Metro Vancouver Transit Discussion

[GlassCity]

Originally Posted by trofirhen

What about B-line frequencies please, if you know. Thanx

They're available on the official 10 Year Vision page here, but I"ll post them for convenience's sake in case anybody else is curious.

Hastings B-Line (replacing the 135): 5-8 minutes peak, 12-15 minutes off-peak

Lougheed Highway (Coquitlam to Maple Ridge, along the 701 route) B-Line: "At least every 15 minutes"

Marine Drive (North Shore) B-Line: "At least every 15 minutes"

Fraser Highway B-Line: Up to 8 minutes peak, at least every 15 minutes off-peak

41st Avenue B-Line (Replacing the 43): Up to 5 minutes peak, 10-15 minutes off-peak

Since the Richmond-Metrotown is not part of this phase, they don't have any information on it, but it too would be at least every 15 minutes, since it would have to be on the Frequent Transit Network.

[Express691]

Originally Posted by GlassCity

Fraser Highway B-Line: Up to 8 minutes peak, at least every 15 minutes off-peak

Ive experienced AM rush and although its 14 buses max going WB from 168th, youre only really able to get on every third or 4th, which means youre really waiting upwards of 20 minutes regardless of the frequency is 4 minutes for combined 395 and 502. Yeah the 345 helps out at 152nd but it barely does any good, especially with passengers waiting at 148th with both 395s and 502s being full.

Frequency is already 6 minutes WB East of 168th and buses are already full by the time you reach 160th. Should it decrease to 8 minutes then I better see artics on the route.

[GlassCity]

Originally Posted by Express691

Ive experienced AM rush and although its 14 buses max going WB from 168th, youre only really able to get on every third or 4th, which means youre really waiting upwards of 20 minutes regardless of the frequency is 4 minutes for combined 395 and 502. Yeah the 345 helps out at 152nd but it barely does any good, especially with passengers waiting at 148th with both 395s and 502s being full.

Frequency is already 6 minutes WB East of 168th and buses are already full by the time you reach 160th. Should it decrease to 8 minutes then I better see artics on the route.

It does say "up to", and I imagine the 395 and 502 would remain, so it would only be adding service?

[Express691]

I do suppose the 502 be a supplemental route to whatever the new B-line, at probably every 20 minutes. My earlier post was under the assumption that the 502 was simply upgraded.

Now that I think about it, 502 can just be a supplemental route that runs every 20 or so minutes. Wonder if anything will happen to the 503 though. Suppose Fraser highway will be the next 104th with 3 different service types on the corridor - Express, Drop Off Only, and Local.

[Metro-One]

The all Lougheed Highway B Line will be a great improvement for Maple Ridge.

Also, did I read this document correctly. They plan to start construction of the Broadway Subway and Surrey LRT in 2018?

That would be the same time as the Pattullo (and GMT replacement) bridges.

Potentially a lot of major projects at the same time in Metro Van.

[GlassCity]

Originally Posted by Express691

I do suppose the 502 be a supplemental route to whatever the new B-line, at probably every 20 minutes. My earlier post was under the assumption that the 502 was simply upgraded.

Now that I think about it, 502 can just be a supplemental route that runs every 20 or so minutes. Wonder if anything will happen to the 503 though. Suppose Fraser highway will be the next 104th with 3 different service types on the corridor - Express, Drop Off Only, and Local.

Going just off of precedent, nothing usually happens to the local routes on a corridor where B-Lines are introduced. Even with express routes, you still need local routes taking care of all the stops in between to keep the same level of access. Furthermore, their frequency shouldn't be altered either, as the demand usually remains. Think the 9 on Broadway for example. So the 502 will likely stay on the Frequent Transit Network I imagine.

Don't think anything will happen to the 503, as it needs to continue running to provide access to Aldergrove.

[GlassCity]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

The all Lougheed Highway B Line will be a great improvement for Maple Ridge.

Also, did I read this document correctly. They plan to start construction of the Broadway Subway and Surrey LRT in 2018?

That would be the same time as the Pattullo (and GMT replacement) bridges.

Potentially a lot of major projects at the same time in Metro Van.

That's how I read it too. Crazy if true, but I think it's wishful thinking on their part at this point. We'll have to wait and see what happens in the next year or two.

[CanSpice]

Originally Posted by Geof

Was it ever (at least it was a decade ago when I took it). I found the 97 shockingly slow - though my impression was that most people figured it out and took the 169.

It still is. Unless you're heading west on the SkyTrain from Lougheed after catching the bus, the 169 is much faster than the 97. Even when the 169 goes through Riverview it's still faster. I've done the trip from Coquitlam Centre to New West both ways, and every time the 169 is faster.

[retro_orange]

'Bursting at seams' transit needs federal cash infusion, CEO says


'If people reject this then it's back to the drawing board ... there is no plan B'

By Yvette Brend, CBC News Posted: Oct 13, 2016 5:37 PM PT Last Updated: Oct 13, 2016 5:37 PM PT


New TransLink CEO Kevin Desmond says now is the time to leverage the promise of 50 per cent in federal funding for transit projects. (Yvette Brend/CBC)


Vancouver's transit heads have a plan to revive a system of crammed SkyTrains and overcrowded buses but they need the federal promise of 50 per cent funding for it to come true.
That promise would mean Ottawa would have to chip in billions to make the 10-Year Vision for Metro Vancouver a reality.
Even Phase 1 funding would be the first big boost the overtaxed system has seen since the Canada Line was built in 2009.
Seven-month CEO Kevin Desmond is short on cash but not clichés.
He​ says the system he's taken over is both "bursting at the seams" and "treading water."

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson says B.C. deserves a transit system that matches its economic footprint in Canada after creating most of Canada's job growth last year. (Rafferty Baker/CBC)

He's counting on a recent promise from Ottawa, one that came his third day on the job as head of the transit service.
"That was the catalyst that changed everything," said Desmond.
"We are talking big money," he said, unable to clarify yet exactly how much the federal government is being asked to provide.
The New Yorker graduated from taxis to New York subway planning and went on to manage Seattle's transit system, increasing ridership there 44 per cent.
If people want better transit in B.C., he says, now is the time.

TransLink garners most of its operating budget from fares but needs to do better when it comes to customer service, according to new CEO Kevin Desmond. (Roland Tanglao/Flickr)

"We don't have a Plan B," he said, if the federal government doesn't follow through on a pledge to match funding on transit projects at 50 per cent.
If he can get the mayors to sign on by November, agreeing to "pretty modest" tax hikes and fare increases, he promises consumers will see improved bus service as early as April 2017.
The increases amount to:

• A five to 10-cent fare increase.
• A $1 to $3 monthly fare increase.
• A $3 increase on residential properties.
• A $45 increase on commercial properties.

He knows the plan to get approval may not work.
"If people reject this, then it's back to the drawing board," he said, emphasizing that Ottawa's promise is also crucial to the success of the multi-phased project.
Desmond lauds TransLink for already garnering 52 per cent of operating costs from fares, while keeping those fares lower than most in North America.
He is promising to up Translink's game when it comes to customer service and to be transparent and really listen to riders.
"It's a no brainer," he said, describing the performance dashboard he plans to add to TransLink's website.
But even if he can get buy-in on fee increases and tax hikes, federal funding is not guaranteed.
Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson is urging people to lobby Ottawa to give Vancouver the money needed for its 10-year plan. He says there is an economic argument, with B.C. producing the most jobs in the country.
"We need to get momentum," said Robertson. "We've let transit slip too long."

Vancouver's 10-year vision for transit would cost $7.5 billion in new capital spending. (Roland Tanglao/Flickr)

"We came through the valley of death, which was the transit referendum." he said.
Robertson admits it's going to be another fight.
Cities across Canada will be competing and Vancouver needs billions for its long-term plan.
"Certainly there are cross pressures and lots of competition. We want to make sure we are at the front of the line," said Vancouver's mayor.
Phase 1

In June, the Mayor's Council welcomed $616 million in new investment from the federal and provincial governments towards 14 new capital projects.
These would be completed as part of the first two to three years of a longer-term plan.
TransLink planned to match funding with another $125 million in regional capital investment.
Phase 1 priorities would include:

• $345 million to modernize and expand rapid transit, adding 28 SkyTrain, 22 Canada Line and five West Coast Express cars as well as a third Sea Bus.
• $157 million toward work on Broadway and south of the Fraser LRT projects.
• $94 million to modernize and prepare bus and rail networks for key transit exchanges from North Vancouver to Surrey, B.C., to be completed in the 10-year plan.

Phase 2 and beyond would include:

• $150 million for a new bus depot.
• $765 million for Expo and Millennium Line upgrades.
• $1,980 million for rapid transit along Vancouver's Broadway corridor to Arbutus.
• $52 million for Canada Line upgrades.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-co...eattle-ottawa-gregor-robertson-1.3803660

[WBC]

Originally Posted by retro_orange

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-co...eattle-ottawa-gregor-robertson-1.3803660

I was under impression that Phase 1 is a done deal? What is the drama all about?

[Metro-One]

Originally Posted by WBC

I was under impression that Phase 1 is a done deal? What is the drama all about?

It seems that phase 1 of phase 1 is a done deal.

This is the entire 10 year plan which includes Broadway Skytrain, and Surrey LRT.

[WBC]

TransLink CEO hails Compass card as 'big success', with rising revenue and ridership
Vancouver Sun
JENNIFER SALTMAN
DERRICK PENNER
Published on: October 13, 2016 | Last Updated: October 13, 2016 6:18 PM PDT

http://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/...uccess-with-rising-revenue-and-ridership

.
..
...
Since closing all fare gates at SkyTrain and Canada Line stations in early April, TransLink fare revenue is up eight to nine per cent, Desmond said, which he attributes to a combination of reduced fare evasion and a two-per-cent increase in ridership.

Based on year-to-date results and factoring in seasonality, it’s estimated that will translate to a $25-$30 million increase in fare revenue for 2016 compared to 2015.
...
..
.

Interesting so the fare evasion was a bit higher then estimated...Not hugely higher but still more then what was said before the gates were put in.

[AMTDGT]

I noticed to day on Pacific Blvd @ cambie, the trolley crews were putting up cable - lookeded line anchor guys, but it was the translink trolley crew doing the work on sone recently installed poles. Are they about to added trolley busses on Pacific Blvd

[Meraki]

Originally Posted by AMTDGT

I noticed to day on Pacific Blvd @ cambie, the trolley crews were putting up cable - lookeded line anchor guys, but it was the translink trolley crew doing the work on sone recently installed poles. Are they about to added trolley busses on Pacific Blvd

The 6 is going to be extended down Davie. Instead of turning at Granville it will continue down to Pacific Blvd., then up Cambie.

This should solve the problems of constant full shuttles/pass-ups of the C23 at Yaletown-Roundhouse. People who normally take the 6 to Granville station will go to Stadium instead.

[WarrenC12]

So how is that 5-6 thing going to work? Will they have buses going in both directions and switching numbers at those points?

[GlassCity]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

It seems that phase 1 of phase 1 is a done deal.

This is the entire 10 year plan which includes Broadway Skytrain, and Surrey LRT.

That's not how I understand it...I think Phase 1 is Phase 1 of the entire 10 year plan, as Phase 2 is supposed to start the Millennium Line extension for example, so in total the three phases should cover the entire plan.

From what I understand, Phase 1 is not yet a done deal because while a funding solution has been determined by TransLink, the Mayors still have to vote in favour of it in order for it to proceed.

[jsbertram]

Montreal Metro is 50!

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/montreal-metro-50-years-1.3804577

[jsbertram]

Originally Posted by Meraki

The 6 is going to be extended down Davie. Instead of turning at Granville it will continue down to Pacific Blvd., then up Cambie.

This should solve the problems of constant full shuttles/pass-ups of the C23 at Yaletown-Roundhouse. People who normally take the 6 to Granville station will go to Stadium instead.

Lotsa west-enders are gonna be p!ssed their usual bus no longer runs on Granville, which it has done for their entire lives.

These changes mean a bus change at granville /davie and granville /pender for them to get to their usual granville spots.

[Vin]

In that case, they should add another bus stop just in front of 2 Parrots on Davie (Eastbound) to allow passengers to transfer at Granville/Davie without having to walk too far. Lots of retirees live in the West End.

On another note, nice to see a permanent trolley bus line coming back to the East-Davie/Pacific Boulevard area. These buses have higher capacities than the little shuttle buses that often leave passengers stranded when they get full, especially at Yaletown Station. I also hope they add more 5s and 6s to improve the frequencies of these buses. More buses on the Cambie area can also help ferry passengers going to-and-fro the stadiums and the new Casino more efficiently.

I wonder why they can't extend the C21 all the way into the Olympic Village. Stopping at the huge sparrow plaza and looping back to English Way is way better than stopping in front of Terminal Railway Station.

[Meraki]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

So how is that 5-6 thing going to work? Will they have buses going in both directions and switching numbers at those points?

Yes, the same way it works today.

At Denman/Davie: 5 Robson becomes 6 Downtown, 6 Davie becomes 5 Downtown.
At Cambie/Pender: 5 Downtown becomes 6 Davie, 6 Downtown becomes 5 Robson.