Canada Line | Completed

[Stingray2004]

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.

Remember that potential future NDP leader and Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan was against the Canada Line from the start. Both he and his other council colleagues advocated light rail along the Arbutus corridor.

That's akin to advocating a 4-lane highway with signalized intersections (light rail) v. a 4-lane highway with grade-separated interchanges (Skytrain/Canada Line) and it's concurrent higher capacity/ faster speeds.

So do you expect Mayor Corrigan's wife, NDP MLA Kathy Corrigan, will be asking the question, on your behalf, in the legislature?

[Zassk]

Well, personally, I will be tele-commuting for those two weeks.

By not having all of the Langara and UBC and downtown campus students on the Canada Line, there will be a massive relief in capacity that can be taken up by the Olympics commuters.

Remember how the Canada Line was in August vs. September - subtract the "transit tourists" and there will be a lot of capacity. I bet they will never run more than 18 trains like opening day.

[mrjauk]

I rode the Canada Line today for what I hoped would be a quick trip from Waterfront to City Hall and back. The outward bound leg of the journey was fine, but the return leg was a mess. I got to City Hall at about 5:00 pm and the inbound train came into the station on time. Passengers disembarked and embarked as usual and the train sat there for about a minute--much longer than the usual dwell time. A voice over the train's internal PA system then informed us that our departure would be delayed due to a technical problem somewhere north of us.

We were delayed about 10 minutes, by which time the already crowded train became packed, and when we were finally allowed to proceed the train switched tracks between Olympic Station and continued to ride inbound on the outbound track for the remainder of the journey to Waterfont Station. The platform at Waterfront was packed and they were holding people back along the corridor. The line as of 5:25 or so, stretched all the way along the corridor to the point at which it makes a 90-degree turn.

[CLC]

Originally Posted by deasine

I think we should find out more info later. Nothing on ProTransBC's website though... still reported as "normal"

I never bother to check ProTransBC's website, I think its status "normal" was hard-coded there

Remember the Councillor's tale of how to get to Hastings school from Richmond, there is a follow-up letter:

Short-cut took longer
Richmond News
Published: Wednesday, October 21, 2009

The Editor,

Re: "98 B-Line has made its last stop," Letters, Oct. 14.

I read with great interest the letter from Hans Ruger offering a solution to the challenges I face using public transit to get to work now the 98 B-line is no longer in operation.

His idea intrigued me, so this morning (Friday) I decided to try it. As he suggested, I drove to 71 Street and Granville Avenue where I parked and then caught the Hastings bus to Princess and Hastings where I teach.

True, I got a seat, though even at that hour, the bus was already over half full, and I didn't have to transfer. But Mr. Ruger's time estimate of shaving at least 30 minutes off the trip was way off.

I left home at 6:20 a.m., not exactly rush hour, but it still took me an hour to get to my destination, because it's a milk run, not an express bus and stops at nearly every stop, taking forever.

The return trip was worse. It was painfully slow. I left my work place at 1:10 p.m., again, not exactly rush hour, and it took me an hour and a half to get home -- way longer by half an hour than my normal convoluted route using car, buses and the Canada Line.

So not only did this route increase my total daily travelling time considerably, I was required to use my car for approximately 10 kilometres compared to the one kilometre I currently drive, which over time would result in a huge increase in gas and maintenance costs. One of the main reasons I take public transit is to reduce reliance on my vehicle, not increase it.

Though I appreciate Mr. Ruger's help in trying to simplify and expedite my travel time, I will not use his preferred route again. It simply doesn't make sense. However, I am open to other well thought out suggestions.

Coun. Sue Halsey-Brandt,

Richmond

[SpongeG]

Originally Posted by 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!

thats not my point - if you're setting out to do that crap than fine but if you want to get from point a to point b asap just go to waterfront

nothing wrong with lingering if thats in the plan its great

what they need to do is construct a bypass cause once the bay is closed commuters are screwed - a connection should be availble during the operation of the lines hours - its pretty useless as is so why encourage it

[deasine]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

thats not my point - if you're setting out to do that crap than fine but if you want to get from point a to point b asap just go to waterfront

Oh my god I just said this earlier. Let me put it in other terms: if you are going to Broadway-City Hall, let's say from Main Street-Science World and you want to use the SkyTrain. You take the train heading for Waterfront, then you have a choice of riding transferring onto the Canada Line to Vancouver City Centre via Granville, or doing it directly on Waterfront.

The time it takes one to walk from the platforms of the Expo Line to the platforms of the Canada Line is in fact shorter than walking from Granville Platforms to Vancouver City Centre platforms, however, you have to take account the time it takes SkyTraining to Waterfront and the time it takes SkyTraining from Waterfront to Vancouver City Centre. That alone is five minutes. The total time it takes is more than transferring at Vancouver City Centre from street level.

I think we all recognize that there needs to be some kind of underground connection, and during the planning phase, the City of Vancouver did as well and there are plans to have a direct connection. Until that is done, it's best to transfer at Vancouver City Centre from Granville (and vice versa) if you need to get somewhere "asap", in your terms. I don't see the point in arguing this: everyone here thinks there should be a connection as well, including that of Metro One.

If you feel comfortable transferring at Waterfront, then do so. If you are fine at Vancouver City Centre from Granville via Pacific Centre, Vancouver Centre, or street level, then do it. Whatever rocks your boat!

[CBeats]

Originally Posted by deasine

Whatever rocks your boat!

*floats your boat...

[deasine]

Excuse me... yes. Floats your boat AHA. This is what you get when you type quickly and frustrated...ly =P

[Yume-sama]

Totally off topic. I'm usually not a fan of crap art, but I'd love to see something like this done near a Canada Line station

This is in Cologne, Germany by Dirk Skreber, near a station if I'm not mistaken.


Apparently he's a fan of smashing things in the name of art.


We could be like, look what WON'T happen to you if you take Canada Line Hopefully.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirk_Skreber

[mr.x]

^ i actually think those that are victims of horrible car accidents could take offense to that.

[mooks28]

Originally Posted by mr.x

^ i actually think those that are victims of horrible car accidents could take offense to that.

I agree. Crumpled skytrain cars instead?

[deasine]

Originally Posted by mooks28

I agree. Crumpled skytrain cars instead?

There goes $4 million =) I think some of us would cry if we see a new MK II in that state =P

[Smooth]

You could mount several cars on posts (without destroying them) and make a big merry-go-round.

[mrjauk]

Originally Posted by mr.x

^ i actually think those that are victims of horrible car accidents could take offense to that.

I don't understand your objection. I saw an exhibit of photographs a while back for which the subject was the Rwandan genocide. I can't imagine that those whose corpses were photographed would have objected to their use in disseminating the narrative of the horrors to which they had been subjected.

[kylemacmac]

Originally Posted by CLC

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.

Yeah, no one is arguing it sucks to be on cramped public transit for 90 minutes, but anyone who expects fast, easy and completely comfortable transit service for an occasional trip from White Rock into Vancouver obviously has no idea about land use planning and its effects on public transit. Someone who makes a statement like this is just as likely to ask the question: "So why didn't they just extend to the Canada Line to White Rock? But not too close to my single family house on a green belt of course, just far enough away so I can easily walk to it, but not be inconvenienced by the sight or sound of it."

She chose to:
1. Live in White Rock
2. Shop on Broadway
3. Take public transit to get there

Surely the odd "I am so inconvenienced by the Canada Line" news-making story by unrealistic individuals like this woman is grossly overshadowed by people whose lives have been improved by the Canada Line and are content....thus don't write in to local newspapers to complain.

[mrjauk]

Originally Posted by kylemacmac

Yeah, no one is arguing it sucks to be on cramped public transit for 90 minutes, but anyone who expects fast, easy and completely comfortable transit service for an occasional trip from White Rock into Vancouver obviously has no idea about land use planning and its effects on public transit. Someone who makes a statement like this is just as likely to ask the question: "So why didn't they just extend to the Canada Line to White Rock? But not too close to my single family house on a green belt of course, just far enough away so I can easily walk to it, but not be inconvenienced by the sight or sound of it."

She chose to:
1. Live in White Rock
2. Shop on Broadway
3. Take public transit to get there

While i generally agree with your comment, she did claim to have made the same trip via bus in between 40-50 minutes prior to September 7th. Now, what she doesn't' understand is that her previous trip was highly subsidized.

Surely the odd "I am so inconvenienced by the Canada Line" news-making story by unrealistic individuals like this woman is grossly overshadowed by people whose lives have been improved by the Canada Line and are content....thus don't write in to local newspapers to complain.

This is almost certain to be true. I used to work in the restaurant industry and I remember reading a study about customers' propensity to tell friends/acquaintances about a dining experience. For every person told about a good dining experience, thirteen would be told about a bad one. So, people were 13 times as likely to complain to others about a bad meal than to praise a good one.

So, if this is a general rule, then someone whose commuting experience has been made worse by the introduction of the Canada Line is about 13 times more likely to write a comment in the local news than is someone whose commuting experience has benefited from the opening of the CL.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

The fact that this was built and is operated as a P3 has absolutely nothing to do with its capacity.

Please educate yourself on the issue before commenting further.

Really oh wise one?

Then I'd find it hard to believe you've ever ridden the C-Line out from Richmond during rush hour when its capacity limitations are painfully obvious. And all this before the Olympics, the alleged justification for building it before the Evergreen Line.

And perhaps you've never taken this "airport line" with luggage, where the drawbacks of a cost cutting "one escalator" policy becomes painfully obvious as you wait for the elevator.

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by 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...

Maybe the Airport Express Train could be routed down the Arbutus corridor, even though that is the potential site for vital future commuter rail service. Do think that's an option? If not, how would you build it? I think it's a great idea, but it means hacking through the developed part of the city to get from downtown to the airport, unless you go mostly undergound, and we all know how $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ that would be.

[deasine]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Really oh wise one?

Then I'd find it hard to believe you've ever ridden the C-Line out from Richmond during rush hour when its capacity limitations are painfully obvious. And all this before the Olympics, the alleged justification for building it before the Evergreen Line.

And perhaps you've never taken this "airport line" with luggage, where the drawbacks of a cost cutting "one escalator" policy becomes painfully obvious as you wait for the elevator.

Just as laughable as your previous statement. The fact the frequency and capacity limitations DOES NOT make it P3. If you read my previous statements earlier: it's the job of RAVCO to set the terms for the P3 system. If such details were specified, you wouldn't have "capacity limitations", as you put it. While I agree frequencies on the Canada Line aren't exactly the best, there is still capacity on the line.

By the way, even if we didn't build it as P3, we won't still build down escalators except at airport stations.

[twoNeurons]

I can't remember if there are down escalators at airport stations now... are there?