Millennium Line - Broadway Extension: Planning & Pre-Construction

[cganuelas1995]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

could more outlying suburbs do what west vancouver has done and run their own busses but still integrate it with the overall transit system. I think coquitlam at one point in time was looking at doing that as they felt there were too many underserved areas.

Well, according to wikipedia

Routes with trolley buses, articulated buses or suburban highway buses are noted as such. All route destination names are based on the official TransLink bus schedules. All routes are operated by Coast Mountain Bus Company except:

• Routes 250-259 and C12 (operated by West Vancouver Transit)

• Routes 609 and C60-C64 (operated by DW Services Ltd.)

• Routes C3 and C4 (operated by Metro Shuttle Service Ltd.)

• Routes C10 and C11 (operated by Bowen Island Community Transit Ltd.)

If we could sort of split up the CMBC's operations without 🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵 them off too much, I wonder what would happen.

[Jebby]

As long as the routes, payment scheme, branding, and schedules are regionally coordinated it's fine. But in that case why not just have a single entity?

[cganuelas1995]

Originally Posted by Jebby

As long as the routes, payment scheme, branding, and schedules are regionally coordinated it's fine. But in that case why not just have a single entity?

Including integrating the operators into TransLink? Why not make it a government entity if it's already not one?

[fredinno]

Originally Posted by trofirhen

I think that the entire system will, and should, remain Vancouver-centric simply because the city is the node for density, business and residential (and that includes Broadway)
HOWEVER, what I think is really necessary - and Freddino's design has an element of this - is that there be a large "circle line" which facilitates suburb-suburb travel.

I didn't really think of that- I just used it to replace a few frequent bus routes on similar corridors- and since 41 is used as overflow for Broadway. (and to access BCIT)

Hastings is hardly "suburban", and most of Boundary is supposed to densify enormously due to proximity to the Expo and Millennium.

So it was a coincidence, more than anything. It's also fairly expensive, so I'm not sure if I should cut out parts of the North Delta or "Vancouver Loop" Skytrains first.

Honestly, It would be nice to go from Maple Ridge to Tswassen, but that kind of service can only really be provided by commuter rail and BRT in the forseeable future.

I for one, would love a BRT or B-Line down 200 from Langley City to Maple Ridge, and across to South Surrey

[Jebby]

Originally Posted by cganuelas1995

Including integrating the operators into TransLink? Why not make it a government entity if it's already not one?

It doesn't really matter who the guy actually driving the bus is employed by, IMO.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by Jebby

It doesn't really matter who the guy actually driving the bus is employed by, IMO.

Unless they are a different union than other employees. Multiple unions = way more potential for overall labour disruption.

[swimmer_spe]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

Unless they are a different union than other employees. Multiple unions = way more potential for overall labour disruption.

I really wish a government would declare all people working for the government, or providing service for government be declared essential service. That would solve most union issues.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by swimmer_spe

I really wish a government would declare all people working for the government, or providing service for government be declared essential service. That would solve most union issues.

The government doesn't like that because then they have to deal with binding arbitration. That's why paramedics aren't declared one now but want to be:

http://bc.ctvnews.ca/paramedics-push-for-essential-services-designation-in-b-c-1.3265629

If, say, the BC Teachers were an essential service the government couldn't abuse them and it would cost them a lot more money.

I'm not going to pick a side, but "essential service" means a lot more than giving up the right to strike.

[GlassCity]

Poor service in suburban areas has absolutely nothing to do with TransLink discrimination or incompetence and everything to do with low density and dispersed destinations.

[Caliplanner1]

Originally Posted by GlassCity

Poor service in suburban areas has absolutely nothing to do with TransLink discrimination or incompetence and everything to do with low density and dispersed destinations.

....which ultimately becomes a dysfunctional economic issue of of low revenues versus higher operating costs etc..

[GlassCity]

Originally Posted by Caliplanner1

....which ultimately becomes a dysfunctional economic issue of of low revenues versus higher operating costs etc..

Yep, it's hard to run, much less improve, transit service where the ridership generators just aren't there.

[CanSpice]

Originally Posted by Feathered Friend

One interesting tidbit I picked up was that, in circles connected to this project, there is very hushed talk of phase 2 having a spur to go out to the new Jericho Lands Development. Keep in mind this is spoken more as a "moonshot" project rather than anything likely to happen.

This would be a fantastic idea, because then the SkyTrain could loop north and tunnel under English Bay and provide service to West Vancouver! Vancouver's third crossing could finally be a reality!

[Jebby]

Originally Posted by CanSpice

This would be a fantastic idea, because then the SkyTrain could loop north and tunnel under English Bay and provide service to West Vancouver! Vancouver's third crossing could finally be a reality!

West Vancouver doesn't need SkyTrain.

The entire North Shore doesn't even have 200,000 residents.

[cganuelas1995]

Originally Posted by Jebby

West Vancouver doesn't need SkyTrain.

The entire North Shore doesn't even have 200,000 residents.

Then why are they talking about SkyTrain to Langley?

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by Jebby

West Vancouver doesn't need SkyTrain.

The entire North Shore doesn't even have 200,000 residents.

Then why do they need any more than the 2 bridges they already have for cars?

[Alex Mackinnon]

Originally Posted by Jebby

West Vancouver doesn't need SkyTrain.

The entire North Shore doesn't even have 200,000 residents.

Neither did Burnaby or New Westminster combined when the Expo Line was built in 1985.

The main areas of the North Shore are within 10km of the regional core, have a high percentage of commuters to downtown, and are currently building lots of nodal density, which makes it ideal for rapid transit service.

If a Hastings Skytrain Line eventually happens, it's also a relatively short spur to double back to Lonsdale. Think of it as similar magnitude to Evergreen, but instead of a tunnel to Port Moody, it's a bridge to the North Shore.

[cganuelas1995]

Originally Posted by Alex Mackinnon

Neither did Burnaby or New Westminster combined when the Expo Line was built in 1985.

The main areas of the North Shore are within 10km of the regional core, have a high percentage of commuters to downtown, and are currently building lots of nodal density, which makes it ideal for rapid transit service.

If a Hastings Skytrain Line eventually happens, it's also a relatively short spur to double back to Lonsdale. Think of it as similar magnitude to Evergreen, but instead of a tunnel to Port Moody, it's a bridge to the North Shore.

The SkyTrain is just a hybrid of urban rapid transit and suburban rail.

[nname]

Originally Posted by cganuelas1995

If we could sort of split up the CMBC's operations without 🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵 them off too much, I wonder what would happen.

What is the point though? Route planning and scheduling is are still 100% controlled by TransLink. The contractor just receive a schedule and follows it (or be penalized if they don't). They have no say about the service besides feedback about bus load. They are not even allowed to run additional service on special occasion unless TransLink directed them to do so.

Even for the Blue Bus - TransLink wants the 251 and 252 to become a shuttle, they becomes a shuttle. The operator have no say in this whatsoever.

By the way, check out the new 372 route.. I think that fits your criteria too

[Bdawe]

Originally Posted by Jebby

West Vancouver doesn't need SkyTrain.

The entire North Shore doesn't even have 200,000 residents.

1) The Entire North Shore isn't all that far as the crow flies from the region's core, which enhances the value of transit all else being equal.

2) the Entire North Shore is subject to fairly fixed traffic chokepoints of only 9 road lanes. This makes transit relatively more attractive than it otherwise would be

I would expect a skytrain to the North Shore to attract unsually high mode-share, given the constraints of the area. The main barriers would seem to be the awkward geography.

[fredinno]

Originally Posted by CanSpice

This would be a fantastic idea, because then the SkyTrain could loop north and tunnel under English Bay and provide service to West Vancouver! Vancouver's third crossing could finally be a reality!

A combination elevator-gondola from Lonsdale to Waterfront would be cheaper.