Canada Line | Completed

[SpongeG]

why make something half ass though?

its embarrassing telling people - well you might be able to get through the mall if its still open if its not you have to get back on the train and go to the end

people are wanting to transfer not shop - Pacific Centre is too busy to walk in at the best of times

[Waders]

Originally Posted by mr.x

If they can get some sort of deal with Pacific Centre/Vancouver Centre and HBC with having a security patrolled corridor between Granville Station and VCS during closed hours, I'm all for indicating it as a transfer point....but given how we don't really have a transit-smart/aware populace, I wouldn't indicate it on the maps just yet. It'll just add to the confusion.

Last Sunday it took me about 30 seconds to find out how to exit from the Bay to Vancouver Centre, then turn right to the Canada Line entrance next to London Drug. There is not enough sign to show the correct path.
A guy was definitely lost near the Bay/Vancouver Centre exit as he walked back and forth a few times, looked around before he walked towards the direction of the station entrance.

[mr.x]

Originally Posted by Waders

Last Sunday it took me about 30 seconds to find out how to exit from the Bay to Vancouver Centre, then turn right to the Canada Line entrance next to London Drug. There is not enough sign to show the correct path.
A guy was definitely lost near the Bay/Vancouver Centre exit as he walked back and forth a few times, looked around before he walked towards the direction of the station entrance.

bingo.

[Metro-One]

Once you know the route though, during mall hours, it is the way to go.

And Sponge, believe it or not, but many people have to run quick errands after work our throughout the day, or they have to get a quick bite to eat, this is where having a transfer through a mall is fantastic. In Japan, that is when one often shops for small specialty items or a quick bite, is in the underground malls that connect train stations.

Think about it, get off at Granville, quick bit to eat at Pacific Center Food Court, walk down to City Center Station. A perfect no back tracking on the way meal. I do this often (eat at transfer locations, such as Commercial and Broadway). When someone is actually busy, it really helps!

[deasine]

Originally Posted by Waders

I haven't done a timing of the walk but I think transfering at Waterfront may even be shorter and faster. Granville Station is located much deeper underground and has such a long escalator.

Sure it might be shorter, but if your scenerio, you didn't add the amount of time it takes to SkyTrain TO Waterfront then back TO City Centre. That's where it takes the most time.

Why not just transfer at street level. I don't see a problem with that and many cities in the world do this. I mean it's ideal to have an underground connection, but for the time being, it's fine to transfer at street level.

[Metro-One]

Exactly, when the mall is open I transfer underground, when it is closed I just go up to the street level. For me being able to go from Granville station to CC underground through a mall is one of the most 'urban" feels Vancouver has now, they just haven't realized it yet...

[Waders]

Originally Posted by mr.x

bingo.

You are correct about how we don't really have a transit-smart/aware populace.
One Sunday last month I was sitting in a Expo Line train at Waterfront station. A lady walked into the train, looked at the route map for a while and asked. 'Is this train going to Richmond?'. Luckily she got out of the train before the door closed, otherwise she would have to enjoy a train ride and found out how to get back to Waterfront station. Based on her appearance, She looked like a local, not a tourist. A lot of people exit from Expo Line train at Waterfront Station don't know how to get to the Canada Line.
Translink had put out a route map at the station entrance telling passengers how to walk a block at street level to get to Waterfront station but on a few occassion I still had to show people the correct direction.

[Waders]

Originally Posted by deasine

Sure it might be shorter, but if your scenerio, you didn't add the amount of time it takes to SkyTrain TO Waterfront then back TO City Centre. That's where it takes the most time.

Why not just transfer at street level. I don't see a problem with that and many cities in the world do this. I mean it's ideal to have an underground connection, but for the time being, it's fine to transfer at street level.

I have no problem using street level to transfer in summer, enjoying the sunny weather. But in winer time if it rains, snows or gets windy, that is a different story...

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

Why not? It is there, it helps bring foot traffic to the mall. Also it helps relieve pressure from the Waterfront stations/platforms.

Why do people here love putting all their eggs in one basket?

It seems the mall itself is discouraging this type of transfer. The signage is incredible poor. I rode on Expo to Granville and was looking for the Canada Line link. Granted it was early and the mall was not open, but I still had no idea where to go. Further to that there was nothing indicating how to get to VCC station when the mall was closed either.

[trofirhen]

I know everybody is sick and tired of construction zones, torn-up streets, barricades and the whole nine yards, but would it not be better to bite the bullet and just BUILD a transit line line connector? Either at Waterfront, or between Granville and City-Centre, but just get a permanent link built???

As was said, we are not educated to transit yet, and have difficulty finding our way around.

Here in Paris, stations that are adjacent, but are on different lines, are nearly ALWAYS connected, often with long moving sidewalks, such as at Montparnasse or Invalides, or just long (and tiring) corridors and stairways, but at least you can get from one line to another.

I think the same concept would work equally well in Vancouver, and that's an understatement.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

It seems the mall itself is discouraging this type of transfer. The signage is incredible poor. I rode on Expo to Granville and was looking for the Canada Line link. Granted it was early and the mall was not open, but I still had no idea where to go. Further to that there was nothing indicating how to get to VCC station when the mall was closed either.

Pacific Centre signage has been slow to arrive.
Cadillac Fairview still has a portable sign marking the entrance to the Canada Line between the Sony Store and RW & Co.
Don't expect Cadillac Fairview to be quick about it, they still don't have signs up in the City Centre Station vestibule marking the entrance to their mall.
I'll bet every design has to go through the Toronto office.

[Zassk]

Regardless, Waterfront does need better signs that simply state the destination of each line. i.e. large signs beside each other that state "Trains to Burnaby, New Westminster, Surrey" pointing to the Expo Line escalator and "Trains to Richmond, Airport" pointing to the Canada Line escalator. People need to be able to clearly understand which line they are approaching before they step onto the escalator, and they need to clearly understand which direction they should walk to get to the other line.

[CLC]

Yet another White Rock resident travel story

Can’t imagine daily bus rush

Published: October 21, 2009 11:00 AM
Updated: October 21, 2009 11:06 AM


Editor:

I have not noticed any further comments on the new transportation arrangements to Vancouver.

Yesterday, I went “into town” to one of the art shops I patronize.

Previously, it took me 40-50 minutes to arrive at my destination. This time, the bus left White Rock Centre close to 5 p.m., with me arriving at the Broadway store at 6:40 – almost in tears.

A blooming disaster, if anyone would’ve asked me!

The Canada Line was standing room only – all the way – unable to find a comfortable spot where I felt secure. The 99 B-line was packed full, a young woman graciously ceded her seat to me. Great speed and dexterity used to “debus.”

The return trip was only one hour, but would not have been for my luck and age, as I was one of only four passengers that got on that bus – another 20 were left behind.

Three more minutes is nothing, you say. It adds up.

Standing squished next to driver, I dared ask if it is always this busy at this time. No, it is like this all day long, since the 98 B-line was taken out, he replied, just as gently.

Then, I was swept up to the Canada Line in mad rush. This time I, like most other rude people, walked on before all “detrained” and grab myself one of just a few seats available at that instant.

I do not understand why or how commuters accept this situation; can’t imagine this on a daily basis.

Alicia M.B. Ballard, White Rock

[mr.x]

Having a seat on transit isn't exactly a right, even for seniors. But it's general courtesy to give those that are elderly or young children a seat.

I will agree on her with the sardine-like can environment though, get more trains now!


lol, anyhow it looks like people who previously didn't use transit are now using it and are realizing how packed it is. These are the same people who once thought transit in the region is unfeasible because there's no demand for it.

[Yume-sama]

Yes, sardine cans aren't fun. I'm waiting for the opposition to begin criticizing the government for not thinking large enough and adding more capacity to what would obviously be a very successful line.

Frankly, it is too uncomfortable and packed to actually utilize it to go to and from the airport. There's room for you, but once you add in everyone's luggage... no room.

We need an express train to the airport, and use this just to go to Richmond The Olympics will be *very* interesting, another 150,000 people flooding the city...

[mr.x]

^ when i have the time, i'm going to e-mail several NDP MP's and Carole herself to grill the Liberals on this.

[Yume-sama]

Originally Posted by mr.x

^ when i have the time, i'm going to e-mail several NDP MP's and Carole herself to grill the Liberals on this.

Ohh, I'd just about die laughing. But far too many people have too short of a memory span, and will buy in to it.

Remember the Liberals not too long ago grilling the conservatives for wanting to be friends with the socialist NDP...

Just forget that whole trying to overthrow the government thing just months prior...

[mr.x]

Grill them on the lack of capacity, and to resolve the interim crowding situation by putting in more money to buy more trains. Sure, the Liberals aren't directly responsible for this but indirectly they are...and I'm sure grilling them on it will have a trickle down effect for future projects and what we have to do in the future.

We could start this with a Facebook group.

The Canada Line is going to be a gong show during the Games:
- up to 60,000 people at GM Place daily (3 hockey games a day x 19,000 seats)
- 35,000 for nightly victory ceremonies @ BC Place
- 20,000 for the Live Sites
- tens and tens and tens of thousands more from other Olympic activities in Downtown and from tourists moving in and out and around town

They better use all 20 trains, and rip up the contract during those 17 days.

The Canada Line can't even handle existing demands, nevermind Olympic ones. And the Canada Line was why VANOC abandoned its transportation bus plan for the Vancouver-Richmond-Airport corridor, hoping that the Canada Line would provide the capacity they would need.



P.S. looks like my gong show predictions after bus integration are coming true!

[GeeCee]

We (SSPers) could always start building C-Line Rotem cars once we finish the secret Evergreen tunnel.. definitely need another Facebook group.

[Whalleyboy]

Originally Posted by CLC

Yet another White Rock resident travel story

Can’t imagine daily bus rush

Published: October 21, 2009 11:00 AM
Updated: October 21, 2009 11:06 AM


Editor:

I have not noticed any further comments on the new transportation arrangements to Vancouver.

Yesterday, I went “into town” to one of the art shops I patronize.

Previously, it took me 40-50 minutes to arrive at my destination. This time, the bus left White Rock Centre close to 5 p.m., with me arriving at the Broadway store at 6:40 – almost in tears.

A blooming disaster, if anyone would’ve asked me!

The Canada Line was standing room only – all the way – unable to find a comfortable spot where I felt secure. The 99 B-line was packed full, a young woman graciously ceded her seat to me. Great speed and dexterity used to “debus.”

The return trip was only one hour, but would not have been for my luck and age, as I was one of only four passengers that got on that bus – another 20 were left behind.

Three more minutes is nothing, you say. It adds up.

Standing squished next to driver, I dared ask if it is always this busy at this time. No, it is like this all day long, since the 98 B-line was taken out, he replied, just as gently.

Then, I was swept up to the Canada Line in mad rush. This time I, like most other rude people, walked on before all “detrained” and grab myself one of just a few seats available at that instant.

I do not understand why or how commuters accept this situation; can’t imagine this on a daily basis.

Alicia M.B. Ballard, White Rock

all these people in white rock should just go to the skytrain in surrey if there so sick of standing on canada line