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Originally Posted by TransitJack
What party wants it partially opened? Translink has never stated they want to operate to Burquitlam in a staged opening. From a planning and operations prospective with bus route coordination, why would they want to make more work for themselves?
The project is ongoing. The tunnel has delays but is still planned for completion, albeit delayed. You don't re-negotiate, or "open a new negotiation" over this type of delay. Translink isn't involved in the construction of EG other than subsidiary projects like Lougheed integration and Broadway/Commercial improvements. The provincial government put the project to tender and they are the ones who turn the keys over to Translink when complete. I don't believe they have indicated any desire to have a staged opening either. The BC Libs will want the P3 model to reflect private sector absorbing cost over runs and I wouldn't be surprised if they at some point announce how great P3s are for this very reason.
This type of payment plan is quite common in the industry. The companies involved have to or have already budgeted for this, their employees have been paid. If nothing else, this delay provides a good example of how the P3 model keeps the risks of overruns on the private sector, not the public.
I think all this fuss is blown out of proportion by a Global news reporter whom in his own story used a lot of words like "might" and "maybe". He talks about "rusty rails" in the report, but new rail is rusty until they profile grind it (which clearly they don't need to do yet -- they are still installing it). http://globalnews.ca/news/2189822/evergreen-line-delays-causes-financial-pain-for-contractor/ |
Nothing is set in stone. Just because Translink isn't floating the idea around with focus groups and community panels doesn't mean it isn't something they wouldn't want to do in the future if the reality on the ground changes.
If this tunnel is delayed any further, it is a plausible option to open part early.
As it was, a Summer 2016 launch was a great time for change. It's summer, traffic is low, people are upbeat; the time is ripe for change. And there will be a lot of change when Evergreen opens. So it is best to institute that change (de-integrating of Millennium/Expo line, new/changed bus routes) when it affects the fewest number of people, so when a lot of riders come back to the system after summer break, all the kinks and bugs are worked out and it can handle the rush.
As it is, a Fall 2016 launch is not much of a delay. It does make it harder to institute change, as people tend to not like change in rainy depressing October after they have settled into their winter routine. But the delay is so short between summer and fall that it might not be better off forcing change than easing it in somehow. However, opening Burquitlam in the summer would allow them to introduce the biggest change/shock at a more appropriate time, de-integration of E/M lines. It would also be great to have increased frequency on the Millennium line starting in September for the school rush.
As it might be, a 2017 opening is pushing the line way back. If that becomes the reality Translink's public opinion might change. Besides the fact of trying to curb public disappointment on the delay, there are costs associated with Translink's work they need to do to get ready for Evergreen. Letting buses sit idle amortizing and deferring staff hiring is costly in it's own way. It takes time and money for an organization to plan for a transition. Opening part of the line can actually let Translink put some of its plans in place (which I'm sure are well in the works).
Just the change in operation of the Millennium line, allowing greater, independent frequency on the both lines, can make a lot of people happy and increase ridership, generating revenue. While doing nothing and just waiting can cost Translink in other ways (planning dollars thrown out he window, bad PR, stale ridership).
Is it something they are actively looking at now? No, because I think we all still hope Fall 2016 is a reality. If it is not, then the tune might change. If it is Spring 2017? Who knows. Translink might want to put in motion some of their plans, and I'm sure SNC wouldn't mind a bit of a cash infusion for work they've actually finished.
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