Metro Vancouver Transit Discussion

[Dengler Avenue]

That I know. Vancouver East though... Even today I’m still surprised that buses come every 30 minutes on Sundays.

[Dengler Avenue]

https://new.translink.ca/schedules-and-maps/service-changes
Service changes are out. Of notes,
(1) R2’s finally being rolled out;
(2) 240’s extended to Lynn Valley Centre (Woah!);
(3) 255’s route’s substantially changed (Woah!);
(4) Trips from Phibbs Exchange to Capilano University is made exclusively by the new 245;
(5) 319’s getting more and more frequent - maybe LRT down Scott Road then 72 Avenue is warranted after all.

Stay safe for now, everyone!

[jollyburger]

I wonder when they'll start cutting back service frequency.

[Mac Write]

Or worse, stop service all together.

If the Expo line went to shorter trains (2 cars), with max frequency, would they help reduce the contact with others? Maybe even have load unload sections in the station ( 2 2-car Mark 1's. first stops at the beginning of station to unload and then moves up to load at the other end of the station.

Just thinking pie in the sky as elevator usage wouldn't be helped by this.

Or gates alternating odd-even to space people out, with a slower let through to keep a 2 meter distance.

Run all trains with insane frequency and limited people per train car.

crazy thinking.

[Tvisforme]

Originally Posted by Dengler Avenue

(1) R2’s finally being rolled out

April 6, 2020: After some delay, the North Shore's new RapidBus service finally launches.

April 7, 2020: Due to low ridership, the North Shore's RapidBus service is cancelled and replaced with a community shuttle.

[DKaz]

Let's just shut the whole country down for at least 3 weeks. This is getting ridiculous.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by DKaz

Let's just shut the whole country down for at least 3 weeks. This is getting ridiculous.

Yep, we should follow San Fran's example. I think they are doing 3 weeks. But we should do 2 and see how things go.

Instead it seems like we're going to nickel and dime ourselves through this for the next 4 months.

[jollyburger]

Bus system is free, rear door bus boarding and restrictions on sitting near bus drivers and SeaBus crew.

System-wide TransLink boarding figures were down 52 per cent on Tuesday (684,000 total) compared to the same day a year ago. Boardings for the entire system were also down 38 per cent on Monday (843,000) compared to the same day in 2019.

Total boardings last Thursday, March 12, were 1,312,000, a seven per cent drop from a year ago.

https://www.citynews1130.com/2020/03/19/...r-boarding-to-combat-spread-of-covid-19/

[Tvisforme]

COVID-19: Public transit takes a hit as British Columbians keep their social distance
Jennifer Saltman

TransLink is making significant changes to how it operates transit in Metro Vancouver, including instituting rear-door boarding and forgoing fares on buses, to promote social distancing and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The moves come in the face of a precipitous drop in ridership over the past week, as a result of the choice by many of the region’s residents to work from home and forgo unnecessary outings.
.
.
.

https://vancouversun.com/health/covid-19...h-columbians-keep-their-social-distance/

[Kisai]

Originally Posted by Tvisforme

https://vancouversun.com/health/covid-19...h-columbians-keep-their-social-distance/

I've been on the Skytrain all week and I've never seen less than 3 people per car, and at most were 6 (today which was closer to 5pm.)

I will say though, tuesday had lots of people coughing on the skytrain, including a woman on the platform at production way who was coughing without covering her mouth at all every minute.

When on the platform I've been keeping my distance, unfortunately (like the woman described above) that doesn't help if people get near you before they cough.

Thursday (eg today) , nobody was coughing, but people aren't keeping their distance on the train. Tuesday I actually felt someone cough against the back of my hair, Wednesday there were coughs all over the train car.

If you're taking transit right now. Keep your face covered if possible (eg do up your coat's highest buttons/zipper, or wear a scarf,) and keep your hands in your pockets, don't touch surfaces with your hands. The idea here is to avoid coming in contact with anything/anyone. Don't sit near anyone. Don't stand on the train.

Really, if it wasn't for the fact that what I was doing was effectively getting more people to stay home by getting people devices to take home, I'd have not risked going at all.

[Tetsuo]

You'd think Translink might keep the faregates wide open (contact surface area)

[Tetsuo]

^^^^

East Asian countries see near universal wearing of masks.

Makes transit a lot less risky !

[flipper316]

Originally Posted by Tetsuo

You'd think Translink might keep the faregates wide open (contact surface area)

Why? You do realize you don't have to touch the blue tap pad with your card/ticket.

[Tetsuo]

Originally Posted by flipper316

Why? You do realize you don't have to touch the blue tap pad with your card/ticket.

I do (RFID)

80% of transit users don't

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by flipper316

Why? You do realize you don't have to touch the blue tap pad with your card/ticket.

You don't have to touch the back doors with the bottom facing sensors but everyone feels the need to smash the door.. what are you going to do?

[jollyburger]

West Van Blue Bus cut back service on a few routes but it was back to full service Friday except for the UBC bus.

West Vancouver’s Blue Bus service is becoming less frequent as the COVID-19 virus has hurt staffing levels.

District of West Vancouver spokeswoman Donna Powers said the municipality is shifting resources around to keep the most critical routes running on time while drivers have gone into quarantine, either because they have recently returned from travelling or because they are sick.

As of this week, the 251 Park Royal/Queens and the 252 Park Royal/Inglewood routes will operate hourly-only, and the 258 UBC route has been cancelled while classes are out.

Powers said people who must travel by Blue Bus should check the schedule at westvancouver.ca, as more changes are likely coming.

While less frequent service could lead to more crowding, Powers said ridership is also dropping.

https://www.nsnews.com/news/west-vancouver-blue-bus-service-scaled-back-1.24101973

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by Kisai

I've been on the Skytrain all week and I've never seen less than 3 people per car, and at most were 6 (today which was closer to 5pm.)

Pics of empty SkyTrains here:

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-transit-translink-skytrain-social-distancing-coronavirus

[Xrayal]

Interesting tidbits I found:

Battery-electric Bus Pilot

• Battery-electric buses continue to operate on Route 100 (22nd Street/Marpole Loop) for rush- hour service and will slowly transition to all-day service.
• Third-party data logging applications were installed on the buses in December 2019 ahead of the launch of CUTRIC’s Data and Evaluation Monitoring Program in January 2020.
• Due to heavy rains throughout the month of December 2019, the vehicles experienced water leakage and circuit board issues that had to be addressed with the manufacturer.
• CMBC is also working to address Transit Operator issues to improve successful charging events.

Double-decker Buses

-The option for 25 additional double-decker buses has been exercised with Alexander Dennis and the buses are scheduled to begin to arrive in December 2020. The full order is expected to be complete by February 2021. The first buses should enter service in January 2021.

-The upgrade of Hamilton Transit Centre to allow for repairs after Motor Vehicle Accidents (MVA) and major maintenance of the double decker bus fleet.

Seabus

-Final modifications will be made to the new SeaBus, the Burrard Chinook, which includes improving alignment with the terminals. She is expected to be ready for service in summer 2020.

Skytrain

-Install nine additional fare gates at four priority stations (Waterfront, Richmond- Brighouse, Surrey Central, and King George) to meet adequate level of service thresholds for existing peak demands.

-Purchase of 10 Compass Vending Machines to establish a spare inventory to mitigate the risk of flood, fire and vandalism events.

Westcoast Express

-Procure train cars for expanding service on the West Coast Express rail network.

-Variance is due to unavailability of locomotives to purchase in the market which in turn caused delays in the RFP procurement process and project schedule. Cash flows shifted to 2020.

Link to March 26 Open Board meeting pdf

[officedweller]

Great finds, thanks!

[Orcair]

Originally Posted by Xrayal

Interesting tidbits I found:

Link to March 26 Open Board meeting pdf

Also mentions the purchase of 3 60ft buses for the Broadway Subway project... backup capacity due to trolley/construction changes maybe?