Posted Sep 11, 2009, 6:53 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 809
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Quote:
COLUMN: There and back again on TransLink's new 351
By Hannah Sutherland - Peace Arch News
Published: September 10, 2009 4:00 PM
Updated: September 10, 2009 4:36 PM
I hadn't even stepped on the bus and already I was having second thoughts.
Ever since controversy arose about the re-routing of Vancouver-bound buses to the Canada Line, I've wondered how efficient – or problematic – the trip would be.
And while it seemed like a good idea to take the route and find out for myself this week for a news article in today's Peace Arch News (page 3), I began to reconsider as I peered out from a Crescent Beach bus stop at 7 a.m. to torrential downpour.
My car, sitting in my driveway across the street, has never looked so lonely.
Considering I took the 351 from that same bus stop into Vancouver for two years while going to college, you'd think certain bus commuter customs – such as standing in extreme weather while checking the time every minute – would have left an imprint.
Wednesday morning, I realized they hadn't, when I suddenly remembered it costs $5 now to get to Vancouver – and bills are virtually worthless on the bus.
After a frantic episode of overturned couch cushions and dumped purse contents – and a particularly chilling battering of rain while standing on the street five minutes later – the bus turned the corner and picked me up. On time, too.
It was reconfirmed my once 'veteran transit commuter' status had fallen to 'amateur bus rider' when I presented my fistful of coins, and didn't pay attention to where I put my transfer.
It took about 20 minutes to get to South Surrey Park and Ride, and the bus was nowhere near full by the time it left at 7:30 a.m.
We arrived at Bridgeport Station just 45 minutes later.
The other passengers knew where to go – presumably from their first transfer the day before – so I followed them into the station and up the escalators.
It was at this point I became separated from the herd, which continued onto the Canada Line platform, when I read the Fare Paid Zone signs and checked my empty pockets for my transfer.
Five bucks down the drain.
I fed the ticket machine a $20 bill, and it kindly gave me my change... in change.
On the platform, a transit employee announced the approaching train from Richmond was full; another from the airport would follow in two minutes.
I waited for the second; it was virtually empty.
Throughout the entire ride to Waterfront Station – which took about 20 minutes – there were seats available.
A public address system was helpful by calling out approaching stops. A transit worker even used it at one point to announce that if there was a Carl on the train, his mother was waiting for him at Waterfront Station.
I bet Carl thought it was helpful, too.
Before turning around at the terminus station to make my way back home to get to my office by deadline, I noted my excursion from Crescent Beach had taken 1½ hours; it had been an hour and ten minutes from the park and ride.
I was extremely impressed with my overall experience until, on the 351 Crescent Beach coming home, the driver stopped at White Rock Centre and kicked everyone off.
Apparently that was as far as that bus was going.
I walked down the block to another stop, and waited 15 minutes for the next bus.
Little did I know, my transfer had expired in this time, and the driver was hesitant to accept it. I pleaded my case, however, and he agreed.
Ironically, the only major roadblock I experienced – the only one not of my own making, that is – was not on the controversial Canada Line, but on the very bus that this community has so loudly campaigned to keep.
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Source: BClocalnews.com
http://www.bclocalnews.com/opinion/58662967.html
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Well if we get the Evergreen Line going we could take that title back again, unless they have more lines opening between now and then.
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