Metro Vancouver Transit Discussion

[usog]

I think we need our version of godwins law: how many posts it takes in a thread before a Japan reference =P

Anyways, just wondering, is it illegal to smoke next to a bus stop? I was waiting at Newton Exchange today and was literally surrounded by them at all directions, it was impossible to be upwind of them while still in the loop =\

[deasine]

Originally Posted by usog

Anyways, just wondering, is it illegal to smoke next to a bus stop? I was waiting at Newton Exchange today and was literally surrounded by them at all directions, it was impossible to be upwind of them while still in the loop =\

The law states that you aren't allowed to smoke within a door, openable window, or air vent intake within 5 metres. Smoking at a bus stop is legal if it meets the above, however, I believe smoking is prohibited on TransLink property. So at Newton Exchange, it would be illegal.

[MistyMountainHop]

Originally Posted by mr.x

^ there's the issue of drug dealing, drug injection, —, bombs...and perhaps, the cost to build and maintain such facilities.

You could solve those first three problems by legalizing drugs and —. Make it safer for everyone.

[tybuilding]

When I was in Sienna Italy a mother let her kid urinate right in the main square area, we had to watch out not to step in it.

[SpongeG]

nice

[David]

As Seinfeld said, "can we just drop the pee pee stuff?" Seriously, I click on this thread hoping to find some kind of update about Metro Vancouver Transit but instead I get to enjoy some wonderfuly commentary about public urination...

[deasine]

Originally Posted by David

As Seinfeld said, "can we just drop the pee pee stuff?" Seriously, I click on this thread hoping to find some kind of update about Metro Vancouver Transit but instead I get to enjoy some wonderfuly commentary about public urination...

Well discussion began from talking about these stories at SkyTrain stations/bus stops... but yes let's change the topic now.

[hollywoodnorth]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qr6qfKwYEJk

if you watch that clip they show a test of the new Skytrain map system saying all the stations, etc AND you hear they have WOODLAND still in the system

[vanman]

Took this from UT:

Originally Posted by wyliepoon

Cheap blue lighting could be used to stop subway suicides instead of expensive platform screen doors? The TTC would love to hear this...

http://inventorspot.com/articles/japan_fights_train_station_suicide_blue_led_lighting_32608

Japan Fights Train Station Suicide with Blue LED Lighting
by Steve Levenstein


Feeling blue? Japan's railways and subways have come up with a bright idea to reduce the number of suicides at train stations: eerie blue LED lighting
that supposedly has a calming effect on suicidal psyches.

Suicides at Japanese train and subway stations are a sadly regular occurrence that, besides being a human tragedy, delay thousands of commuters who depend on the nation's famously punctual trains and subways.

How bad is it? Statistics compiled by one of the country's largest train companies, JR East, show that suicides occurring at it's stations rose from 42 in 2006 to 58 in 2007 and 68 in 2008 - a truly worrisome trend.

Train and subway system operators have installed anti-suicide barriers at many stations but as they don't stop those determined to end their lives so horrifically, the companies are trying out a new tactic: blue lighting on station platforms.

First used at crossings on West Japan Railway Co.'s Hanwa Line in December of 2006, banks of bright blue LED lights have begun to appear at stations in Yokohama, Saitama and Tokyo.

Although evidence that blue lighting actually can uplift the moods of suicidal individuals is hard to come by, Japan's railway lines are hoping that the rumored "calming effect" induced by the color blue will be enough to change at least a few minds and, as a result, save lives.

JR East has set its sights on Tokyo's ring-shaped, green-tinted Yamanote Line with 7 stations already equipped with blue LED platform lights. The company expects to finish installing the light banks on the remaining 22 stations on the line by the end of October, complementing the physical suicide barriers already in place.

[twoNeurons]

Where would you say there is an obvious need for B-Line buses in Vancouver?

I initially was thinking 41st AVenue makes an obvious choice, but after checking the schedule, the 41 is slower than the 49 (timed from about Kerr to UBC).
The #41 is about 49 minutes
The #43 is about 45 minutes (same route as #41)
the #49 is about 45 minutes

The goal of this B-Line would be to connect UBC & BCIT together.

The 41 Ave route could do this by connecting at Joyce and then once crossing into Burnaby, East on Moscrop (Sanderson is VERY difficult (impossible?) for artics) and North down Willingdon. Alternatively, they could go south on Boundary and East on Canada Way.

The 49 Ave route could serve BCIT through Patterson and then on down Willingdon via Kingsway.

The buses would circle around BCIT. They could be designated a portion of the parking lot to turn around the buses.

---

Another consideration is the Hastings B-Line corridor. Where would you put stops? Should it go along Hastings all the way, or up Clark along the Georgia Viaduct once near downtown ( a MUCH faster route )

---

1st Ave. Should it get a bus line? Has it ever had one?

[cabotp]

The problem with 49th ave is that it is essentially a single lane road in each direction. It can get quite congested as people try and turn both left and right at an intersection. Case in point places like Victoria, Fraser and Main. I can see them increasing the frequency of the #49 bus. But I just don't see 49th being able to handle a B-Line.

A B-line on 41st ave is better if they were to remove the parking along the curb (during peak hours for now and possible longer in the future) from about Victoria to about East Boulevard. And turn it into a bus only and possibly HOV lane. That would let the B-line bypass a majority of the congestion. With Kerrisdale being the only real problem area

I also think the best route to BCIT with a B-Line from 41st would be down Joyce Left on Boundary, Right onto Kincaid past the Hospital onto Sanderson and down to Willingdon by BCIT.

Now Joyce I think would need no parking along the curb during peak and possibly a Bus only lane. As it can get very slow going through there. For some reasone people think doing 40 is ok in that area

The other problem I see is what happens when the B-Line comes from BCIT up Kincaid and gets to Boundary. It now has to make a left turn at Boundary with no Light. So why not install a Pedestrian activated light. But set it up so the buses can trigger the lights themselves by proximity. Although not sure if that is possible

[gillty]

like I mentioned in the Canada Line thread good luck getting an articulated bus through sanderson/kincaid. buses already have to pullover in the kincaid section to let another oncoming busses through, its a super tight residential street, plus during the winter the #25 can something barely or not make it at all up that hill infront of BGH and like you mentioned turning left on boundary is going to be a problem i think

i think twoNeurons is on the right track

take the #41 down Vanness st (eliminate parking in both directions replacing them with bus lanes(i realize not enough parking in the area but it has to be done))

left on boundary, east on moscrop and then down willingdon. and then to loop and head westbound continue down willingdon and head east on canada way then south on wayburne turning right on deerlake pwky/moscrop heading back to vancouver

[Dave2]

Originally Posted by deasine

The law states that you aren't allowed to smoke within a door, openable window, or air vent intake within 5 metres. Smoking at a bus stop is legal if it meets the above, however, I believe smoking is prohibited on TransLink property. So at Newton Exchange, it would be illegal.

ISTR a recent law re: smoking at bus stops, most shelters in Vancouver have a circle/slash No Smoking sign.... but these days it's just common courtesy not to smoke in a crowd of people.

[Dave2]

Originally Posted by David

As Seinfeld said, "can we just drop the pee pee stuff?" Seriously, I click on this thread hoping to find some kind of update about Metro Vancouver Transit but instead I get to enjoy some wonderfuly commentary about public urination...

Well, it *is* an issue, the far west Commercial Drive station smelled of it this AM, time for a hose-down.... It's often noticble on July 2nd or the day after fireworks....

According to the Sun's Canada Line preview, pretty much every station has an "Access Controlled Public Washroom".... whatever that is, I haven't noticed any yet in the 5 stations I've been to. I'd assume they're locked until you find a station attendant.

[Dave2]

Originally Posted by DKaz

Man, Derek Corrigan is complaining about the Olympic Transit hubs and the noise it'll cause from 4am to 1am everyday. He seriously needs to open a can of SHUT UP!

http://bit.ly/4tXphE

If it's only for 2 weeks, I'm sure we can put up with that...It the bus wakes you up early , turn on the Today Show from Grouse Mountain

[cabotp]

Originally Posted by tGill

like I mentioned in the Canada Line thread good luck getting an articulated bus through sanderson/kincaid. buses already have to pullover in the kincaid section to let another oncoming busses through, its a super tight residential street, plus during the winter the #25 can something barely or not make it at all up that hill infront of BGH and like you mentioned turning left on boundary is going to be a problem i think

i think twoNeurons is on the right track

take the #41 down Vanness st (eliminate parking in both directions replacing them with bus lanes(i realize not enough parking in the area but it has to be done))

left on boundary, east on moscrop and then down willingdon. and then to loop and head westbound continue down willingdon and head east on canada way then south on wayburne turning right on deerlake pwky/moscrop heading back to vancouver

I forgot about the hill by BGH. Ya down Vanness would be better. But I still think they should turn the curb lane from Kingsway down to Vanness a bus only lane at least during peak time. It gets to congested and backed up along there. I can just see it become a problem for any B-Line that might go through there.

[GeeCee]

I thought that the 'access control' to the C-Line washrooms was asking the person working at the Jugo Juice for the key (once they open, anyways).

[SFUVancouver]

I glimpsed two of the new ticket validator/smart card readers by the new 10th avenue entrance of Broadway-Commercial Stn. These are the same units that have been installed throughout the Canada Line.

[gillty]

Originally Posted by cabotp

I forgot about the hill by BGH. Ya down Vanness would be better. But I still think they should turn the curb lane from Kingsway down to Vanness a bus only lane at least during peak time. It gets to congested and backed up along there. I can just see it become a problem for any B-Line that might go through there.

yea making those curb lanes dedicated bus lanes on boundary between moscrop and vanness along with bus lanes on Vanness and you pretty much gotta bline

forgot about on more thing currently the bus loop at joyce exits on the north side might be difficult for an arctic to exit make a right along with a left and then head east down vanness

[deasine]

Originally Posted by tGill

forgot about on more thing currently the bus loop at joyce exits on the north side might be difficult for an arctic to exit make a right along with a left and then head east down vanness

The current bus loop at Joyce is already at capacity: it can't fit anymore buses. The 43 stop is actually outside of the loop. Either, the bus loop should be moved on the east side of the station, with a reconfiguration of the traffic intersection there, or the stop must be outside of the loop (before Vanness).

Good observation SFU Vancouver.