Vancouver Downtown Streetcar | Proposed

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by BaddieB

Because it has to stop at red lights, and there are a high frequency of intersections downtown because of the street grid. Every red light slows down the average speed. The Skytrain goes 80kmh between stations, yet its average speed is half that at 40kmh because of 20 second stops at stations one to two kilometers apart. Now scale that with red lights every couple of blocks with a streetcar going at max speeds of only 30 to 50.

The main dedicated ROW spot for the streetcar is from OV to Granville Island. There are minimal crossings there, and the streetcar should get priority anyway.

[WarrenC12]

My point is that the streetcar as seen in the Olympic demo line, literally has a dedicated ROW that isn't even available to buses. It's rail, and it has zero traffic. In theory that should be a huge advantage in Vancouver traffic. I'd argue any report is discounting that unfairly if it's showing similar travel times to a bus.

[Migrant_Coconut]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

The main dedicated ROW spot for the streetcar is from OV to Granville Island. There are minimal crossings there, and the streetcar should get priority anyway.

That's the part city planners wanted to redevelop. If they had their way, the new ROW would take two lanes from 6th.

[VancouverOfTheFuture]

Originally Posted by SFUVancouver

Shame to hear that the South Lake Union Tram might be going away.

thats funny. when they named that, someone much have known and either didnt say anything to anyone else, or they decided to do it because its funny. no way that was not seen.

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

That's the part city planners wanted to redevelop. If they had their way, the new ROW would take two lanes from 6th.

which is asinine and literally retarded. not even figuratively. 6th becoming a 2 lane road is literally retarded.

it should be illegal for any arterial road to not be a minimum of 4 lanes.

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

That's the part city planners wanted to redevelop. If they had their way, the new ROW would take two lanes from 6th.

The city planning department hasn't suggested reducing the West 6th right of way to 2 lanes.

In 2021 the city's real estate services department (not the planning department), proposed an approach for developing the vacant areas of False Creek South, including the right of way parallel with West 6th, and the berm that runs alongside.

The report, which wasn't supported by Council, suggested that West 6th might be redesigned with better landscaping , pedestrian and bike infrastructure. It's main proposal was for the rail right of way to be relocated to alongside the street, on the north side. That would free up land for additional development to the north of the relocated rail right of way.

[mcj]

Someone did a FOI request that the city posted earlier this year related to this. It would seem the city considered but then declined doing another streetcar trial during FIFA 2026, however it does seem like they are still engaging on this to potential run a trial after. I wonder if we'll see some streetcar related promises in the upcoming election.

[GenWhy?]

Interesting:

"Recently, the City has been approached by three private entities interested in submitting proposals to operate a streetcar along this corridor by leveraging the existing infrastructure for a limited duration trial.

A trial would provide the City with an opportunity to gain valuable insights into modern transit technology and operational efficiencies. These learnings could inform potential future expansions of the system, connecting additional key destinations and enhancing sustainable urban transit options. Importantly, these trials would require minimal effort and resources on the part of the City. The proposed streetcar alignments for trial and potential future extensions are shown in Appendix A

Proponents and City’s Role in an Unsolicited Streetcar Trial

The proponents would assume all the key risks associated with this trial, and will be responsible to obtain permitting, install, operate, maintain, fund, and after the trial remove the streetcar and infrastructure as required. The City’s role is limited to in-kind support, specifically and limited to, right-of-way provision and staff assistance. No financial support from the City will be provided. At this time, revenue-sharing is not contemplated given the temporary nature of the trial and the City is not prepared to financially contribute. "