Metro Vancouver Transit Discussion

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by aberdeen5698

I was a naysayer, but if the stats collected since the faregates went into operation are to be believed then the fare evasion problem was larger than I (or many other people) imagined.

I always thought the fare evasion numbers were too low, but it was just anecdotal from my own experience so who knows.

There is some real value in Compass being able to shape future demand, and it opens up more flexibility for distance based pricing, etc.

Whether that all equals out to a positive ROI would require some pretty detailed analysis.

[invisibleairwaves]

Originally Posted by flipper316

https://globalnews.ca/video/3983634/translink-disabled-fare-gate-solution

9 million? What happened to them building brand new glass gates that were supposedly gonna cost 2.5-5 million? Where are all the naysayers and whiners now that were against compass and faregates?

I mean, most people weren't really up in arms about the faregates or cards, it was Translink's brutal mismanagement of the rollout that made headlines for the most part. Now that it's here and the bugs have mostly been worked out it's a decent system but the outrage over the cost and delays was totally valid at the time.

[aberdeen5698]

Originally Posted by Bdawe

In what sense?

The estimate I'd always heard was that fare evasion caused about a 4% hit to revenue - but the increase in revenue after the fare gates went in was over 10%. Some of that would have been to normal growth, but given how many fewer fare evasion tickets have been issued it seems like the bulk of it was due to former cheaters now paying.

It now looks like the faregates will pay for themselves with the increased revenue, something that was not at all sure when the project started.

[Sheba]

Originally Posted by aberdeen5698

The estimate I'd always heard was that fare evasion caused about a 4% hit to revenue - but the increase in revenue after the fare gates went in was over 10%. Some of that would have been to normal growth, but given how many fewer fare evasion tickets have been issued it seems like the bulk of it was due to former cheaters now paying.

It now looks like the faregates will pay for themselves with the increased revenue, something that was not at all sure when the project started.

It's not just people not buying a ticket (which still happens - the wider disability gates seem to be easier to push open) but also people only paying one zone and riding further - you can't get away with that on the Skytrain now.

[Waders]

After pilot project, TransLink to bring 32 double-decker buses to Metro Vancouver.

I wonder whether there is opportunity to use double decker bus in some routes within Vancouver?

[GlassCity]

Originally Posted by Waders

After pilot project, TransLink to bring 32 double-decker buses to Metro Vancouver.

I wonder whether there is opportunity to use double decker bus in some routes within Vancouver?

Probably not, they're too busy. The suburban highway routes are where they belong.

[Tetsuo]

Originally Posted by Express691

West Coast Express train E4 was involved in a police incident earlier this evening, causing significant delays. Can't say what happened as the details are very vague.

In any case, a small caption should be included (and is VERY helpful) when linking to news events.

Interesting, theres been quite a heavier transit police presence on the WCE these past few weeks,

[CanSpice]

Originally Posted by Express691

West Coast Express train E4 was involved in a police incident earlier this evening, causing significant delays. Can't say what happened as the details are very vague.

In any case, a small caption should be included (and is VERY helpful) when linking to news events.

From a co-worker who was on this train, he said they struck somebody. They weren't told this (obviously) but the train came to as sudden a stop a train that size can come. He saw a lot of emergency responder flashing lights in the distance wherever the nearest road was.

It sounded like a bit of a gong show in getting everybody off too. They brought up Train 5 alongside and had bridges going between the trains to get people off 4 and onto 5. The transfer process took about an hour, and the people that were left behind on 4 weren't told anything when train 5 departed until after it had been gone for a while.

[SpongeG]

I've caught the bus a few times between city hall and broadway/commercial. Some people don't tap in when getting on and most don't seem to tap when getting off. Are you supposed to tap when you get off? i don't tap since that's what everyone else seems to be doing.

[LeftCoaster]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

I've caught the bus a few times between city hall and broadway/commercial. Some people don't tap in when getting on and most don't seem to tap when getting off. Are you supposed to tap when you get off? i don't tap since that's what everyone else seems to be doing.

No need to tap when disembarking. It's a single fare system for that exact reason.

I hope one day when people are more familiar with the compass system they introduce distance based pricing on buses and a tap off but not overloading the users with all that on day one was the right call.

[Reecemartin]

Something I noticed in the TTC's new corporate plan that I wish Metro Vancouver would emulate... Digital displays in more places

We will be making increased use of digital displays to share information, from service status updates to next vehicle arrival times. These include digital displays along subway platforms, in bus and streetcar bays, and at station entrances above fare-gates. We will also be piloting the use of displays in buses and streetcars. In addition, we will be piloting new self-serve touchscreens near station entrances, with trip planning tools, local points of interest and other community information.

If you are curious what these look like look no further than the Viva BRT just North of Toronto....

[xd_1771]

Originally Posted by Reecemartin

If you are curious what these look like look no further than the Viva BRT just North of Toronto....

Those look exactly like the next stop displays in buses in most Japanese cities. Kyoto in particular comes to mind. These would be great for our B-Line buses as a start.

[trofirhen]

^^^Busses in Paris have something very similar to these, too.

[officedweller]

Cool Interurban map:

http://maps.nicholsonroad.com/bcer/

Interesting where the former Burnaby Lake Line was routed.

[Mac Write]

Don't get me started on the scam to remove streetcars (General Moters) <is on fire>

[officedweller]

Aside from that..

I was surprised that the Burnaby Lake Line went down 1st Ave. and also down the Trans-Canada Highway RoW and cutting across Gilmore.

and the routing from Commercial to 1st Ave:


http://maps.nicholsonroad.com/bcer/

[VancouverOfTheFuture]

Originally Posted by officedweller

I was surprised that the Burnaby Lake Line went down 1st Ave.

other then Cambie, the only reason for medians on most streets is because of old railway RoW. if it weren't for that, most of those streets wouldn't have nice, treed lines medians.

[Sheba]

TransLink Listens sent out an e-mail today about animals on transit. I don't know if it was through that or an open questionnaire on their site but I remember answering similar questions already.

[Dave2]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Aside from that..

I was surprised that the Burnaby Lake Line went down 1st Ave. and also down the Trans-Canada Highway RoW and cutting across Gilmore.

and the routing from Commercial to 1st Ave:

You've never seen this video? You're in for a treat.

https://youtu.be/9MW99sSLOBU

[officedweller]

Nice, thanks!