Canada Line | Completed

[twoNeurons]

Interesting. I was just under that impression, that if it was used as an adjective as opposed to a noun. For example, could someone selling olympic-sized swimming pools be subject to trademark infringement? On the other hand, Canadian Tire selling a 5-ring shaped "2010 Olympics" swimming pool I could understand.

Thinking now, however, "Olympic line" would pretty much be constituted a proper name.

[officedweller]

Yeah, one of the problems that trademark owners have to prevent is allowing the trademark to enter the common lexicon so as to be generic.
i.e. Kleenex is synonymous with facial tissue; and Xerox with photocopy

If the trademark becomes a generic term, it is grounds for expunging (invalidating) the trademark, because it no longer represents the source of the goods or services.

[Jared]

Originally Posted by mr.x2

Just got back from Hong Kong.....the MTR is amazing. They announce everything in three languages: Cantonese, Mandarin, and English. And unlike our system, the announcements are clear and loud.

They announce the next station 5-10 secs after departing the previous station: "Next station, Central."

"Please mind the gap between the station and the platform."

They also announce all interchanges at stations. The acceleration and speed is amazingly fast and the trains are smooth and extremely quiet. Platforms/trains are 3x longer than our platforms.....and the turnstiles and station concourses are just amazing....wow.

I actually got rather exasperated hearing the announcements 3 times over, but I suppose rules are rules.

The system itself is nothing short of incredible though, definately a model to follow.

[en2]

Originally Posted by Jared

I actually got rather exasperated hearing the announcements 3 times over, but I suppose rules are rules.

The system itself is nothing short of incredible though, definately a model to follow.

Especially the Octopus Card, you can use it at McDonalds, clothing shops, fast food. Can add money buy just going to 7-Eleven.

And in-town airport check-in, what a great service, bring your luggage to check in at the train station and you are bascially free to wonder the airport until your flight.

I don't know why Translink or InTransitBC look towards Asia for a model, they seem to be looking to copy America's lousy transit systems.

By the way, are we going to get a smart card system when the Canada Line opens in 2009, it doesn't seem like it so far....

Is the Canada Line going to be billingual since its the "Canada Line" and has federal money...?

[SpongeG]

i don't think they announce stations or next one etc in london - from what i recall you just have to pay attention to the map and the stations

same with san francisco - i don't recall any announcements

[mr.x]

"Mind the gap..." How big is the gap?

the gap is actually pretty big.....about 3 inches at the stations i have been.

even the escalators have their own automated announcements...."Please hold on to the hand rail.....The end of the escalator is near, please watch your step." ....in both English and Cantonese.




The IOC allowed Grouse Mountain to name its newest lift the "Olympic Express" or something like that.....and they also allowed "Olympic Village Station" for the new Line. I don't see why they wouldn't allow "Olympic Line", especially since we're a host city.

I don't know why Translink or InTransitBC look towards Asia for a model, they seem to be looking to copy America's lousy transit systems.

By the way, are we going to get a smart card system when the Canada Line opens in 2009, it doesn't seem like it so far.

The smart card was in the plans for 2009, but that definetely won't happen that soon....either way with the old Translink or the new Translink. Eventually, it will be implemented.

[zivan56]

Originally Posted by mr.x2

Just got back from Hong Kong.....the MTR is amazing. They announce everything in three languages: Cantonese, Mandarin, and English. And unlike our system, the announcements are clear and loud.

They announce the next station 5-10 secs after departing the previous station: "Next station, Central."

"Please mind the gap between the station and the platform."

They also announce all interchanges at stations.

If Translink wants to lose passengers, then they can go for it. The Skytrain has that obnoxious next station announcement, which either doesn't announce, or announces at max volume. What is the point? There are huge signs at each station and a map above the door. I would understand if it was a bus, but the Skytrain has a fixed number of stations, and anyone with the skills of a 2 year old would be able to count and use the map to figure out where they are.
Nothing worse than that annoying voice in the morning every couple of minutes. If it was in multiple languages, that would definitely be a big turn off for most people. IMO they should just get rid of any announcements unless they relate to service disruptions.

[Nutterbug]

Originally Posted by zivan56

If Translink wants to lose passengers, then they can go for it. The Skytrain has that obnoxious next station announcement, which either doesn't announce, or announces at max volume. What is the point? There are huge signs at each station and a map above the door. I would understand if it was a bus, but the Skytrain has a fixed number of stations, and anyone with the skills of a 2 year old would be able to count and use the map to figure out where they are.
Nothing worse than that annoying voice in the morning every couple of minutes. If it was in multiple languages, that would definitely be a big turn off for most people. IMO they should just get rid of any announcements unless they relate to service disruptions.

The Skytrain isn't a place to sleep.

The announcements will be especially helpful with the Canada Line, since most of the run will be underground, and you can't easily tell your stop from the scenery.

[squeezied]

plus not everyone can read english, unfortunately. think of old asian grannies

[Nutterbug]

Originally Posted by squeezied

plus not everyone can read english, unfortunately. think of old asian grannies

Learn the language and adapt to the society around you. Don't expect it to adapt to you.

[twoNeurons]

Tell that to a blind man.

Anyway, try taking the train during rush-hour standing room only and being short. You can't see what station you're at. Announcements serve a purpose and removing them may not affect you, but would affect others...

I say stations in Richmond should be announced in Chinese and then English. (I'm not asian, by the way)

[Nutterbug]

Originally Posted by tintinium

Tell that to a blind man.

Anyway, try taking the train during rush-hour standing room only and being short. You can't see what station you're at. Announcements serve a purpose and removing them may not affect you, but would affect others...

I say stations in Richmond should be announced in Chinese and then English. (I'm not asian, by the way)

And Skytrain stations in Surrey should be announced in Punjabi then English.

And Evergreen stations should be annonced in Korean and English.

Etc...etc...

Do you really want to set up society to accomodate those who don't make the effort to learn the mainstream language here and be on communicating terms with the rest of us?

[twoNeurons]

Okay okay... only the mainstream language. We'll take out English in Richmond. ;-).

What I find strange is that Montreal doesn't announce in English and Hong Kong and Tokyo does. (Well, I don't REALLY find it strange)

You'll notice, by the way, that ticket machines output in a variety of languages as well.

Anyway, I'm glad you at least didn't disagree that the announcements themselves serve a useful purpose.

I'm all for multi-lingual announcements, personally.

[Nutterbug]

Originally Posted by tintinium

I'm all for multi-lingual announcements, personally.

Shouldn't the onus be on the immigrants to learn our language, and not the other way around on us to provide services for them in theirs? If they wanted to live the ways of their old country, they should have stayed there. By not learning English, they're practically snubbing the rest of us. Yet they come here thinking they can have their cake and eat it too by carving out their own ethnic enclaves in our country.

[bils]

Originally Posted by Nutterbug

Shouldn't the onus be on the immigrants to learn our language, and not the other way around on us to provide services for them in theirs? If they wanted to live the ways of their old country, they should have stayed there. By not learning English, they're practically snubbing the rest of us. Yet they come here thinking they can have their cake and eat it too by carving out their own ethnic enclaves in our country.

Dude, I'm not sure if your argument is really relevant to the debate that we're having here. Truth is that many of the passengers will be Asian, and whether you like it or not, many of them will not speak English. "Learning English" is a difficult task for anyone who didn't grow up here, and I don't think that having Chinese on the Canada Line is a reflection of immigrants' inability to learn our language.

Perhaps you should travel to just about any other country in the world, and notice the prevalence of English, even in societies where hardly anyone understands it, and reflect upon the convenience it provides you as a visitor.

Remember that the Canada Line will be a gateway for many international tourists who do not speak English and may be confused when they arrive.

I am personally a Canadian-born Chinese (how's my English?), so forgive me for my bias, but I feel that having multiple languages on the Canada Line would be a wonderful reflection of the multiculturalism, diversity, and international appeal that Vancouver boasts.

Also, please note that if it wasn't for these "immigrants carving out their ethnic enclaves in our country", this Canada Line thread would probably belong somewhere in the Dreams section of SSP. Perhaps you're the one who wants to have their cake and eat it too.

[crazyjoeda]

Originally Posted by tintinium

I say stations in Richmond should be announced in Chinese and then English. (I'm not asian, by the way)

I say for the whole of the Canada Line, there is a large Chinese population in Richmond that will be using the Canada Line. I think that having announcments in both English and Chinese will increase ridership.

[MistyMountainHop]

Why not have it for the whole system? There's a large enough population that would benefit. (And maybe add Punjabi as well)

[vanman]

Originally Posted by Nutterbug

Yet they come here thinking they can have their cake and eat it too by carving out their own ethnic enclaves in our country.

What exactly is wrong with ethnic enclaves? Every great city has them. It is not as if early European immigrants didn't do the same thing as well. For newcomers it is natural for them to search out for a community that is most reflective of where they came from, which helps them get adjusted to their new lives. Over time, mainly through school/work these people will make connections with people outside their communities and blend in better with the general society.

BTW, one of the things Canada prides itself on is being a mosaic of cultures rather than a melting pot. Are society does not require people to assimilate into one culture, but rather, we respect all cultures. Why do you think Canada as a whole has had very little racial tension compared to the United States or France, even though per capita we take in more immigrants than any other industrialized country in the world.

[mr.x]

I'd say do all the announcements in English and Chinese, possibly even some signage too. But the question is, Cantonese or Mandarin?

[SpongeG]

hiw about we hire people to go and escort each person on and off the system they can choose from the language of their choice