SkyTrain Station Renovations

[officedweller]

Did they retain the upper part in mesh for ventilation?

[Millennium2002]

They probably cheapened out and thought that replacing all of the mesh panels would cost too much and be of too much work for what is supposed to be a moderately simple retrofit job...

[Waders]

Probaby due to budget constraint.
The fare gate project is not cheap. Just the supply and installation of faregate glass barriers cost $1.4 millions(source)

[Mac Write]

I really wish they had "tinted" the glass so that it's obvious glass is there, as someone who is legally blind and and it not looking at the level the blue Translink sticker is, I will bump into it. Another fix would be a blue translink sticker at the bottom of the glass then I would be able to see that (actually yellow would be allot easer to see).

[aberdeen5698]

Originally Posted by Mac Write

I really wish they had "tinted" the glass so that it's obvious glass is there, as someone who is legally blind and and it not looking at the level the blue Translink sticker is, I will bump into it. Another fix would be a blue translink sticker at the bottom of the glass then I would be able to see that (actually yellow would be allot easer to see).

You should pass that suggestion on to Translink. They may not be able to do anything about about the stuff that's already installed, but they might update their practices for future installations.

[Waders]

Even a normal person can bump into those glass barriers if he/she is absent-minded/distracted. Quite a few glass barriers have yellow plastic strip wrapped around them to alert people. I think Translink is aware of the potential issue but it doesn't hurt to send in your suggestion.

[SpongeG]

the templeton station glass is pretty easy to bump into, saw a few people do it

[djh]

Ftfy

Originally Posted by waders

even a normal sighted person can bump into those glass barriers if he/she is absent-minded/distracted. Quite a few glass barriers have yellow plastic strip wrapped around them to alert people. I think translink is aware of the potential issue but it doesn't hurt to send in your suggestion.

[MIPS]

Why not use a decal similar to the "M-Line" decals you see on the skybridge windows over Broadway except they say "SkyTrain" instead?

[Mac Write]

I have bumped into the glass around the benches on the M Line as even with decals they are small and I can't see them easily.

[deasine]

Curious @Mac Write, do you or would you use the tactile wayfinding tiles like the ones found on the Canada Line (pictured below, dark grey)?


(Via Robert Schwandl)

[cornholio]

Originally Posted by Mac Write

I really wish they had "tinted" the glass so that it's obvious glass is there, as someone who is legally blind and and it not looking at the level the blue Translink sticker is, I will bump into it. Another fix would be a blue translink sticker at the bottom of the glass then I would be able to see that (actually yellow would be allot easer to see).

You sound like someone who something like Google glasses could make a big difference for, once they come out and the competition in that market heats up. You wont need tinted glass as they will tinit it for you, and highlight obstacles and what not. Sounds like this is going to be life altering technology for you so long as someone takes the time to enhance it for people with limited vision to help them out.

[Mac Write]

I have no depth perception and am told I don't see out of the centre of my eyes (uh?). I have to see things close. As for google Glass being on disability, it's out of my price range, living on $95/month.

[DKaz]

Google Glass will drop down to $300 guaranteed.

[Mac Write]

I prefer iOS. Also the font size on Google glass is too small for me.

[nname]

Metrotown Station Upgrade and open house

So the new station is going to have 3 entrances. Two entrances on each side will have both up, down escalators and stairs, and the centre entrance will have stairs and 2 elevators. But seems like the direct connection to the mall will be removed so everyone have to get down to the ground floor to enter fare gates? And with this new config, it would be very hard to extend the station platform past 80m?

[Mac Write]

Ya. also it will be a very busy crossing to get to the mall bus loop. Going to be a mess. Also that over-head walk-way still won't be accessible.

[mr.x]

Yeah, I don't like the new arrangement for Metrotown.

1) The overhead passarelle is already severely congested given how narrow it is, and it's going to get even more congested considering everyone needs to use it to not only get to the SkyTrain station but also to the new bus loop.

I'm guessing they couldn't decide who should pay for a wider overpass. they probably want to defer it to the developers who will likely turn the old bus loop site into more condos (or perhaps Metrotown has plans for retail expansion in that space...who knows).

2) i don't like how the overpass leads to a set of stairs down to at-grade and that you have to take another set of stairs/escalators to the station platform level. That staircase is going to be chaotic - it needs to be much wider and it should have up/down escalators and an elevator too considering all the foot traffic.

3) I liked the original vision of having an above-grade station mezzaine/ticketing concourse where the overpass would lead directly into the station structure. No unnecessary trips up and down staircases.

[quobobo]

What a nightmare.

I travel to Metrotown daily, and the vast majority of the people I see getting off the train go directly to Metrotown through the passerelle. Despite that, the upgrades make it more difficult to get directly to the mall and office towers?

This is just absurd. I'll be bringing this up at the open house.

[Waders]

With this design, I actually think there will be less foot traffic on the overhead passarelle.
With the new bus exchange under the west end of the station, passengers transferring from/to skytrain and bus no longer need to use the passarelle.
Passengers travelling from/to the station and mall would simply cross the street as it is more convienent since the faregate is at the ground level.