Metro Vancouver Transit Discussion II

[NewfBC]

Spending almost a billion dollars on a new South Vancouver waterfront bus depot for battery electric buses isn't setting a good example for a transit authority in financial difficulty.

They say these buses will replace current diesel buses.. why not retrofit those existing facilities where those diesel buses currently park, in phases, to bring in the battery electric buses over a number of years...

Ron.

[mcj]

While I'm sure TransLink already has plans for the funds, it would make sense for them to do right of way acquisitions for future projects. Specifically things like right of way acquisitions along Willingdon to quickly expand the active transportation infrastructure but also helping to bring down costs for future projects.

[madog222]

Originally Posted by NewfBC

why not retrofit those existing facilities where those diesel buses currently park, in phases, to bring in the battery electric buses over a number of years...

Ron.

That sounds extremely inefficient. It would end up costing much more especially as new ICE buses would need to be purchased and subsequently fueled for the entirety of their 20 year service life.

[Tvisforme]

Originally Posted by whatnext

...And if you lose money on each rider then more riders = more losses...

Not necessarily; if a money-losing nearly empty route becomes a popular, packed route, then you would get more revenue that would decrease the loss.

[nname]

Originally Posted by NewfBC

Spending almost a billion dollars on a new South Vancouver waterfront bus depot for battery electric buses isn't setting a good example for a transit authority in financial difficulty.

They say these buses will replace current diesel buses.. why not retrofit those existing facilities where those diesel buses currently park, in phases, to bring in the battery electric buses over a number of years...

Ron.

You are confused about the capital coat and the operating cost. Translink was never short of money for the capital project since provincial and federal government will always contribute for the photo ops. But no one care about operating cost. There will be money to buy new buses and build new depots, but there won't be money to operate them. If Translink pass on the opportunity for the infrastructures, then the money will just go to shiny new buses in.. say Toronto, which also short in money to operate them....

[aberdeen5698]

Originally Posted by NewfBC

...why not retrofit those existing facilities where those diesel buses currently park, in phases, to bring in the battery electric buses over a number of years...

As any condo owner who has an electric vehicle will tell you, retrofitting charging infrastructure into an existing building is very, very expensive. When you're talking about all of the depots that Coast Mountain runs, it adds up to a heckuva lot of money.

I have no idea what their plans are beyond the Marpole Transit Center, but as the existing fleet is replaced with electric buses over the coming decades it may be that as the older transit centres empty out they can be redeveloped with the necessary charging infrastructure one by one.

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by aberdeen5698

As any condo owner who has an electric vehicle will tell you, retrofitting charging infrastructure into an existing building is very, very expensive. When you're talking about all of the depots that Coast Mountain runs, it adds up to a heckuva lot of money.

I have no idea what their plans are beyond the Marpole Transit Center, but as the existing fleet is replaced with electric buses over the coming decades it may be that as the older transit centres empty out they can be redeveloped with the necessary charging infrastructure one by one.

Charging infrastructure is being added to the Port Coquitlam bus depot for an initial 100 buses, but the new Marpole depot is on another level of complexity as it has all the maintenance facilities for the new fleet of battery powered buses. As the new buses replace the diesel fleet, the plan is to steadily convert existing depots for the new fleet.

[cganuelas1995]

What are the chances my early morning ride on the 5 to Waterfront is gonna be fucked?

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by cganuelas1995

What are the chances my early morning ride on the 5 to Waterfront is gonna be fucked?

There was a #5 bus running in both directions before 7.00am. Obviously they may be running slower.

[cganuelas1995]

Originally Posted by Changing City

There was a #5 bus running in both directions before 7.00am. Obviously they may be running slower.

Yeah google maps says 10 minute delays on my morning commute stop

[Vantage]

A few columns for the guideway flyover at OMC5 now have their forms removed

[jollyburger]

Crane dismantle around East Hastings caused a rectifier station for the trolley buses to get overloaded. (Translink said it was down trolley lines)

https://www.reddit.com/r/vancouver/comments/1il3roi/if_you_are_waiting_for_a_bus_that_travels_thru/

[Sheba]

Take the Burrard Peninsula Area Transport Plan Phase 2 survey from February 10 to March 9, 2025.

The Burrard Peninsula Area Transport Plan (BP ATP) will identify and prioritize recommended actions related to bus service, cycling, walking, and goods movement for the transportation network within the Burrard Peninsula. This area encompasses Burnaby, New Westminster, Vancouver, and the University of British Columbia (UBC) and the surrounding University Endowment Lands (UEL), which are part of Electoral Area A.

[Mac Write]

Any updates as to when the Mark V Skytrains will enter service?

Also any info about digital compass cards?

[mcj]

Originally Posted by Sheba

Take the Burrard Peninsula Area Transport Plan Phase 2 survey from February 10 to March 9, 2025.

Liking the increase in Express Bus routes in this, although I think they shouldn't get rid of the 84. That's a few steps forward, but one back.

[madog222]

Originally Posted by mcj

Liking the increase in Express Bus routes in this, although I think they shouldn't get rid of the 84. That's a few steps forward, but one back.

I see very little need for the 84 once the skytrain extension to UBC is open. It would offer superior service to the alternatives to a very small amount of riders, if any. The resources can be better used elsewhere.

[Migrant_Coconut]

Originally Posted by mcj

Liking the increase in Express Bus routes in this, although I think they shouldn't get rid of the 84. That's a few steps forward, but one back.

Document says they're effectively splitting the 4 in two, with the south branch going down 6th instead and duplicating the 84's route (frequency TBD). So it's effectively the status quo but with more brand confusion.

[DKaz]

Does anyone remember the non stop super express that used to run between UBC and Broadway maybe until the mid to late 2000s when it was canceled due to low ridership? I thought it was the number 31 but I can't dig up old information about it.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by DKaz

Does anyone remember the non stop super express that used to run between UBC and Broadway maybe until the mid to late 2000s when it was canceled due to low ridership? I thought it was the number 31 but I can't dig up old information about it.

This?

September 2003 - 99S Special non-stop service introduced operating between Broadway Station and UBC (with one intermediate stop at Wesbrook Mall) during peak hours only in the peak direction,[8] running every 6 minute in the AM peak and every 10 minutes in the PM peak. Introduction of all-door boarding at Broadway Station and UBC Loop

December 2005 - 99S Special discontinued and replaced with improved regular 99 B-Line servic

https://cptdb.ca/wiki/index.php/Coast_Mo...ial_-_Broadway_Station_/_UBC_(B-Line)%27

[cganuelas1995]

Would be nice to do more all door boarding, at least at the stops downtown.