City to build permanent LRT parking lots

Demand is pushing the City of Edmonton to re-think plans for park-and-ride facilities on LRT lines.

Transit officials are now planning to build long-term park-and-ride lots along new LRT routes, because many commuters drive to stations rather than taking the bus.

"We're looking at all our current lines that are under plan — the west LRT in particular, the south LRT," said Bob Boutilier,  transporation department manager.

"We're going to go back and look at our plans and see what options are available to increase the park and rides."

The Century Park station in Heritage had 1,200 users and a waiting list of 400 within a few weeks of opening, said Boutilier.