Metro Vancouver Transit Discussion

[Zassk]

20 trains on the C-line would be a 42% increase in capacity, with headways of... 156 seconds on the main line, my calculator is telling me. That would make a massive difference.

[Yume-sama]

Originally Posted by Gordon

I doubt that many Olympic ticket holders will arrive the day of the event.

If they are going to any event in Richmond (or coming in to Vancouver from any hotels in Richmond) they are still being advised to take the line, and many people from out of town probably don't realize just how busy the line will be. Obviously, you expect crowds, but you'd never expect 2+ hour waits on a "major cities" rapid transit line. I suspect this could be majorly upsetting to a lot of visitors.

[cabotp]

Originally Posted by Gordon

I doubt that many Olympic ticket holders will arrive the day of the event.


All Door Loading

Is there really a need for all door loading at all stops on the #99 B Line ?

I'd say there is a need for all door loading on almost all the bus routes. The only downside to it is people jumping on who have not paid.

It speeds up the unloading and loading considerably. If the 99 B-line didn't have it there would be a massive increase in the travel time.

[Zassk]

I read that waits of over 1 hour were not unusual on the transit at Salt Lake City, but as an outsider, never once did I hear any complaints about it. Certainly, nothing like the Atlanta Olympics.

[DKaz]

Originally Posted by Mac Write

AddFare has been approved and will come into effect on Monday January 18, 2010. The rate has also been changed from $2.50 to $5.00 to leave Sea Island (no AddFare required to go to Sea Island). Also travel between Templeton and YVR is free. This only applies to cash fares. Pre-paid fares such as DayPasses, FareCards, FareSaver Tickets, U-Passes, Employer Passes and the BC Government Bus Pass Program are exempt. TVM's on Sea Island will automatically add the fare. If you have a one zone pre-paid ticket and upgrade at any of the Sea Island TVM's there will be no AddFare and "Airport" will be stamped on your FareSaver ticket.

Also think about this, a downtown person can pay $3.75 cash to travel to the airport, have lunch at Harvey's, and return on that same transfer without having to pay the $5 addon if they eat quick enough. If not, maybe if their transfer expires when they get to Marine Dr. Station they can get off and buy a $2.50 fare. This model still makes YVR a place to go have lunch at or shop at or just browse around, the customer base that YVR does not want to lose. Unless they do farechecks from Templeton to Bridgeport and all cash fare holders must have Airport stamped on it...

[tybuilding]

Originally Posted by Mac Write

AddFare has been approved and will come into effect on Monday January 18, 2010. The rate has also been changed from $2.50 to $5.00 to leave Sea Island (no AddFare required to go to Sea Island). Also travel between Templeton and YVR is free. This only applies to cash fares. Pre-paid fares such as DayPasses, FareCards, FareSaver Tickets, U-Passes, Employer Passes and the BC Government Bus Pass Program are exempt. TVM's on Sea Island will automatically add the fare. If you have a one zone pre-paid ticket and upgrade at any of the Sea Island TVM's there will be no AddFare and "Airport" will be stamped on your FareSaver ticket. Click here for more information

So if I was a family of 4 I would just get books of 10 faresaver passes. That would be a lot cheaper. What percentage of people from the airport would be using the ticket machines? Only visitors to the region I would think.

[cabotp]

Originally Posted by DKaz

Also think about this, a downtown person can pay $3.75 cash to travel to the airport, have lunch at Harvey's, and return on that same transfer without having to pay the $5 addon if they eat quick enough. If not, maybe if their transfer expires when they get to Marine Dr. Station they can get off and buy a $2.50 fare. This model still makes YVR a place to go have lunch at or shop at or just browse around, the customer base that YVR does not want to lose. Unless they do farechecks from Templeton to Bridgeport and all cash fare holders must have Airport stamped on it...

Actually anyone who has a cashed paid ticket even if they bought that ticket at a station that is not on one of the Sea Island stations and even if that ticket had not expired. Would still need to pay for the $5 surcharge.

For those who have a faresaver or any kind of pass they are exempt.

EDIT: At first when was going through the buzzer blog what I posted above was true. But I've gone through it again the following was posted later on.

# If I want to go from Waterfront to YVR and back to Waterfront, and I buy my ticket from a TVM at Waterfront, do I need to add $5 on my fare when I get to YVR for the way back?

If you travel out of YVR before your original ticket expires, you are fine. If not, and you require a cash or credit card purchase for the return ticket from Sea Island, then you have to pay the YVR AddFare.

[CLC]

Originally Posted by tybuilding

What percentage of people from the airport would be using the ticket machines? Only visitors to the region I would think.

Visitors can buy faresavers booklet at YVR (I believe there is 7-11 and Pharmasave store)

[Zassk]

Originally Posted by CLC

Visitors can buy faresavers booklet at YVR (I believe there is 7-11 and Pharmasave store)

Thanks, I was wondering if those could be purchased at YVR.

A $5 surcharge for airport-downtown shuttle is certainly not unusual compared to other cities of the world.

[SpongeG]

Originally Posted by Yume-sama

Well, I know someone who won't be going anywhere during the Olympics

Visitors are going to be real impressed by our cute little people mover. Especially when they arrive 2 hours after their event ended

yes but they will have the christians to console them with coffee

[Yume-sama]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

yes but they will have the christians to console them with coffee

If they can make a Cafe Mocha I'll listen.

[officedweller]

Posted at the Buzzer Blog - Metrotown Station circa 1986:



More flash back photos:

http://buzzer.translink.ca/index.php/2010/01/skytrain-flashback-photos/

[SpongeG]

Originally Posted by Mac Write

AddFare has been approved and will come into effect on Monday January 18, 2010. The rate has also been changed from $2.50 to $5.00 to leave Sea Island (no AddFare required to go to Sea Island). Also travel between Templeton and YVR is free. This only applies to cash fares. Pre-paid fares such as DayPasses, FareCards, FareSaver Tickets, U-Passes, Employer Passes and the BC Government Bus Pass Program are exempt. TVM's on Sea Island will automatically add the fare. If you have a one zone pre-paid ticket and upgrade at any of the Sea Island TVM's there will be no AddFare and "Airport" will be stamped on your FareSaver ticket. Click here for more information

its plus $5 - so its $8.75 to use it to get from the airport to downtown - thats quite steep

[SpongeG]

Canada Line airport surcharge surges to $5

By Matthew Hoekstra - Richmond Review

Published: January 08, 2010 10:00 AM
Updated: January 08, 2010 4:34 PM

0 Comments

Travellers boarding the Canada Line from the airport will face a $5 surcharge on their fare if they don’t have a prepaid ticket, TransLink announced Thursday.

The one-way surcharge will only apply to travellers buying tickets from a station vending machine for travel from YVR-Airport, Sea Island Centre and Templeton stations.

The new fare begins Jan. 18, bringing the travel cost for adults to $7.50 to Richmond Centre and $8.75 to downtown Vancouver.

Travellers using pre-paid fares, such as DayPasses, FareCards, FareSaver tickets, U-passes, employer passes and the B.C. government bus pass will be exempt from the surcharge.

TransLink originally proposed a $2.50 surcharge for all Canada Line passengers travelling to or from Sea Island to take effect this year. TransLink commissioner Martin Crilly, who is responsible for approving all cash fare increases above inflation, said the change was made to focus on air travellers.

“We felt it made a lot more sense to only approve what TransLink applied for in a limited way,” said Crilly. “It makes economic sense if you try to isolate the people who are travelling by air and get them to pay the extra and to allow (others) to not pay that fee.”

full: http://www.bclocalnews.com/richmond_southdelta/richmondreview/news/81012537.html

[Waders]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Posted at the Buzzer Blog - Metrotown Station circa 1986:



More flash back photos:

http://buzzer.translink.ca/index.php/2010/01/skytrain-flashback-photos/

Cool picture! Thanks for the Buzzer link. Now I understand why there are a few steps between Sears entrance and the mall!

[Dave2]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

Canada Line airport surcharge surges to $5

By Matthew Hoekstra - Richmond Review

Yeah, surges from $2.50 each way to $5.00 one way

(and with easy escape clauses for locals who pay attention)

[Dave2]

Originally Posted by red-paladin

I think that the programmed motions for the trains could be improved. There are some rough stops, I agree. Also, I don't know why the southbound trains decelerate and then accelerate abruptly right before stopping at the southbound Commercial-Broadway platform. Hasn't anyone else felt that?

There are several other strange accelerations and decelerations across the system that don't appear to be as smooth as they could be.

The new MK-IIs seem to have a problem with the dip under the viaducts inbound; it's like they panic and apply the brakes fully for about 3/4 second. Jhenifer at the BuzzerBlog mentioned that they had adjusted the trains to avoid "The Whip" further west on the line before Stadium; it's like the new trains are, "OMG, I'm going too fast, must SLOW DOWN NOW" I'd rather go back to the whip

[CLC]

Canada Line YVR Add Fare Questions and Answers
http://www.translink.ca/en/About-TransLi...-YVR-Add-Fare-Questions-and-Answers.aspx

Translink actually gives a hint on how to escape from YVR-Addfare:

8. Can I buy pre-paid tickets like DayPasses at the airport?

DayPasses and other pre-paid tickets can be purchased at any FareDealer location, and there are two in the vicinity of the airport: one at the Pharmasave on Level 1 (Domestic Departures) and another at the 7-11 store on Grant McConachie Way; DayPasses will not be sold at TVMs on Sea Island.

[SpongeG]

so do these people have to buy the two zone fare saver tickets? what if you buy a book and never have any use for it afterwards? they may as well pay the $5 and go

[GeeCee]

Originally Posted by Dave2

Yeah, surges from $2.50 each way to $5.00 one way

(and with easy escape clauses for locals who pay attention)

Sure, but it's technically fare evasion. If you're leaving Sea Island, you should pay the fare. The fare gates should stop this once installed, however, as they shouldn't allow those in unless they had a prepaid ticket or purchased the AddFare.