Metro Vancouver Transit Discussion - Page 521

Spork · #**10401** Posted **Jan 5, 2013, 12:50 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jebby

Fixed that one for you.

http://freedomkeys.com/window.htm

Try this one: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broken_windows_theory

xd_1771 · #**10402** Posted **Jan 6, 2013, 4:04 AM**

I slightly miss the days of finding those rare one out of two or so 4-car Mk II trainsets in the midst of all the 2-car trainsets and Mk Is and then feeling so privileged to be riding on one

The Mk IIs were definitely shinier at the time.
Exterior aside, I find that I like the warmer and more relaxing interior ambience of the first-gen Mk IIs more than the new Mk IIs.

Meraki · #**10403** Posted **Jan 6, 2013, 6:24 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by xd_1771

I slightly miss the days of finding those rare one out of two or so 4-car Mk II trainsets in the midst of all the 2-car trainsets and Mk Is and then feeling so privileged to be riding on one

The Mk IIs were definitely shinier at the time.
Exterior aside, I find that I like the warmer and more relaxing interior ambience of the first-gen Mk IIs more than the new Mk IIs.

I was even more thrilled recently one day when I was headed downtown and was picked up by a 2-car MK-II. Don't see those much anymore.

xd_1771 · #**10404** Posted **Jan 6, 2013, 10:04 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meraki

I was even more thrilled recently one day when I was headed downtown and was picked up by a 2-car MK-II. Don't see those much anymore.

Must've been a shuttle train from Commercial-Broadway. They only operate during the rush. Still... isn't it hard to be thrilled when the train is more crowded

I remember being in Portland this past Spring 2012, studying the LRT system. I was heading back into downtown on the east-side MAX Blue Line, having decided to turn around and waiting for a train in the rain during the mid-day or late rush hour period. What arrived next after some 5-10 minutes was a single-car second-generation train. Trains are normally composed of two attached cars, with occassional arrivals by single-car consists (but very rare). This train was more crowded than the other MAX trains I rode during the day, though it was nowhere near SkyTrain levels. I found it tolerable, which might have to do with the different experiences I've had on SkyTrain.

But, that opinion wasn't really shared by many of the riders. One of the things I remember from this train ride was that the people on board were particularly bitter about being on it... about the slightly more crowded train

there was some discussion and moaning about how the train had a single car. I guess they just love their space (it wasn't even shoulder-to-shoulder, there was quite a bit of space to move around!), but I can see where else the bitter attitude might come from. MAX riders probably aren't as enthusiastic about their rail transit system. The service they're treated to isn't every 90 seconds like with us, nor is it as fast. Nor is it very reliable... this past October, MAX pinned a reliability/on-time service rating of under 75%, which was actually lower than the regional bus network's on-time percentage.

Meraki · #**10405** Posted **Jan 6, 2013, 10:53 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by xd_1771

Must've been a shuttle train from Commercial-Broadway. They only operate during the rush. Still... isn't it hard to be thrilled when the train is more crowded

I've heard about shuttle trains between Broadway and Waterfront running a 2-car MkII, but the time I caught one was from New West to Patterson, outside where you'd normally find a 2-car MkII.

logan5 · #**10406** Posted **Jan 16, 2013, 1:37 AM**

I don't take Skytrain to Surrey very often, so I just noticed today while going over the Expo Line bridge what looked like a middle set of tracks. The bridge deck was partially snow covered, so maybe I was seeing things.

worldwide · #**10407** Posted **Jan 16, 2013, 2:05 AM**

I think it's just a siding. I don't think it goes all the way across, but it could make it easier to expand. they park trains on it every once in a while I think.

nname · #**10408** Posted **Jan 16, 2013, 2:16 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by worldwide

I think it's just a siding. I don't think it goes all the way across, but it could make it easier to expand. they park trains on it every once in a while I think.

Nope, its just two rails that are not connected to the main track. There is no power rail and LIM rail. So it can't be used for train storage.

hollywoodnorth · #**10409** Posted **Jan 16, 2013, 2:18 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by logan5

I don't take Skytrain to Surrey very often, so I just noticed today while going over the Expo Line bridge what looked like a middle set of tracks. The bridge deck was partially snow covered, so maybe I was seeing things.

yup you can see them here >> http://youtu.be/WlNGpw4w0uA?t=1m7s

those 'middle' tracks are used for emergencies .... if a train is stuck out in the main bridge span they will set up this small service train type thing on that middle track and use it to ferry out firemen, skytrain staff, etc and potentially ferry OUT the stranded passengers. I have seen it being done as a drill on the bctv news hour. tried to find a clip on youtube but nothing.

logan5 · #**10410** Posted **Jan 16, 2013, 2:27 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by hollywoodnorth

yup you can see them here >> http://youtu.be/WlNGpw4w0uA?t=1m7s

those 'middle' tracks are used for emergencies .... if a train is stuck out in the main bridge span they will set up this small service train type thing on that middle track and use it to ferry out firemen, skytrain staff, etc and potentially ferry OUT the stranded passengers. I have seen it being done as a drill on the bctv news hour. tried to find a clip on youtube but nothing.

Mystery solved. Good answer!

xd_1771 · #**10411** Posted **Jan 17, 2013, 6:06 AM**

Great article on SkyTrain for Surrey today.
Has to do with what is probably one of the biggest risks on at-grade LRT. Centralizes on an example from yesterday that happened in Calgary. Apparently at least one person lost a job interview because of that

Quote:

An LRT Risk: Accident causes 90-minute disruption of Calgary LRT during PM rush

Photo: CBC

Supporters of at-grade Light Rail Transit on the Broadway corridor in Vancouver and in Surrey should make themselves aware of the potential negatives of the transit mode – and one of these potential negatives is an unpredictable reliability of service.

The Calgary Herald and other news sources have reported that there was recently an accident with an SUV on the Calgary C-Train Light Rail system. This happened yesterday at approximately 6PM, during the later part of the evening rush hour.

While the accident has thankfully claimed no lives on either the train or the SUV, there was something else that the accident claimed that night: on-time commutes.

The accident caused a reported 90-minute disruption of the Calgary C-Train Light Rail Transit service, during the late afternoon/evening peak hour.

aberdeen5698 · #**10412** Posted **Jan 17, 2013, 6:55 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by xd_1771

Great article on SkyTrain for Surrey today.
Has to do with what is probably one of the biggest risks on at-grade LRT.

To be fair, Skytrain has had its share of schedule disruptions too. I wouldn't place too much credence on a single incident - arguments based on a comparison of overall service reliability stats would hold a lot more weight.

AverageJoe · #**10413** Posted **Jan 17, 2013, 7:01 AM**

The Fraser Valley Heritage Railway is set to begin passenger-carrying railway operations with its heritage interurban cars out of Cloverdale.

It's set to start May 11, 2013 and will operate Saturdays, Sundays and holidays through to October 14, 2013.

http://www.fvhrs.org/

Meraki · #**10414** Posted **Jan 17, 2013, 7:05 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by xd_1771

Great article on SkyTrain for Surrey today.
Has to do with what is probably one of the biggest risks on at-grade LRT. Centralizes on an example from yesterday that happened in Calgary. Apparently at least one person lost a job interview because of that

Even as one of the biggest supporters of SkyTrain versus LRT, I don't see how this is newsworthy.

SkyTrain faces similar delays whenever there's a Medical Emergency *cough* one-under *cough* and it's just something that you have to deal with when running transit.

Every system has its occasional bad days, whether it's operator error on an LRT or computer problems at SkyTrain.

xd_1771 · #**10415** Posted **Jan 17, 2013, 7:08 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by aberdeen5698

arguments based on a comparison of overall service reliability stats would hold a lot more weight.

Well, the past three TransLink quarterly reports show SkyTrain reliability as having improved in 2012 vs 2011 - now closing on 96% (actually hitting 96% during Q2).

I'm looking for some stats on C-Train reliability by the percentage - but as far as I'm aware, it's known to be not too great. "passengers are still facing near-daily service stoppages" doesn't sound that good to me. SkyTrain could face similar delays but it is rare if ever - and getting rarer.

If Calgary C-Train is locally perceived to be that bad though, then I fear for Surrey and Broadway. C-Train is mostly on separated-ROW instead of fully on-street, and it is vastly different from what is being proposed.

Speaking of C-Train, while we're at it, something similar to the proposed Metrotown closure (Except with no temporary station) seems to be in place at the moment at Calgary's Chinook Station. Funny thing is it's like Metrotown in that it's the busiest station and services a large mall, yet they can apparently do with a shuttle bus. The closure lasts 8 months.

trofirhen · #**10416** Posted **Jan 17, 2013, 11:21 AM**

Perhaps the image in the back of many people's minds is a situation such as that in Houston, where LRT trams are continually being pranged by motor vehicles, particularly left-turns. It's things like that which have to be avoided at all costs. There are other such examples, of course, but the Houston system and its problems stand out as an "anti-role model"

YVR Bruce · #**10417** Posted **Jan 17, 2013, 3:19 PM**

Readers may remenber the Evergreen line (then the T Line?) had a naming contest for the Tri-Cities LRT.

At the time the Houston LRT was suffering a crash of some magnitude every 3days. Accordingly and for parallelism with the SkyTrain and SeaBus nonemclature, my choice was the SurfaceSmasher.

I'm happy with our fully segregated design...

trofirhen · #**10418** Posted **Jan 17, 2013, 3:35 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by YVR Bruce

Readers may remenber the Evergreen line (then the T Line?) had a naming contest for the Tri-Cities LRT.

At the time the Houston LRT was suffering a crash of some magnitude every 3days. Accordingly and for parallelism with the SkyTrain and SeaBus nonemclature, my choice was the SurfaceSmasher.

I'm happy with our fully segregated design...

You're happy with it, I'm happy with it, and I'm sure a few hundred thousand other riders in Metro are happy with it

red-paladin · #**10419** Posted **Jan 17, 2013, 4:10 PM**

I voted for Evergreen Line actually, though I lived in Alberta at the time and was ineligible. I put it under my mom's email address and forgot to ever tell her. Then I got a call one day from my dad saying he got a mug for picking the chosen name (along with seven other people I think) although he never remembered doing it. Needless to say I took the mug from him.

aberdeen5698 · #**10420** Posted **Jan 17, 2013, 5:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by xd_1771

Well, the past three TransLink quarterly reports show SkyTrain reliability as having improved in 2012 vs 2011 - now closing on 96% (actually hitting 96% during Q2).

I'd be very surprised if Skytrain wasn't more reliable precisely because it's grade separated. But you can't argue a case based on individual incidents. For example, I'd be just as dismissive of an argument based on one of the many equivalent incidents that have affected Skytrain service.