Transit Fantasies

[fredinno]

Originally Posted by scryer

Hey Guys,

So I went through the pages of LRT (specifically the Arbutus line) discussion. I just want to be clear on my understanding of the Arbutus + downtown line speculations:

- There's no way to make the LRT grade separated for major sections along the Arbutus greenway so it has to cross traffic (not a big deal IMO).

There is a way to get LRT grade separated. Make it Skytrain.

I'm not seeing any kind of world where Port Coq or White Rock takes political priority; Vancouver, Burnaby and both North Van munis have a stake in building a Hastings Line, DTES or not.

This is what I mean by the fact the suburbs would likely be higher priority mostly for Skytrain than the City, excepting capacity.

Originally Posted by waves

I think what bothers me here about a "relief line" or "downtown streetcars" or "skytrain to the west end" is that the SkyTrain lines (incl. Canada Line) in Metro Vancouver are set up as the inter-regional backbone to our public transportation network. They are the "highways" of our public transit system, yet still, parts of are region are not connected with one. If a "relief" line comes in before Skytrain extends to Lonsdale I will be very annoyed. It'd be akin to deciding that False Creek needs a fourth bridge before the North Shore gets a third crossing.

Also, I really don't think people are going to be happy about that line of logic. "Hey, we know we can afford to connect you guys directly with Skytrain, but we're just going to build a Hastings+West End Subway first, instead. Don't worry, it'll improve bus service in your region (NS) too!"
Let's face it. That's not going to appease them. At all.

Also: the History of Skytrain, if we assumed the Canada Line was built when it was originally intended to (ie. no Olympics):
1. Expo Line
2. Expo Line Extn. to Surrey (Suburban)
[Cancelled] Expo Line Extn. to Coquitlam/Lougheed (Suburban)

3. Millennium Line Ph 1 (Suburban)
4. Millennium Line Ph 2- Coquitlam (Suburban)
4. Millennium Line Ph 2- Broadway (Urban)
5. Canada Line (Urban-Suburban)

6. Langley Skytrain Extension (Suburban)
6. SNG Line? (Suburban)

The Suburban lines are the ones that went first once the new transit plans were drafted (each paragraph space). One of the Urban ones were built because TransLink literally had to. The other went to an airport. Even then, it was the last on the list until the Olympics screwed everything up.

Is the historical priority of TransLink to get suburban lines built first bad overall? Maybe. But I'm projecting that strategy out to the future.

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

And it's still less than half; "supportive" indicates at least 60+, like the 68% approval rating taken that same year. Of note is that TransLink's approval rating in '09 was even lower.
Yet many people still use Hastings in spite of that. They only need to drive through the DTES.

That's another option that was discussed. Either way, that part of the Greenway is too narrow for anything above ground - not without hogging the road as well.

The problem is really the businesses though, not so much drivers. So your point is moot.

Would TransLink take control of the project once it's built (Artubus and Streetcar?)