Metro Vancouver Transit Discussion

[Colin4567]

Originally Posted by Reecemartin

Would anyone be willing to help make a similar video for Vancouver?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFdjZF-E-lU

HA! My friend and I did something like that last summer. We went from Lafarge Lake-Douglas to VCC-Clark, took the 84 to Olympic Village station, then went down to the end of Richmond, went on the Sea Island portion of it, back up to Waterfront, to King George, and then back to Lafarge Lake-Douglas via Lougheed. Good times.

[GlassCity]

Originally Posted by Colin4567

HA! My friend and I did something like that last summer. We went from Lafarge Lake-Douglas to VCC-Clark, took the 84 to Olympic Village station, then went down to the end of Richmond, went on the Sea Island portion of it, back up to Waterfront, to King George, and then back to Lafarge Lake-Douglas via Lougheed. Good times.

Haha I wish I had nerdy friends like yours! I have to do my day-long transit excursions all by myself

[cganuelas1995]

Just a random question, would help if all of you answered this:

How often do you find yourself getting off the SkyTrain and watching the bus you're transferring to leave it's bay?

Because this literally happened to me not too long ago on the 401, and I did the "dude, wtf?" gesture to the driver, who saw me at the crosswalk to the bus bay, and he pointed to the next bus bay.

[Mac Write]

Sure I am up for the video. I am going to start a new daily video blog anyways so this would make for great content.

[Colin4567]

Originally Posted by cganuelas1995

Just a random question, would help if all of you answered this:

How often do you find yourself getting off the SkyTrain and watching the bus you're transferring to leave it's bay?

Because this literally happened to me not too long ago on the 401, and I did the "dude, wtf?" gesture to the driver, who saw me at the crosswalk to the bus bay, and he pointed to the next bus bay.

Very often. The 143 Burquitlam/SFU often departs for SFU as the SkyTrain pulls in right above it. It would be an extra 30 seconds of waiting for the bus driver and often the bus spacing is every 15 mins so it's not too pleasant (but many other places have worse frequency).

[cganuelas1995]

Originally Posted by Colin4567

Very often. The 143 Burquitlam/SFU often departs for SFU as the SkyTrain pulls in right above it. It would be an extra 30 seconds of waiting for the bus driver and often the bus spacing is every 15 mins so it's not too pleasant (but many other places have worse frequency).

I put in feedback to translink about this issue and if they could adjust the schedule so they sync up better, considering the fact that the bus bay for the 404 is literally a 3 minute walk from the station entrance, and the response I got was from CMBC, which reads:

"Thank you for your customer report regarding the connection issue at the station. We do monitor the service but the train is a frequent service and the 404 is a 30 minute service so it makes it impossible to meet every train. I know this is not the answer you were after. We monitor this four times a year and I will ask our analyst department to have another look at this issue again."

[Colin4567]

Originally Posted by cganuelas1995

I put in feedback to translink about this issue and if they could adjust the schedule so they sync up better, considering the fact that the bus bay for the 404 is literally a 3 minute walk from the station entrance, and the response I got was from CMBC, which reads:

"Thank you for your customer report regarding the connection issue at the station. We do monitor the service but the train is a frequent service and the 404 is a 30 minute service so it makes it impossible to meet every train. I know this is not the answer you were after. We monitor this four times a year and I will ask our analyst department to have another look at this issue again."

See I get it but my point is they USED to do this. If I got off the train at 12:49 it was very likely I'd get the 12:50 bus. Not anymore though. .

[Reecemartin]

Something like what they have in Toronto would be nice in station lobbys https://s3-media1.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/gyp9DcjEdFN8w8CcAbSOAw/ls.jpg, especially nice when weather is bad.

[Colin4567]

Originally Posted by Reecemartin

Something like what they have in Toronto would be nice in station lobbys https://s3-media1.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/gyp9DcjEdFN8w8CcAbSOAw/ls.jpg, especially nice when weather is bad.

I think the reason why Toronto can do that is because (most) stations are fully enclosed stations and thus it can be substantially warmer inside than outside. In Vancouver though with open air stations the wind can still whip through them, especially the station lobbies so it's still pretty cold. The SkyTrain station and bus loop at Production Way are basically wind tunnels.

[Reecemartin]

Originally Posted by Colin4567

I think the reason why Toronto can do that is because (most) stations are fully enclosed stations and thus it can be substantially warmer inside than outside. In Vancouver though with open air stations the wind can still whip through them, especially the station lobbies so it's still pretty cold. The SkyTrain station and bus loop at Production Way are basically wind tunnels.

Not at all the case, when I was touring all the stations a few days ago I made note that many (especially one of the several that is directly outdoors) are bitterly cold (and also quite windy), they still have these screens.

Its also worth noting that there are plenty of weatherproof screens available.

[Sheba]

Originally Posted by Colin4567

In Vancouver though with open air stations the wind can still whip through them, especially the station lobbies so it's still pretty cold. The SkyTrain station and bus loop at Production Way are basically wind tunnels.

It would be less bad if they'd replace the mesh panels with glass on the Expo Line. Those stations are winds tunnels no matter where you stand.

[Colin4567]

Originally Posted by Sheba

It would be less bad if they'd replace the mesh panels with glass on the Expo Line. Those stations are winds tunnels no matter where you stand.

That would help from two directions but even the Milennium Line can be a wind tunnel tbh

[Trainguy]

Globe and Mail Article:

6 January 2018
Lower Mainland Public Transit's Moment to Shine Clouded by Parochial Interests

Vancouver British Columbia - Ultimately, it may not much matter whether people love or hate Derek Corrigan and his election as head of the mayors' transit council for the Lower Mainland.

The Burnaby mayor is well known as a contrarian and not a team player.

Those who mistrust him fear he will try to use his new position and clout with the NDP government in Victoria to scuttle TransLink's ambitious growth plans.

Two major rail projects are currently on the table, backed by a $2.5 billion federal infrastructure pledge, Surrey's light-rail project and Vancouver's Broadway rapid transit extension toward UBC.

Both have merit, although it's easy to argue a third project, the replacement of the Pattullo Bridge, which engineers say is so decrepit it could crumble in a major windstorm let alone an earthquake, should top the list.

Mr. Corrigan, whose own city's transit needs are nicely served by two rapid transit lines, is on record as saying it's not possible to proceed with all three projects simultaneously.

And, he has already expressed antipathy toward Vancouver's and Surrey's aspirations by being the only mayor to vote against TransLink's 10 year transportation plan, which supports both rail projects and the Pattullo replacement.

But no one mayor, or even the mayors' council as a whole, is powerful enough to set the transit agenda.

The provincial government calls the shots on major transportation expenditures, frequently overriding the council and TransLink board, for political gain.

The Millennium Line, which serves NDP-friendly Burnaby and New Westminster, was former NDP premier Glen Clark's pet project.

The Canada Line and Port Mann Bridge were pushed to the fore by then-premier Gordon Campbell and were popular in the Liberal stronghold of Richmond and ridings south of the Fraser.

Most recently, former premier Christy Clark announced a new bridge to replace the aging Massey Tunnel, a provincially owned crossing.

Each announcement pushed the Pattullo replacement to the back of the bus, forcing TransLink to throw money away on repairs to keep it driveable.

Once elected, the new John Horgan government quickly reversed course on the Massey project, making clear that it, too, is committed to directly steering the transportation agenda.

The 23 member mayors' council never fully controlled large infrastructure projects.

What power regional politicians had was largely stripped in 2007, when the Campbell government shifted control of TransLink to an unelected board.

As head of the mayors' council, Mr. Corrigan will have a seat at that board table.

But there are 11 other members who have worked long and hard on all three projects to keep him in check.

TransLink's board is raring to move forward with the 10 year plan, but first needs provincial approval.

Mr. Corrigan told Globe and Mail contributor Frances Bula one of his first moves will be to suggest the provincial government manage one or more of the big projects.

That in itself would not be new.

What is different is having a regional politician at the helm who instead of pushing rapid transit projects forward seems bent on slowing them down.

Just how much influence Mr. Corrigan has in Victoria is debatable.

His wife, Kathy Corrigan, was an NDP MLA until 2017, when she opted not to run again.

Both are aligned with organized labour, but labour supported the yes side in the failed 2015 regional referendum to approve funding for the 10 year transit plan.

Mr. Corrigan has also burned some political capital on the left of the NDP with his intransigence on affordable housing issues.

At this point, Mr. Corrigan appears dismissive of the transit needs of those living beyond Burnaby's borders, as evidenced by his lone-wolf stand on the 10 year plan.

It is good stewardship to question public expenditures and no one will fault Mr. Corrigan if he uses his considerable experience to that end.

But one politician's parochial approach to regional issues should not lead us to squander opportunity.

The governing agreement between the NDP and Greens calls for immediate improvements to transit infrastructure.

What a waste it would be if the province did not aim high while the federal money is available.

Major cities in China and metropolises including Los Angeles and London are making massive investments in rapid transit.

Here at home, continuing suburban population growth, increasing traffic congestion, and the looming threat of climate change demands we do likewise.

Adrienne Tanner.

[aberdeen5698]

Originally Posted by Colin4567

See I get it but my point is they USED to do this. If I got off the train at 12:49 it was very likely I'd get the 12:50 bus. Not anymore though. .

Well then you need to catch the preceding train. They can't synch every train with every bus.

[Sheba]

Originally Posted by Trainguy

But no one mayor, or even the mayors' council as a whole, is powerful enough to set the transit agenda.

The provincial government calls the shots on major transportation expenditures, frequently overriding the council and TransLink board, for political gain.

The Millennium Line, which serves NDP-friendly Burnaby and New Westminster, was former NDP premier Glen Clark's pet project.

The Canada Line and Port Mann Bridge were pushed to the fore by then-premier Gordon Campbell and were popular in the Liberal stronghold of Richmond and ridings south of the Fraser.

Most recently, former premier Christy Clark announced a new bridge to replace the aging Massey Tunnel, a provincially owned crossing.

Each announcement pushed the Pattullo replacement to the back of the bus, forcing TransLink to throw money away on repairs to keep it driveable.

Once elected, the new John Horgan government quickly reversed course on the Massey project, making clear that it, too, is committed to directly steering the transportation agenda.

The 23 member mayors' council never fully controlled large infrastructure projects.

What power regional politicians had was largely stripped in 2007, when the Campbell government shifted control of TransLink to an unelected board.

As head of the mayors' council, Mr. Corrigan will have a seat at that board table.

But there are 11 other members who have worked long and hard on all three projects to keep him in check.

This is what all the people running around yelling 'the sky is falling!' seem to keep missing - the head of the Mayors Council is not a king who calls all the shots.

[cganuelas1995]

Originally Posted by aberdeen5698

Well then you need to catch the preceding train. They can't synch every train with every bus.

I know that but they could at least try to have better communication between SkyTrain and busses to probably convey information to a bus driver about the ETA of a train's arrival to a station or how long a train is gonna be in the station for if it's a terminus station.

[ilikeredheads]

Originally Posted by cganuelas1995

I know that but they could at least try to have better communication between SkyTrain and busses to probably convey information to a bus driver about the ETA of a train's arrival to a station or how long a train is gonna be in the station for if it's a terminus station.

drivers aren't obligated to wait because they have their own schedules to follow, especially when they are behind already. Yes, some drivers do wait when they see a stream of people coming down but that's more of a goodwill gesture and it shouldn't be taken for granted.

[aberdeen5698]

Originally Posted by ilikeredheads

Yes, some drivers do wait when they see a stream of people coming down but that's more of a goodwill gesture and it shouldn't be taken for granted.

Exactly. A driver who waits is a good Samaritan, the ones who pull out on schedule are just doing their job.

[nname]

Originally Posted by aberdeen5698

Exactly. A driver who waits is a good Samaritan, the ones who pull out on schedule are just doing their job.

He maybe a good Samaritan to the person who was late catching the bus, but on the other hand, he may be a devil to the passengers who are on time and need to make a second bus-to-bus transfer. That extra minute of wait may cause them to miss their transfer, which is much worse than the skytrain-to-bus transfer (in many cases, the second bus is once every 30min to 1hr). This is quite often the case for the 169/190 before Evergreen opened. Most driver will leave immediately after the "beep", even if they see people running toward the bus. Is it fair to penalize people who are on time for the people who are running late?

I remember once I took the 190 from Downtown and someone get on it and expect it to run like an 135. When he wants to get off somewhere on Hastings, the driver just said "sorry, I cannot let you off here. If I do, then someone on the bus will miss their transfer. You'll have to take this bus to Port Moody."

[aberdeen5698]

Originally Posted by nname

He maybe a good Samaritan to the person who was late catching the bus, but on the other hand, he may be a devil to the passengers who are on time and need to make a second bus-to-bus transfer.

Sure, it sucks to miss the bus - I totally understand because I've been there more times than I'd like. But the simple fact is that when trains come every few minutes (and even more frequently when you consider that they're coming from both directions) there are always going to be people who just miss the bus. It's just a fact of life. Whining and complaining isn't going to change that.