Metro Vancouver Transit Discussion

[Nites]

self cleaning?

[MIPS]

Originally Posted by skymaster

self cleaning?

Well they are pretty simple inside, plus quite well engineered for being vandalism resistant so there are not a lot of small nooks or places objects such as rubbish can hide. After you leave and every so often during the day it locks the door and sprays the interior down.

[aberdeen5698]

The Buzzer has a blog post about the new Seabus under construction...

[Pinion]

Originally Posted by aberdeen5698

The Buzzer has a blog post about the new Seabus under construction...

Why are they just starting now...? Literally over 10 years since 10 minute intervals were promised and I won't be living in the city by the time it comes to fruition.

[Mac Write]

Wait? They are building a third new sea bus I thought it was an idea. so does this mean both the beaver and otter are now on death row? We need a spare seabus at all times.

[GeeCee]

Originally Posted by Mac Write

Wait? They are building a third new sea bus I thought it was an idea. so does this mean both the beaver and otter are now on death row? We need a spare seabus at all times.

The Otter was sent to the scrapyard a few years back, the Beaver got a refit. The Otter II and Breeze are new, so I assume that the Beaver will be the spare one with the new one going into full service.

[aberdeen5698]

Originally Posted by Pinion

Why are they just starting now...? Literally over 10 years since 10 minute intervals were promised and I won't be living in the city by the time it comes to fruition.

Unfortunately an annoying little thing called the transit referendum occurred between now and then.

[cganuelas1995]

Who else is watching the double decker bus pilot kick off right now?

[Express691]

Originally Posted by cganuelas1995

Who else is watching the double decker bus pilot kick off right now?

That was a live video, but basically
1) they are potential highway coach replacements
2) They are to appear on 311 351 354 601 620 301 555 (as far as I know two-thirds of the trial period on weekends will be on the 620).
3) It appears the bus has space for 3 bikes.
4) 5'7" headroom upstairs (GoTransit's has shorter headroom)

Though the bus wrap looks rather childish in my opinion, it is a step in the right direction. Of course if they do end up purchasing them they will be built to Translink's specs.

I do see them appearing on E-W Vancouver routes (they can fit under trolley lines dont worry) only if the stopping pattern is changed to pick-up only in the peak direction, or if they choose to bring back 99 B-line non-stop express. Other than that, no appearances on localized FTN routes (41, 49, 319, 320, 502,130 etc. Etc.). Less stops as possible.

[ilikeredheads]

Bear in mind it's Translink's decision to use them on express routes. These doubledeckers are versatile and can be used on any route basically. It looks like Translink plans to increase the capacity of their express routes while replacing some of the aging the highway coaches at the same time. Also, they can free up articulated buses used on the 620 since doubledeckers provided better ride quality on the freeway.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by Zassk

Capstan Way station money will be fully collected next year; station will be built 6 years ahead of schedule

Originally Posted by Axe

http://www.richmond-news.com/news/city-moves-closer-to-capstan-station-1.23087805

Neighbouring development View Star, with Capstan Station to its right. Credit: ViewStar
http://urbanyvr.com/canada-line-richmond-capstan-new-station

[cganuelas1995]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Neighbouring development View Star, with Capstan Station to its right. Credit: ViewStar
http://urbanyvr.com/canada-line-richmond-capstan-new-station

I'd first like to see them build some crossovers on the Richmond branch. They exist on the YVR branch for some reason.

[officedweller]

Probably if they wanted to short-turn trains at Templeton for a free YVR-Templeton only shuttle.

[VancouverOfTheFuture]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Neighbouring development View Star, with Capstan Station to its right. Credit: ViewStar
http://urbanyvr.com/canada-line-richmond-capstan-new-station

crazy, 6 years ahead of schedule at the same time the City of Vancouver decides to not push for the 57th Ave station.

[TransitJack]

They definitely need to add some crossovers in the Richmond section.

Smart plan would be to build it into the cost of the station and related systems upgrade. That branch is super busy and not having the flexibility to cross trains over in the event of blockage or medical issue can really backlog things.

[cganuelas1995]

Originally Posted by TransitJack

They definitely need to add some crossovers in the Richmond section.

Smart plan would be to build it into the cost of the station and related systems upgrade. That branch is super busy and not having the flexibility to cross trains over in the event of blockage or medical issue can really backlog things.

Or even in the event of maintenance.

I also highly doubt that they will need to do a shuttle between Templeton and YVR. There is literally hardly anything at Templeton (aside from that mall) and Sea Island Centre station that justifies a station. Not even a bus.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by cganuelas1995

Or even in the event of maintenance.

I also highly doubt that they will need to do a shuttle between Templeton and YVR. There is literally hardly anything at Templeton (aside from that mall) and Sea Island Centre station that justifies a station. Not even a bus.

Part of YVR's financing of the Sea Island stations and guideway provided for the free service on Sea Island.
My guess is that YVR insisted on it - like the up and down escalators on the Sea Island branch.

So presumably, they designed the system so that if there was ever any operational issue, the switches would allow them to run the shuttle even if other parts of the system, say Bridgeport Station, was out of service.

That flexibility would allow travellers and employees to get from the terminal to the long term parking lots - i.e. as an intra-airport peoplemover

[Sheba]

I just had to share this...

For residents of our nation’s capital, news of a fire on the city’s rapid transit system—the Washington Metro—is not surprising. It catches fire and smokes quite regularly. At some points last year, there were reports of more than four fires per week (although there’s some dispute about that rate). There’s even the handy site—IsMetroOnFire.com—to check the current blaze status.

Yet, despite the common occurrence, residents may be surprised to learn a potential contributor to the system-wide sizzling: their own hair.

According to a safety specialist with the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), a thick, felt-like layer of human hair, skin, and other debris has collected on the aging tracks of the city’s rails. In particular, hair has built up on insulators supporting the transit system’s electrified third rails, which run cables carrying 750 Volts of electricity to power the trains. The hair coating delivers a real threat of electrical sparks and fire.

“I was flabbergasted” at the amount of hair in the Metro, ATU specialist Brian Sherlock told a local NBC news station. “The amount of debris is just beyond vulgar to think of.”

...

[flipper316]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Part of YVR's financing of the Sea Island stations and guideway provided for the free service on Sea Island.
My guess is that YVR insisted on it - like the up and down escalators on the Sea Island branch.

So presumably, they designed the system so that if there was ever any operational issue, the switches would allow them to run the shuttle even if other parts of the system, say Bridgeport Station, was out of service.

That flexibility would allow travellers and employees to get from the terminal to the long term parking lots - i.e. as an intra-airport peoplemover

that's actually a good idea.

[Migrant_Coconut]

Originally Posted by VancouverOfTheFuture

crazy, 6 years ahead of schedule at the same time the City of Vancouver decides to not push for the 57th Ave station.

Richmond, remember? Plenty of rich developers, and they all understand the value of rapid transit.