Canada Line | Completed

[jozero]

People are complaining that the opening was a huge hit ?? Too many people here inspired by Yogi Berra. "No one goes there nowadays, it's too crowded."

I for one thought it was an awesome event. We should be thrilled that many people showed up to check out transit. In every crowd I was in people were patient, having a good time, and excited to try it out. This free day could convince a few people to get out of their cars and start taking transit which will only lead to more infrastructure getting built. For a North American city this level of excitement is virtually unheard of.

Kudos to whoever dreamed up introducing the Canada line in this fashion, I saw so many kids excited to get those passports stamped. And a huge thumbs up to the people who built the entire line.

I live in North Van Lower Lonsdale. To me the seabus to Canada Line doesn't just mean easy access to the Airport, but a whole new city to explore in Richmond. I hope Richmond just explodes density wise, that essentially the temporary structural madness of the Night Market becomes an Asian inspired mega street along 3rd. All made possible by the crowds coming in due to the Canada line.

[deasine]

Originally Posted by satishreddy

Regarding system capacity, we will see in the next few weeks, particularly after the bus connections are put in place on Labour Day, how things work out. Based on what I have read, trains will operate at 4 minute intervals between Bridgeport and Waterfront during peak times, alternating going to Richmond and the airport. People with technical knowledge of the system, can this interval be reduced to 2 minute intervals, if there are enough trains? If yes, can't capacity be doubled by doubling the number of trains?

I believe two minute intervals would be a bit of an issue because of the single tracking at both ends of the Canada Line. It technically could be possible for sure between Waterfront-Bridgeport, especially since they could be short turning trains at Bridgeport Stn.

[hollywoodnorth]

Go Gordo go!

Vancouver finally turns into a big city....

[Metro-One]

I believe two minute intervals would be a bit of an issue because of the single tracking at both ends of the Canada Line. It technically could be possible for sure between Waterfront-Bridgeport, especially since they could be short turning trains at Bridgeport Stn.

I do believe 90 second intervals are possible on the stretch from waterfront to bridgeport, that gives any train 3 minutes to enter the single track, unload and load, and then return to the double track. This is quite feasible. They just have to have an attendant at YVR and bridgehouse ensuring no idiots hold the doors open for an extended period of time (essentially, keep them on schedule).


As for the 85 000 estimated trips, the real number is probably much higher seeing how many people simply would have sat down, rode the train back and forth with out leaving (essentially counting as two trips).

[satishreddy]

Quote:
Originally Posted by satishreddy
Regarding system capacity, we will see in the next few weeks, particularly after the bus connections are put in place on Labour Day, how things work out. Based on what I have read, trains will operate at 4 minute intervals between Bridgeport and Waterfront during peak times, alternating going to Richmond and the airport. People with technical knowledge of the system, can this interval be reduced to 2 minute intervals, if there are enough trains? If yes, can't capacity be doubled by doubling the number of trains?

I believe two minute intervals would be a bit of an issue because of the single tracking at both ends of the Canada Line. It technically could be possible for sure between Waterfront-Bridgeport, especially since they could be short turning trains at Bridgeport Stn.


Deasine:

4 minute intervals between Bridgeport and Waterfront means trains leaving Richmond Brighouse at 8 minute intervals and YVR at 8 minute intervals. Given that there is single track at these ends of the line, 8 minutes should be enough for a turn around. Suppose the number of trains were doubled, then one could have trains leave thse endpoints at 4 minute intervals each. Given the single tracking at these ends, are you saying 4 minutes is not enough?

Anyways, I think by adding more trains and turning them around at appropriate places, one could increase the capacity of the system without having to increase station platform length.

[mr.x]

The single-tracking sections require a 3-4 minute turn around, definitely not 8 minutes. Single-tracking is only 640-metres or about three Downtown Vancouver city blocks.


For some reason, I had to deal with an angry crowd at YVR...even though my colleagues didn't experience the same when it was their turn. How was the average crowd mood on the rest of the line/line-ups?

[Metro-One]

The Waterfront crowd was extremely friendly and social. It really was a great community event.

[nname]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

I do believe 90 second intervals are possible on the stretch from waterfront to bridgeport, that gives any train 3 minutes to enter the single track, unload and load, and then return to the double track. This is quite feasible. They just have to have an attendant at YVR and bridgehouse ensuring no idiots hold the doors open for an extended period of time (essentially, keep them on schedule).

The train I took to the airport was actually the second of two back-to-back airport trains that was 2 minutes apart (I checked the display on Sea Island station and it was showing the first train arriving in 2 min, and the second in 4min). When the train get to the single track section, the previous train just passed beside us and there is no waiting except for a bit of slow down (I think it was more to do with the track switching). So I think running train at 3 min apart is definitely possible.


PS. The Yaletown crowd is pretty nice too..

[CLC]

Originally Posted by mr.x

How was the average crowd mood on the rest of the line/line-ups?

Festival atmosphere: All three Downtown stations + Broadway
patient passengers line-ups in all stations at time I used or visited outside (no line-up at Olympic)

Richmond news (online article) reported some "pushing incident" right before the line open at Brighouse

[mr.x]

^ lucky you.

I guess I just really had a very bad batch of people at YVR during my shift.

[mr.x]

from the buzzer:

[Vancity]

Originally Posted by jozero

People are complaining that the opening was a huge hit ?? Too many people here inspired by Yogi Berra. "No one goes there nowadays, it's too crowded."

I for one thought it was an awesome event. We should be thrilled that many people showed up to check out transit. In every crowd I was in people were patient, having a good time, and excited to try it out. This free day could convince a few people to get out of their cars and start taking transit which will only lead to more infrastructure getting built. For a North American city this level of excitement is virtually unheard of.

Kudos to whoever dreamed up introducing the Canada line in this fashion, I saw so many kids excited to get those passports stamped. And a huge thumbs up to the people who built the entire line.

I live in North Van Lower Lonsdale. To me the seabus to Canada Line doesn't just mean easy access to the Airport, but a whole new city to explore in Richmond. I hope Richmond just explodes density wise, that essentially the temporary structural madness of the Night Market becomes an Asian inspired mega street along 3rd. All made possible by the crowds coming in due to the Canada line.

Yeah, I hope Richmond explodes in density too! There's a ton of potential for Richmond to be a great city. I don't know how they would bring the Night Market closer to transit, but if they could do that, it would be an amazing experience for downtown Richmond. Couldn't they hold the Night Market at the Lansdowne Parking lot? They held it there a few years back, didn't they?

The area the Night Market is held right now, is not near any of the Canada Line stations, so it simply encourages people to drive their cars. IF the city of Richmond can get the Night Market closer to the C-Line, that would be fantastic for people who would like to get there by transit.

[CLC]

Waterfront station line-up at Granville Square
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDNHBjKGhhI
Note this video by Georgia Straight revealed only 1/4 length of the line-up

[zivan56]

After going up and down Cambie street taking pictures and updating progress for many years, I am kind of sad it is done
Despite not agreeing with some aspects of the line, I am glad we are finally getting rapid transit in this part of Vancouver, which desperately needs it. Too bad I am in Europe until the 27th, so I will have to wait to test it out!

[raggedy13]

Thanks to all who rode it and posted pictures! I checked out Waterfront and VCC in the hopes of getting a quick ride in during my lunch break, and again after getting off work, but no such luck of course. Perhaps tomorrow...

[hollywoodnorth]

just over 1 hour till she opens for REAL!

again lets all thank Gordo and Falco for their bold leadership in bringing us this line. Hear Hear!

[lightrail]

Originally Posted by satishreddy

Thanks for all the pictures folks. I am extremely excited to try things in the next few days.

Regarding system capacity, we will see in the next few weeks, particularly after the bus connections are put in place on Labour Day, how things work out. Based on what I have read, trains will operate at 4 minute intervals between Bridgeport and Waterfront during peak times, alternating going to Richmond and the airport. People with technical knowledge of the system, can this interval be reduced to 2 minute intervals, if there are enough trains? If yes, can't capacity be doubled by doubling the number of trains?

Depends on the software, but I'd say yes it can - and probably even less with headways similar to Skytrain. But, there aren't enough trains. There are 20 trains; by my estimate of an average round trip of 55 minutes (allow recovery time, not much needed on an automated system), then 28 in service trains (so actually have at least 30 trains) are needed for 2 minute headway.

[lightrail]

Originally Posted by hollywoodnorth

just over 1 hour till she opens for REAL!

again lets all thank Gordo and Falco for their bold leadership in bringing us this line. Hear Hear!

Let's thank the people of BC and Canada for spending $2 billion on the line, not these two idiots

[DKaz]

Interesting that the Expo Line easily handles 85,000 people in 8 hours while the Canada Line chokes. Of course we're not expecting Expo Line loads but it's not going to be long before we need more trains I think. Is the consortium responsible for maintaining reasonable service including acquiring more vehicles?

[twoNeurons]

My journey started at 3:00PM

I took the train from King Edward ( Joyce to Nanaimo, #25 to King Edward )

As I walked toward the end of the line there was a very elderly couple (the husband looked like he could barely stand). An attendant went up to them and answered a question about the return trip. In passing he said the Northbound lineup was non-existent. Like BCPhil, fate was calling, so I walked back to the station. At that station, I'm pretty sure people didn't realize there were two lines.

Anyway, I got down to the platform and got on the first train and then decided not to take it. I wanted to look around the station. Then... I realized some people were taking the return trip Southbound. So I followed the people getting off the train to the Southbound platform ( it was a double stacked platform ).

As the train entered the light, there was an audible "oooohhhh" People prefer elevated trains. Well, at least those riding them do. I got off at Marine because I was afraid I wouldn't get back without huge lineups. I wanted to go to YVR. Oh well. The lineup Southbound wasn't too long, but they weren't letting people up to the platform often because the trains were full. Northbound, again, had 0 people in the lineup.

I talked to a guy with two small girls on the train and they did a cross transfer at Bridgeport. I realize that I too should've taken it to Bridgeport which had a centre platform (perfect for cross transfers). C'est la vie.

I was at the front of the train. I must have been on the train right in front of BCPhil. It stopped right before Yaletown Station. We could see the train in front at the station... I imagine we were waiting there under False Creek for about 10 minutes. Got to Vancouver City Centre Station, then I hopped on an Expo Line train and got back to Joyce to jump on a bus home 60 seconds after my 1-zone ticket expired. He let me on.

There you have it. A complete trip with minimal waiting on opening day on one transit ticket in just over 90 minutes.

Observations

• Asians love waiting for things (Noticed a LOT of Asians, but more elderly than I expected too)
• The station announcements were cool.
• Everything smelled like fresh underground parking concrete dust
• The displays were fantastic (and necessary given the crappy late night frequencies)
• The tunnel was all curvy and funky. The front window gave you a great view.
• The track down to Waterfront looks like a rollercoaster at one point.
• You are very aware when you plunge down under False Creek.
• The trains seemed slow to accelerate.
• There needs to be an overhead horizontal bar because the train is so wide.