Metro Vancouver Transit Discussion

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by jsbertram

Anything that can hide a bomb in public areas has been quietly removed during the pre-Olympic cleanup.

Has anyone else noticed the see-through plastic garbage cans (with the see-through plastic garbage bags) that are showing up around downtown?

I've seen the hoops that the bags need to hang from, but no bags. How hard is it to install a plastic bag at the same time?

[Yume-sama]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

I've seen the hoops that the bags need to hang from, but no bags. How hard is it to install a plastic bag at the same time?

It's a city job. Four or five people install the rings, while 2 others keep the truck warm, and then a week later, 5 or 6 others install the garbage bags.

[GeeCee]

Originally Posted by Yume-sama

It's a city job. Four or five people install the rings, while 2 others keep the truck warm, and then a week later, 5 or 6 others install the garbage bags.

I imagine they'll be closing off two lanes of traffic closest to the curb while doing this as well..

[Metro-One]

Nice Pic GeeCee, I like the big signage (for tourists who are like me, they can now find the stations without glasses!)

[mr.x]

I would think that Waterfront Station entrance at Canada Place Way would be closed during the Olympics?

[BCPhil]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

I've seen the hoops that the bags need to hang from, but no bags. How hard is it to install a plastic bag at the same time?

I've seen the garbage bags in place at a lot of spots around Downtown yesterday, but all the recycling bags seem to be missing. I'm wondering if they are being stolen. It seems like people interested in cashing in on the cans in it, instead of just reaching in and taking the cans can now very easily rip the bag off.

Although, contrary to popular belief, the bomb at the 1996 Atlanta games wasn't hidden in a trash can (as I've seen reported on the news in relation to these new trash bags) it was actually in military backpack placed under a bench. It was actually noticed by Richard Jewell who managed to move people far enough away from it before it exploded that for being a 40 lbs bomb only killed 1 person.

[GeeCee]

Originally Posted by mr.x

I would think that Waterfront Station entrance at Canada Place Way would be closed during the Olympics?

Don't see why.. the street will be open to pedestrians. The area is now in 'lockdown' mode and there is a small fence there for crowd control purposes which cordons off the sidewalk to the restaurant underneath the Province newspaper building. If it was closed off then that would cause quite a bit of congestion on the other side, not to mention a hissy fit from Cadillac Fairview (owner of the little food court/shopping mall down there)..

[BCPhil]

Originally Posted by GeeCee

Don't see why.. the street will be open to pedestrians. The area is now in 'lockdown' mode and there is a small fence there for crowd control purposes which cordons off the sidewalk to the restaurant underneath the Province newspaper building. If it was closed off then that would cause quite a bit of congestion on the other side, not to mention a hissy fit from Cadillac Fairview (owner of the little food court/shopping mall down there)..

And there is going to be a Pan Pacific Pavilion in the hotel Lobby there that's free to the public that will showcase Native Art and performances.

[roleypolinde]

Another small detail on the Canada Line I noticed today, Broadway-City Hall station has the stanchions up to control flow from both sides of the station as well as the fair paid zone stickers being moved way back so that the Jugo Juice is now no longer technically in the fare paid zone. They've got stickers on the floor everywhere including in front of one of the elevators.

I wonder if that's temporary given the main sign is still out front.

[racc]

Originally Posted by jsbertram

Anything that can hide a bomb in public areas has been quietly removed during the pre-Olympic cleanup.

Has anyone else noticed the see-through plastic garbage cans (with the see-through plastic garbage bags) that are showing up around downtown?

Hope they forgot about the shoe and underwear bombers.

[SpongeG]

^^^ If someone wants to do something they will find a way

[Waders]

It is impossible to make a transport system like Skytrain or airplane 100% safe. Now there is fear terrorist may use a new tactic that is undetectable even by body scanner. Check out the article at http://www.nypost.com/p/news/international/qaeda_surgical_strike_breast_butt_3b7thvAVUmH8N2Lxhpx6QO

[Yume-sama]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

^^^ If someone wants to do something they will find a way

No kidding. Are they going to X-Ray every bag on the Canada Line coming to or from the airport?? I'd think not, and that'd be the most obvious.

[LotusLand]

Just found a kick ass transportation guide for the Olympics:

http://vancitybuzz.blogspot.com/2010/02/vancouver-2010-olympics-transportation.html

They got everything in here even cab numbers. I think its for like tourists or something but it totally works for us Vancouverites

[MistyMountainHop]

Originally Posted by jsbertram

Has anyone else noticed the see-through plastic garbage cans (with the see-through plastic garbage bags) that are showing up around downtown?

Will those be permanent? Seems more practical than than the existing cans.

[SpongeG]

most people think those garbage rings looks ugly

what if these horrible line ups never materialize?

[trofirhen]

In Paris, ever since 9/11, conventional public garbage cans have been replaced by the rings + plastic bags you are discussing. It's not especially nice to be able to see through the bags at the garbage - rather off-putting in fact - but they do serve a security purpose.

People here have got used to them. They are only really a big problem if there's a garbage strike, or if someonce succeeds at concealing a bomb in one, which detonates as programmed.

[Yume-sama]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

most people think those garbage rings looks ugly

what if these horrible line ups never materialize?

Well, it will go one of two ways.

ONE: There will be huge lineups.
TWO: Everyone will just not go anywhere, fearing huge lineups

I don't know how it will work. But, it could be like say... Tokyo Disneyland. It is far less busy on the weekend than during the week, because everyone assumes it will be HORRIBLY BUSY so they avoid it, and decide to go during the week.

[mr.x]

Personally, I think there's a strong possibility that all these cultural events we have going on in Downtown and Richmond will turn out as complete attendance duds considering how we're scaring everyone away from leaving home during the Games because of the impending traffic chaos. Weather/rain is also another factor. Plus, after the first few days I'm quite sure some will rather stay home after being frustrated by the long transit lineups.

[cabotp]

I'll probably take a stroll downtown a couple of times. Crowds don't scare me. Also because I live in Vancouver I have multiple bus routes I can take home if there happens to be a backlog somewhere.

I find people who live way out in the Valley, or at least the ones I know. Hate going downtown because of all the traffic and crowds. Yet to me it just seems normal