Metro Vancouver Transit Discussion

[ninjakafi_81]

Originally Posted by sweetnhappy

According to this Buzzer Blog post, of the 21 new 15xxx Diesel-Electric Hybrids, 12 went to Surrey for the 96, while the remainder were to go to Burnaby for the 99, 135, and/or 44. I believe that Surrey got priority on the first buses which came in a few months ago so it makes sense the rest are now showing up for Burnaby. I recall when the new CNG 14xxx buses were being introduced it took a few months before all were in service.

Anyway, great to hear that more modern buses are making it into the fleet.

Apparently only 11 would be coming to Surrey and the remaining 10 would be out of Burnaby. Apparently 15012 was spotted with a B prefix, but when it was first delivered it had an S prefix.

Anyways, for you guys who like modern buses, 96 new 40ft buses will be arriving this year. 51 buses are going to be CNG and 45 will be straight diesel.

[Aroundtheworld]

Originally Posted by city-dweller

Translink is looking for a Manager for Mobility Pricing:

https://ams.cip-icu.ca/jobposting/Details/c5d5d766-3b5e-4fc0-b5f9-75087db22578

Interesting...

My thesis was focused solely on mobility pricing. Should I apply?

This sounds like a great opportunity. However, I'm working on a startup at the moment. Decisions.

[sweetnhappy]

Originally Posted by ninjakafi_81

Apparently only 11 would be coming to Surrey and the remaining 10 would be out of Burnaby. Apparently 15012 was spotted with a B prefix, but when it was first delivered it had an S prefix.

Anyways, for you guys who like modern buses, 96 new 40ft buses will be arriving this year. 51 buses are going to be CNG and 45 will be straight diesel.

Thanks for the info. Wonder if the Hamilton Transit Centre will be up and running by the time the CNGs arrive (since Poco is the only one with a refueling station for them atm).

[xd_1771]

Originally Posted by Large Cat

Sweet!

In other news, I just spotted an Xcelsior XDE60 with a 135 headsign and a B1xxxx number for the first time while sitting in a Starbucks downtown.

Same here. I also spotted S15011 yesterday on the 96 B-Line, that's part of the 2nd batch Surrey XDE60s so looks like the 96 is going to get a full fleet after all
The original Surrey allocation of D60LFs was 11 buses so I can see why they'd take out the extra bus that was supposed to come in, but it's also plausible that they're gonna keep some of the D60LF in service, and also distribute them between the 96 and other routes (perhaps on the revised 394 starting out next year and some others).

[ninjakafi_81]

Originally Posted by sweetnhappy

Thanks for the info. Wonder if the Hamilton Transit Centre will be up and running by the time the CNGs arrive (since Poco is the only one with a refueling station for them atm).

Hamilton will be up and running for the September service change and those 51 XN40's would be delivered in time for the opening of the new yard. The 45 XD40's are to be operated out of Richmond, so expect the 1995 - 1998 D40LF's out of Richmond to be retired this year to make space for the new buses.

[Large Cat]

Originally Posted by ninjakafi_81

Hamilton will be up and running for the September service change and those 51 XN40's would be delivered in time for the opening of the new yard. The 45 XD40's are to be operated out of Richmond, so expect the 1995 - 1998 D40LF's out of Richmond to be retired this year to make space for the new buses.

Wow, I'd heard about the new depot, but not about the new 40 foot buses. Such great news! Cptdb says they're all going to have air conditioning too! Will be a HUGE improvement for Richmond passengers especially.

[Kokkei Mizu]

Millennium Line from VCC-Clark - Waterfront.

Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkL0xkcZrNxDUMijPQcAQQsW38pEIjguF

And the first video:
• Video Link

[logicbomb]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/metro-vancouver-transit-strike-vote-1.3543989

Here we go guys...The real deal. Unlike 2001, we've seen a significant increase in traffic on the roads and more people dependent on the transit system. A strike would literally cripple the city.

[Mac Write]

Let the entertainment begin (I rely in transit as I am legally blind and can't drive).

[Sheba]

Thankfully the Skytrain is bound to keep running - I don't think it was closed for a week (more like a few days) last time this happened. Then it was only Expo Line and now there's also Millennium and maybe Canada Line (different 'ownership' so I don't know what will happen). It'll still leave a lot of people screwed though.

Did you read any of the comments under the article? There's a lot of TransLink hate being spewed there...

[logicbomb]

Originally Posted by Sheba

Thankfully the Skytrain is bound to keep running - I don't think it was closed for a week (more like a few days) last time this happened. Then it was only Expo Line and now there's also Millennium and maybe Canada Line (different 'ownership' so I don't know what will happen). It'll still leave a lot of people screwed though.

Did you read any of the comments under the article? There's a lot of TransLink hate being spewed there...

This might be the final nail in the coffin in terms of any government standing up to deliver more funding for Translink; especially if the media (CTV/Global BC) start with their anti-transit + union agenda.

This coupled with the closure of the Patullo could make traffic an absolute nightmare in Metro Van.

[Tfreder]

Originally Posted by Sheba

Thankfully the Skytrain is bound to keep running - I don't think it was closed for a week (more like a few days) last time this happened. Then it was only Expo Line and now there's also Millennium and maybe Canada Line (different 'ownership' so I don't know what will happen). It'll still leave a lot of people screwed though.

Did you read any of the comments under the article? There's a lot of TransLink hate being spewed there...

I feel like I'm starting to get desensitized to all of these insane commenters on news articles since there's just so many of them. My favourite was the person who claimed the roads will be less congested since all of the buses will be off the roads

A strike would be such a headache, but for selfish reasons I can't help but think a strike would be a huge wakeup call to everyone who's hell-bent against Translink when they realize how many cars our transit system keeps off the road. But anyways, I'm sure an agreement will hopefully be reached before any action happens.

[Waders]

Originally Posted by logicbomb

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/metro-vancouver-transit-strike-vote-1.3543989

Here we go guys...The real deal. Unlike 2001, we've seen a significant increase in traffic on the roads and more people dependent on the transit system. A strike would literally cripple the city.

I still remember that strike 15 years ago. I didn't have a car so I walked 1.5 hours to/from work every day for almost 4 months. Luckily the strike happened in Spring/Summer.
If I remembered correctly, the strike ended after the "back-to-work" legislation was introduced by the provincial government.

One good thing the strike did to me was my improved heath due to the extra exercise.

[MIPS]

Might be a good time to get my bike repaired....

[Kisai]

Originally Posted by Sheba

Thankfully the Skytrain is bound to keep running - I don't think it was closed for a week (more like a few days) last time this happened. Then it was only Expo Line and now there's also Millennium and maybe Canada Line (different 'ownership' so I don't know what will happen). It'll still leave a lot of people screwed though.

Did you read any of the comments under the article? There's a lot of TransLink hate being spewed there...

No, that's the general tone of CBC comments:
- The government is always wrong, always
- Quebec slamming
- frequently off topic
- frequent concern trolling

Like they actually close commenting on stories after about one day because the inane moderation problem they have. They don't even allow comments on anything regarding race because the racist bigots come out en masse.

Regardless of that.

If the bus union goes on strike, that has no effect on the Skytrain lines other than some guilt tripping about crossing picket lines. If you're not a union person, feel free to ignore it all. Translink management will still be around and Transit police would still be checking fares even if the Skytrain union refuses to cross the picket line.

[BCPhil]

Originally Posted by Kisai

No, that's the general tone of CBC comments:
- The government is always wrong, always
- Quebec slamming
- frequently off topic
- frequent concern trolling

Like they actually close commenting on stories after about one day because the inane moderation problem they have. They don't even allow comments on anything regarding race because the racist bigots come out en masse.

Regardless of that.

If the bus union goes on strike, that has no effect on the Skytrain lines other than some guilt tripping about crossing picket lines. If you're not a union person, feel free to ignore it all. Translink management will still be around and Transit police would still be checking fares even if the Skytrain union refuses to cross the picket line.

You left out the general hate of Christy Clark that borders on male chauvinism.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by BCPhil

You left out the general hate of Christy Clark that borders on male chauvinism.

I find the people who are upset with the status quo will always bring the hate on comment threads, in particular for news stories.

It doesn't seem to matter what slant the actual news outlet might have. It seemed like things changed overnight after the federal election. In the years prior, it was all hatred of Harper and "Neo-Cons". Then suddenly after Trudeau was elected, it was hatred of the "wasteful spending" Liberals. You can't win, they really aren't worth reading.

[Waders]

Originally Posted by Kisai

If the bus union goes on strike, that has no effect on the Skytrain lines other than some guilt tripping about crossing picket lines. If you're not a union person, feel free to ignore it all. Translink management will still be around and Transit police would still be checking fares even if the Skytrain union refuses to cross the picket line.

If bus union goes on strike and set up picket line at Skytrain stations, the whole Skytrain system will be forced to shut down.
During the 2001 bus driver strike, I remembered that was exactly what happened as Skytrain staffs refused to cross the picket line.
Without enough staffs, the Skytrain system was deemed not "safe" to operate?

[Kisai]

Originally Posted by Waders

If bus union goes on strike and set up picket line at Skytrain stations, the whole Skytrain system will be forced to shut down.
During the 2001 bus driver strike, I remembered that was exactly what happened as Skytrain staffs refused to cross the picket line.
Without enough staffs, the Skytrain system was deemed not "safe" to operate?

What I recall is that trains were running because management was running them. They had no way to enforce fare payment (predating Transit police) and there were signs taped to the ticket machines saying not to pay, which later were torn down that same day.

[Gordon]

Skytrain should not be affected by a bus drivers strike because CMBC 7 BCRTC are considered separate employers so drivers would not be allowed to picket the ops center causing the trains to shut down.
Hopefully the government will not allow a strike to last our months this time.

wat wages increases ar the transit operators demanding?