Metro Vancouver Transit Discussion II

[chowhou]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

https://www.translink.ca/-/media/transli...h/public-board-meeting-march-26-2025.pdf

Also worth mentioning:

Metrotown to North Shore Rapid Transit: Business case development for the Metrotown to North Shore
(formally Burrard Inlet Rapid Transit) rapid transit program is advancing. This includes significant partner
engagement to confirm the problem statement and objectives of the program as well as preliminary
technical analysis to advance the Bus Rapid Transit component.

Seems according Translink the "Purple Line" southeast terminus is set in stone now.

[ssiguy]

Is this new money from Ottawa for infrastructure or operational costs? Vancouver is already investing in the infrastructure but it's the operational budget that is the problem. You can open new transit lines or bus routes but if you haven't got the money to run them, then ridership will still decline.

When I asked the question about any transit system that is seeing reduced service, a decline in their key demographic riders, a stagnant/declining overall population, higher fares, and amid a slowing/shrinking economy that has not seen ridership declines then, as I stated earlier, I'm all ears. What exactly would make Translink different from any other system? This was not a rhetorical question, I would really like an answer.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by ssiguy

Is this new money from Ottawa for infrastructure or operational costs? Vancouver is already investing in the infrastructure but it's the operational budget that is the problem. You can open new transit lines or bus routes but if you haven't got the money to run them, then ridership will still decline.

When I asked the question about any transit system that is seeing reduced service, a decline in their key demographic riders, a stagnant/declining overall population, higher fares, and amid a slowing/shrinking economy that has not seen ridership declines then, as I stated earlier, I'm all ears. What exactly would make Translink different from any other system? This was not a rhetorical question, I would really like an answer.

I assume this hasn't changed.

TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn called the new money “crucial and needed,” but said the $66-million-a-year cash will go into “already committed projects and it does not solve our operating funding shortfall.”

The federal public transit fund would start paying out some $3 billion a year over 10 years starting in 2026.

In Metro Vancouver, Quinn said the money will help “keep our infrastructure in good condition,” replacing SkyTrain rails, elevators, escalators and bus trolley wires.

https://vancouversun.com/news/federal-translink-funding-663-million-2026

[Sheba]

A short blurb:

However, Quinn has previously said TransLink was facing an annual operational shortfall of $600 million starting next year.

He said last July that without funding to address the gap, transit services would face "significant cuts."

Last March, the B.C. government gave TransLink an injection of $479 million in provincial funding to maintain services and fares.

...

[Migrant_Coconut]

Originally Posted by ssiguy

... reduced service, a decline in their key demographic riders, a stagnant/declining overall population, higher fares, and amid a slowing/shrinking economy that has not seen ridership declines then...

Same answer (except for higher fares): none of these things apply to TransLink.

[griswold]

I dont understand why they are wasting their time with this Metrotown-North Shore BRT line when everyone knows SkyTrain is going to get built there.

[Tvisforme]

Originally Posted by griswold

I dont understand why they are wasting their time with this Metrotown-North Shore BRT line when everyone knows SkyTrain is going to get built there.

BRT can be implemented much, much faster than SkyTrain. While there would be some overlap in terms of cost, some parts of the BRT or RapidBus build could be repurposed elsewhere. Vehicles are easy to reassign and dedicated lanes (such as along Hastings) can be used for other routes.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by griswold

I dont understand why they are wasting their time with this Metrotown-North Shore BRT line when everyone knows SkyTrain is going to get built there.

There's enough demand, infrastructure costs are minimal and SkyTrain will take 20-30 years.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by Changing City;10395116[URL="https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.6693733"

CBC are reporting[/URL] that the Sea to Sky Corridor is also getting $189 over 10 years for transit along the Sea to Sky Corridor.

BC Transit is getting $189 million but only $8 million (over 10 years) will go to the Sea to Sky corridor

https://www.nsnews.com/local-news/sea-to...0-years-for-transit-maintenance-10412858

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

BC Transit is getting $189 million but only $8 million (over 10 years) will go to the Sea to Sky corridor

https://www.nsnews.com/local-news/sea-to...0-years-for-transit-maintenance-10412858

That makes more sense.

[Stainer]

Originally Posted by Tvisforme

BRT can be implemented much, much faster than SkyTrain. While there would be some overlap in terms of cost, some parts of the BRT or RapidBus build could be repurposed elsewhere. Vehicles are easy to reassign and dedicated lanes (such as along Hastings) can be used for other routes.

I wouldn't be surprised at all if if goes from being rapid bus straight to skytrain. The regional benefits of BIRT are too good to pass up on. Could happen much sooner than we think.

[chowhou]

Originally Posted by Stainer

I wouldn't be surprised at all if if goes from being rapid bus straight to skytrain. The regional benefits of BIRT are too good to pass up on. Could happen much sooner than we think.

The political support only continues to get stronger too. North Shore residents want a third crossing ASAP regardless of the transportation mode, and North Burnaby residents want anything other than BRT. Everyone's happy with Skytrain.

[ssiguy]

In other word, ridership is going to decline. All the infrastructure in the world won't stop declining ridership if the service is reduced, the population and economy shrinks, and fares rise. It has happened all over the planet so why people think Vancouver would somehow be different is truly beyond me.

As for BRT, it is a good decision and one that can be implemented relatively quickly at a mere fraction the price of SkyTrain. People forget that BRT reduces operating costs. Due to them being more reliable and faster, the operational costs decline due to, for example, being able to make 6 round trips for the price of 5 right now.

[djmk]

Originally Posted by chowhou

The political support only continues to get stronger too. North Shore residents want a third crossing ASAP regardless of the transportation mode, and North Burnaby residents want anything other than BRT. Everyone's happy with Skytrain.

like ASAP. But i don't think anyone on the north shore expects anything to happen

[Migrant_Coconut]

Originally Posted by ssiguy

In other word, ridership is going to decline. All the infrastructure in the world won't stop declining ridership if the service is reduced, the population and economy shrinks, and fares rise. It has happened all over the planet so why people think Vancouver would somehow be different is truly beyond me.

Again, Vancouver's population is growing, and no service cuts have been announced. Anything more than just hunches backing this up, or is this sour grapes over not getting a pet project?

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

Again, Vancouver's population is growing, and no service cuts have been announced. Anything more than just hunches backing this up, or is this sour grapes over not getting a pet project?

And there's a lot of people who still don't take transit so you could see more upside on converting people for economic/convenience reasons. And unless you expect Canada to go through the great depression then you would think the economy does find some way to pivot/recover in the future to support infrastructure/operating costs.

[Lexus]

2022, Mar 22

TransLink's Marpole Transit Centre bus depot in South Vancouver

This is very expensive foundation, no wonder cost is nearing $1B

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/translink-marpole-transit-centre-bus-depot-vancouver-cost

Untitled by Lexus LX, on Flickr

[NewfBC]

Originally Posted by Lexus

2022, Mar 22

TransLink's Marpole Transit Centre bus depot in South Vancouver

This is very expensive foundation, no wonder cost is nearing $1B

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/translink-marpole-transit-centre-bus-depot-vancouver-cost

Untitled by Lexus LX, on Flickr

Nothing but the best waterfront location for Translink! Never mind the cost.

Ron.

[Tvisforme]

Originally Posted by NewfBC

Nothing but the best waterfront location for Translink! Never mind the cost.

Ron.

Are you being sarcastic? Otherwise, what was the point of your post?

[madog222]

Originally Posted by Tvisforme

Are you being sarcastic? Otherwise, what was the point of your post?

He's attempting to say Translink wastes money.