Canada Line | Completed - Page 406

Pinion · #**8101** Posted **Aug 18, 2009, 2:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr.x

images from buzzer:

That was the view I was looking at most of the day from work, wondering how I would get to the seabus. Luckily they cleared a path through the Seymour/Cordova entrance. Everything seemed to be well-organized to me.

mr. x, what is your regular job? A little bit of chaos is expected with these things.

I just walked through the waterfront station on my way to work and out the other side (only about 10 people in it at 6:45am). That'll be my new way to walk to work for sure. Much nicer than through Granville square, then hoping I don't get run over by drivers who ignore red lights on Hastings and Pender at that time in the morning.

What's the purpose of the giant underground empty space on its own level before the Granville street entrance/exit though? It seemed unnecessarily large.

To fit in more beggars maybe?

red-paladin · #**8102** Posted **Aug 18, 2009, 2:46 PM**

I may be exaggerating a bit, but yes, I really heard people talking about the short length of the stations (especially the ones which are 40m and not 50m, as we went through it.

metroXpress · #**8103** Posted **Aug 18, 2009, 3:13 PM**

terrible..(the lineups )..I was at Richmond-Brighouse stn and I lined up for 2.5 hrs to get on the train.

I knew I couldn't go anywhere far because I would have to spend the same amount of time catching a train back. Therefore, feeling like the dumbest person in the world, I hop off at Aberdeen stn and made my way back to Richmond centre...

I wonder how many people rode the 99 B line yesterday because they didn't want to catch a train back?

Overall, it was very smooth and quiet and I am looking forward to riding it in the future when it is not so crowded.

amor de cosmos · #**8104** Posted **Aug 18, 2009, 3:16 PM**

gordon price's 1st impressions: (he thought the platforms were short also)
http://pricetags.wordpress.com/2009/08/17/canada-line-opening-first-impressions/

Wooster · #**8105** Posted **Aug 18, 2009, 3:26 PM**

Has there been thought to increasing the train's length? They're very short- almost like streetcars.

DKaz · #**8106** Posted **Aug 18, 2009, 3:28 PM**

I decided to take a short ride from Waterfront to Broadway-City Hall then back to Vancouver City Centre to walk to work. I was extremely impressed. Somehow I thought it would take 5 minutes to get from Yaletown to Olympic Village Station. I remember how much of hassle it used to be to go to City Hall to apply for a building permit... now all I have to do is walk 10 minutes to Vancouver City Centre Station, take a short 5 minute train ride, walk a few minutes and I'm there. Now if only they can shorten the one hour wait at the permits department.

Tested iPhone 3GS speed from Olympic Village to Yaletown Station... 1.8Mbps! That's on a train going at full speed. Other than for one little blip which I assumed was the transition from one cell mini-tower to another, it was fast. I was pleasantly surprised seeing how Telus installed the towers, I was scared that I would only get EDGE at most and only EVDO not HSPA would work so

. If only they can get these things on the Expo Line as well.

One observation... you could clearly tell which trains came from Richmond and which ones came from YVR as the trains from Richmond were packed yet the trains from YVR had plenty of seats to spare. This will probably change a bit once suburban buses are diverted to Bridgeport Station.

I counted a few people wheeling luggage to the trains, but I'm still not convinced that there are enough YVR bound passengers to justify 7 minute frequencies to the airport. It should be 3.5/7 minutes for the Richmond section and 10.5 minutes for the airport section.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wooster

Has there been thought to increasing the train's length? They're very short- almost like streetcars.

Not for the time being, and even then the trains can only be lengthened by about 15 metres with one middle C-Car. I think the first focus will be to double the frequencies before they think about lengthening the trains.

twoNeurons · #**8107** Posted **Aug 18, 2009, 4:04 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DKaz

One observation... you could clearly tell which trains came from Richmond and which ones came from YVR as the trains from Richmond were packed yet the trains from YVR had plenty of seats to spare. This will probably change a bit once suburban buses are diverted to Bridgeport Station.

The trains were packed on day 1? I can't wait to see ridership numbers.

satishreddy · #**8108** Posted **Aug 18, 2009, 4:16 PM**

I rode the line early this morning - from about 5:45 - 7:00. I started at 49th and went to Brighouse, then Brighouse to Waterfront, then back to 49th. Not too many people at that time.

Some observations:

Trains are roomy - noticeably larger than Mark II trains
Ride is reasonably smooth
Platforms are short - train length = platform length at 49th station. I don't see how longer trains can be used. How can one add a middle car as has been suggested?
Annoucements are clear
Stations are very bland - do people know of plans for art, historical photos?
In the above ground parts, one can see that that there is lots of room for transit oriented development.

In general, I am quite impressed with what I saw and am proud that we have this great addition to our city.

DKaz · #**8109** Posted **Aug 18, 2009, 4:34 PM**

I wouldn't say as packed as an Expo Line train but there were quite a few standees. I expect it to get busier after September 7th.

I can see the Canada Line attracting more of the upper middle class than skytrain. The stations are bland yes but they're clean and architecturally appealing. The trains are really quiet.

All stations are either 50m in length already or they're 40m in length with provisions to be extended to 50m. With the underground stations, it's just a matter of knocking out a wall and building the platform out, no digging required.

quobobo · #**8110** Posted **Aug 18, 2009, 4:53 PM**

I took a train to Waterfront this morning (arriving around 8:40), it was pretty empty for what should be rush hour. Tons of standing room, a few empty seats. Maybe it was coming from YVR - did anyone ride from Richmond this morning?

SpongeG · #**8111** Posted **Aug 18, 2009, 5:05 PM**

people are so cheap - its only $3.75 couldn't they wait

arashi_1987 · #**8112** Posted **Aug 18, 2009, 5:17 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpongeG

people are so cheap - its only $3.75 couldn't they wait

Well it's kind of a celebration eh? It's only exciting when everyone crowds onto the trains.

Allen: Yeah I know two bus commuting friends (1 on 98B and 1 on the 4xx bus) who got off work from downtown and gave up on the new trains because the lines were too long. They really wanted to take the train...I hope they got a chance this morning.

Pinion · #**8113** Posted **Aug 18, 2009, 5:19 PM**

I'm going to take the train from Waterfront to City Centre during my lunch break.

Wonder if it'll be faster than walking.

arashi_1987 · #**8114** Posted **Aug 18, 2009, 5:23 PM**

Gonna meet up with a friend to take the line from City Centre to Aberdeen. I am pretty excited!!! Hope there's huge crowds so I can hold my camera : )

Denscity · #**8115** Posted **Aug 18, 2009, 5:52 PM**

I was watching CTV news channel last night and there is some pretty jealous people in Toronto and Montreal, especially Toronto.

Apparently Toronto will have to wait 7 years for their train to the airport.

metroXpress · #**8116** Posted **Aug 18, 2009, 5:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wooster

Has there been thought to increasing the train's length? They're very short- almost like streetcars.

SpongeG · #**8117** Posted **Aug 18, 2009, 6:16 PM**

i think it was ctv that showed some copuple who arrived from toronto and used it to get downtown from YVR - they timed it just right

Distill3d · #**8118** Posted **Aug 18, 2009, 6:17 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denscity

I was watching CTV news channel last night and there is some pretty jealous people in Toronto and Montreal, especially Toronto.

Apparently Toronto will have to wait 7 years for their train to the airport.

I especially loved what the one guy said:

"Why is Vancouver getting this before us? Aren't we the biggest city? Doesn't everyone come here? Like really, who the hell goes to Vancouver?"

Yume-sama · #**8119** Posted **Aug 18, 2009, 6:18 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Distill3d

I especially loved what the one guy said:

"Why is Vancouver getting this before us? Aren't we the biggest city? Doesn't everyone come here? Like really, who the hell goes to Vancouver?"

The Toronto attitude finally captured on television!!

It is truly shocking how many cities in Canada don't have transportation to the airport. I hope Calgary gets one

jozero · #**8120** Posted **Aug 18, 2009, 6:20 PM**

I do have a concern with the new transit posters up at Waterfront. It has all the transport options and says Seabus Lonsdale Quay on the poster. Then a large red line slashes in front of it indicating 'you are here' pointing to Waterfront. The Seabus Londsale Quay indicator is to the left of the line, to the right of the line in larger print it says North Vancouver, directly below it it has the West Coast Express Line to Mission.

If I was tourist or new to the city no way I would associate Seabus Lonsdale Quay with going to North Vancouver. It completely looks like a person should be catching the West Coast Express.

There needs to be more signage indicating the seabus goes to and from the North Shore and that Lonsdale Quay means North Vancouver. The poster needs to be modified. Can't find a link to the poster, but its the section in waterfront at the doors where you can continue to the West Coast Express, the Seabus, or Expo / Millennium lines.