Metro Vancouver Transit Discussion

[memememe76]

I hate those backward facing seats. Not because of the configuration itself, its just that people always put their feet onto the seats!

That's because there is no leg room whatsoever. Hate them.

[deasine]

Originally Posted by memememe76

That's because there is no leg room whatsoever. Hate them.

Therefore, that gives it legitimacy to put your feet up?

[TransitJack]

Originally Posted by Landmate

Regarding the next order of "high-floor" minibuses for the community shuttles ...

I don't get why Translink doesn't operate intermediate-capacity minibuses like the old Escort REs from the early nineties. These were last used in Nanaimo after an unsuccessful run in Whonnock. They've long since been scrapped. Pic here on flickr, by Graham Johnson.

I think the whole community shuttle concept was less popular back then, since these original routes were brand new, but now would be a great time to reintroduce a similar vehicle on routes that have already been established and have justifiable ridership levels.

That's a shame.to see how it met its end.. I remember these old buses when they were first introduced in Maple Ridge, replacing the old "airport shuttles" they used when the municipality first joined the GVRD.

They were quite noisy though, with the wheelchair lift rattling like crazy, but were a good size for the routes they served.

[Landmate]

I've never found any photographs of these buses in revenue service, and was particularly curious if any riders/transit employees have shots of what the interiors looked like back then.

On the topic of the Escort RE, Thor/ElDorado National still builds them. I had a browse on their corporate webpage and there's some interesting configurations, including a city-bused sized 37 foot version, and an unpowered-trailer articulated variant called the Transmark (picture at the bottom of this page). Quite the versatile looking midibus - I wonder why so few Canadian municipalities use them?

[nname]

The drivers for the shuttle are different than the ones for convention bus. Shuttle drivers only require class 4 license while regular bus driver require class 2. Hence they are paid at a different rate. Since in BC, class 4 license limits the number of passenger to 24, so no matter how big the vehicle is, the driver can still only take 24 people. To carry more people, they have to be driven by the same drivers as the conventional bus, thus resulting a much lower saving that they might as well run regular buses at a lower frequency.

[xd_1771]

Be on the lookout, you guys: the Caribbean Days Festival in North Van is warranting 10 minute SeaBus service with all 3 SeaBuses this weekend!

[DKaz]

I'm planning to go on kid friendly Sunday. Saturday is more geared towards adults.

[go_leafs_go02]

A lot happening this weekend - especially Saturday

4 PM Whitecaps game
7 PM One Direction concert
10 PM Celebration of Light

Caribbean carnival

[Mac Write]

I was at Columbia station at 6:10PM and 5 trains for King George came in a row. That's a little unusual.

[Ehlun]

Originally Posted by memememe76

That's because there is no leg room whatsoever. Hate them.

I wonder if when they got through their mid-life refurbishment, will TransLink consider taking out the two forward facing seats and replace it with a single side seat. Will address the lack of leg room?



Also, should TransLink really be purchasing 40-foot buses when there is overcrowding and no funding for extra service hours?

[Tfreder]

Originally Posted by nname

19 is pretty far down the list to have articulated trolley.

10 currently runs 4-5min at peak, 9-10min off-peak. With articulated trolley, service will be reduced to every 6min peak and 12min off-peak.

Th 19 is only running every 10min peak and 15min off-peak. That's far less demand compared to the 10.

You're right, the 19 runs less frequently than the 10. However, according to ridership data from 2012, the 19 has 800,000 more riders annually.

So if the 19 uses less buses + has more more riders, wouldn't that make it more crowded on buses?

[splashflash]

Originally Posted by Tfreder

You're right, the 19 runs less frequently than the 10. However, according to ridership data from 2012, the 19 has 800,000 more riders annually.

So if the 19 uses less buses + has more more riders, wouldn't that make it more crowded on buses?

The 19 run is longer, all the way to Stanley Park from Metrotown compared to Marpole to DT.

[go_leafs_go02]

http://www.translink.ca/en/About-Us/Governance-and-Board/Bylaws/Tariff-Changes.aspx

Translink removing some discount fare programs, fare saver tickets, and more. Most changes to be in effect January 1, 2014.

[WarrenC12]

I'm surprised they are wiping out the annual employer pass discount, that's rough.

[go_leafs_go02]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

I'm surprised they are wiping out the annual employer pass discount, that's rough.

Me too. 15% savings for employees with 25 or more registered employees is gone. - Apparently over 25,000 registered at this point.

[st7860]

No more faresavers.

Wonder if they'll keep the fare deferral receipts.

[red-paladin]

This is brutal. I have an employee yearly pass and love it.

[WarrenC12]

My only thought here is that the Compass pass will "handle" most of these options, but this is a PR failure.

[Gordon]

I wondered how the employee pass plan would be administered.
When is Translink planning to go live with compass?

[go_leafs_go02]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

My only thought here is that the Compass pass will "handle" most of these options, but this is a PR failure.

Surprised they didn't unveil these changes WITH the Compass card unveiling, like explanation of fares, discounted fares, etc.