Metro Vancouver Transit Discussion

[Sheba]

41st Avenue B-Line update

They're having another info meeting at Collingwood Neighbourhood House (5288 Joyce St) this Thurs, May 9th, 9:30am - 12:30pm

[officedweller]

An extension of the Fraser Valley Express bus (BC Transit) is proposed to Lougheed Station:

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/fraser-valley-express-bus-route-lougheed-town-centre-station

[dpogue]

TransLink looking for a project manager for the procurement of additional SkyTrain vehicles: https://service.ariba.com/Discovery.aw/ad/viewRFX?id=6729458

Interesting note from the attached scope of work:

The current SkyTrain Fleet Procurement consists of the design, production and supply of approximately 205 vehicles to be commissioned by the year 2027 with options for an additional 30 vehicles by 2028.

[Express691]

TransLink's facebook reveals that the first NFI electric battery bus has arrived in the Cullen's Holding Yard in Langley. Daily Hive has done a follow up article.

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/translin...veInv99-0NiPxV8hSdRx0TiqO-U1d7bp-Undve3c

[dandor31]

Originally Posted by officedweller

An extension of the Fraser Valley Express bus (BC Transit) is proposed to Lougheed Station:

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/fraser-valley-express-bus-route-lougheed-town-centre-station

That is phenomenal! I can't believe it is making a profit! What public transit route can claim that?!

In the article: "Last year, the service’s revenues were about $787,000, and its income statement showed a total overall surplus of $262,355. As of December 31, 2018, the surplus amount is at $376,320."

[Mac Write]

I am very excited. I just hope they add buses with onboard wahroom and long haul seating.

[nname]

Originally Posted by dandor31

That is phenomenal! I can't believe it is making a profit! What public transit route can claim that?!

In the article: "Last year, the service’s revenues were about $787,000, and its income statement showed a total overall surplus of $262,355. As of December 31, 2018, the surplus amount is at $376,320."

If there is enough subsidy, every public transit route can make a profit.

According to old press release, the annual subsidy for the service is $1.35M. No newer figure can be found.

EDIT: Checked the 2019 FVRD budget, the subsidy for FVX at municipality level is $675,660 per year for both 2018 and 2019. Province-level (BC Transit) subsidy should match that amount, giving the total subsidy of at least $1.35M for last and current year.

[SpongeG]

I've seen the bus that goes to Langley a few times in recent months pulling out from Lougheed and it's always packed, I was quite surprised.

[Migrant_Coconut]

Originally Posted by nname

If there is enough subsidy, every public transit route can make a profit.

According to old press release, the annual subsidy for the service is $1.35M. No newer figure can be found.

EDIT: Checked the 2019 FVRD budget, the subsidy for FVX at municipality level is $675,660 per year for both 2018 and 2019. Province-level (BC Transit) subsidy should match that amount, giving the total subsidy of at least $1.35M for last and current year.

Sounds about right. Ridership three years ago was 6-7 riders an hour. No way half-hourly service would work if not for massive subsidies.

Originally Posted by SpongeG

I've seen the bus that goes to Langley a few times in recent months pulling out from Lougheed and it's always packed, I was quite surprised.

That, I believe, is the 555. The route in question is the 66.

[officedweller]

Interesting article:

Even Transit-Oriented Development Can't Stop The Ridership Drop
...

The reasons for ridership declines vary. Some maintain that relatively low fuel prices and easy, cheap car loans as continuing to fuel a vehicle-based economy. Other experts point to the advent of ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft. A 2018 study by researchers from the University of Kentucky found that for each year after a ride-share service is introduced to a city, train ridership declines 1.3% and bus ridership by 1.7%. Uber debuted in Atlanta in 2012.
,,,

https://www.bisnow.com/atlanta/news/mixe...?utm_source=CopyShare&utm_medium=Browser

[VancouverOfTheFuture]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Interesting article:



https://www.bisnow.com/atlanta/news/mixe...?utm_source=CopyShare&utm_medium=Browser

most studies show that ride-shares have a bigger impact on transit more than single car use. should be interesting to see what happens in Van assuming the GreeNDP follow through with their election promise from 2yrs ago.

[officedweller]

1 in 5 air travellers at Vancouver International Airport use Canada Line: report
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/canada-line-ridership-yvr-airport

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by VancouverOfTheFuture

most studies show that ride-shares have a bigger impact on transit more than single car use. should be interesting to see what happens in Van assuming the GreeNDP follow through with their election promise from 2yrs ago.

Depends on the rates. Mandatory minimum wages for drivers and other hoops that have to be jumped through to operate here means that either Uber/Lyft will be taking even bigger losses in this market, or prices will be higher.

If ride hailing exists as a profitable, or even breakeven business, transit will start to look a lot more attractive again from a price perspective.

[jbrizzy]

Originally Posted by Sheba

41st Avenue B-Line update

They're having another info meeting at Collingwood Neighbourhood House (5288 Joyce St) this Thurs, May 9th, 9:30am - 12:30pm

Good too see 41st Ave is getting an extra lane in each direction between Victoria and Maple for bus-only travel between 7am-7pm (remaining as parking off-peak).
Mix of bus lanes between Carnarvon and Crown, and additional parking restrictions between Victoria and Kingsway from 7am-7pm.
Plus the bus lanes we already heard about between Kingsway and Vanness.
They won't be going ahead with the proposed changes for the East and West Blvd intersection yet (more consultation), but hopefully bigger changes will come to the whole Kerrisdale section sooner rather than later.

(Handy graphic in this tweet -> https://twitter.com/Dale_Bracewell/status/1126638510230917126)

[fredinno]

Originally Posted by jbrizzy

Good too see 41st Ave is getting an extra lane in each direction between Victoria and Maple for bus-only travel between 7am-7pm (remaining as parking off-peak).
Mix of bus lanes between Carnarvon and Crown, and additional parking restrictions between Victoria and Kingsway from 7am-7pm.
Plus the bus lanes we already heard about between Kingsway and Vanness.
They won't be going ahead with the proposed changes for the East and West Blvd intersection yet (more consultation), but hopefully bigger changes will come to the whole Kerrisdale section sooner rather than later.

(Handy graphic in this tweet -> https://twitter.com/Dale_Bracewell/status/1126638510230917126)

Wait, so they are adding bus lanes, not just queue-jumpers on most of the route? It won't be killed by Point Grey NIMBYs?

[logan5]

Originally Posted by jbrizzy

Good too see 41st Ave is getting an extra lane in each direction between Victoria and Maple for bus-only travel between 7am-7pm (remaining as parking off-peak).
Mix of bus lanes between Carnarvon and Crown, and additional parking restrictions between Victoria and Kingsway from 7am-7pm.
Plus the bus lanes we already heard about between Kingsway and Vanness.
They won't be going ahead with the proposed changes for the East and West Blvd intersection yet (more consultation), but hopefully bigger changes will come to the whole Kerrisdale section sooner rather than later.

(Handy graphic in this tweet -> https://twitter.com/Dale_Bracewell/status/1126638510230917126)

As long as the stretch of 41st around Oakridge is being redeveloped, they should be planning for dedicated bus lanes in the median. Looking at the development so far, the new buildings aren't stepped back to provide for this. With the ongoing redevelopment of 41st, and the introduction of a B-Line route, you would ultimately want to provide an actual rapid transit service. It's quite likely we will see the redevelopment of most of the stretch of 41st from Joyce Station to UBC, so this would be a realistic long term goal.

[VancouverOfTheFuture]

Originally Posted by logan5

As long as the stretch of 41st around Oakridge is being redeveloped, they should be planning for dedicated bus lanes in the median. Looking at the development so far, the new buildings aren't stepped back to provide for this. With the ongoing redevelopment of 41st, and the introduction of a B-Line route, you would ultimately want to provide an actual rapid transit service. It's quite likely we will see the redevelopment of most of the stretch of 41st from Joyce Station to UBC, so this would be a realistic long term goal.

the ROW there is already wide enough for sidewalks and 8 lane of traffic. get rid of parking, as there shouldn't be any on arterial's at all anyways, and there is enough space for the lanes needed.

[Migrant_Coconut]

Originally Posted by fredinno

Wait, so they are adding bus lanes, not just queue-jumpers on most of the route? It won't be killed by Point Grey NIMBYs?

They're overhauling Arbutus & 41st to accommodate the B-Line. When even Kerrisdale is on board with the changes, then no, there's not much chance of anybody else getting in the way.

[Dengler Avenue]

I guess that means we can truncate 41 at Dunbar Loop whenever UBC’s out of session then. It’ll be like 9 ALMA. 49 can take over the portion of 41st Avenue from Dunbar Street westward. There, B-Line branding will be important. Otherwise, going east, people will see a 60’ articulated bus and go on it, just to find themselves in Metrotown instead of Joyce-Collingwood later.

[Migrant_Coconut]

That's the plan. As soon as the B-Line starts, the 41 will then terminate at Crown.