Metro Vancouver Transit Discussion

[jollyburger]

Status of the Phibbs Exchange upgrades:

This project has been transferred to the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI). MOTI experienced technical issues which delayed their implementation. TransLink remains responsible for providing transit-specific design criteria and standards and development of the transit-related infrastructure with its remaining budget of $6.0 million. The project is expected to initiate in 2020.

[dreambrother808]

Does anyone else think that corona portends the cancelation or delay of the Broadway subway? At some point, governments are going to have to slash budgets depending on how long and deep this goes.

[fredinno]

Originally Posted by dreambrother808

Does anyone else think that corona portends the cancelation or delay of the Broadway subway? At some point, governments are going to have to slash budgets depending on how long and deep this goes.

No, they reserved the cash. I'd only be worried if US/Canada goes into default/hyperinflation.

[Reecemartin]

[Deleted]

[bluefox]

Originally Posted by dreambrother808

Does anyone else think that corona portends the cancelation or delay of the Broadway subway? At some point, governments are going to have to slash budgets depending on how long and deep this goes.

Governments are currently able to borrow for 30 years at less than 1% interest. I'd argue if government was smart they should be investing MORE at this point, not making cuts.

Delay or cancellation would be incredibly short-sighted at this point; we have probably our best opportunity yet to run full-scale construction out to UBC rather than the two-phase plan currently in place.

[Migrant_Coconut]

Originally Posted by bluefox

Governments are currently able to borrow for 30 years at less than 1% interest. I'd argue if government was smart they should be investing MORE at this point, not making cuts.

That is, if there's money left over after healthcare and business spending. Otherwise the Opposition is going to crucify you for "fiddling while Rome Canada burns."

[flipper316]

Originally Posted by bluefox

Governments are currently able to borrow for 30 years at less than 1% interest. I'd argue if government was smart they should be investing MORE at this point, not making cuts.

Delay or cancellation would be incredibly short-sighted at this point; we have probably our best opportunity yet to run full-scale construction out to UBC rather than the two-phase plan currently in place.

Didn't stop the no-development party from axing the Massey bridge.

[p_xavier]

Originally Posted by Reecemartin

It's something I've thought about, but infrastructure means jobs so wouldn't it be more likely we see more projects going through? Especially ones like Langley that will have a ton of roadwork involved?

That's how QC managed to go through the last recession so well. Legault said that transit projects would be accelerated in delivery.

[Bdawe]

Originally Posted by flipper316

Didn't stop the no-development party from axing the Massey bridge.

I remain amazed at the people who look out at the clean air we have right now from people not driving and think it's something that sucks and needs to stop

[fredinno]

Originally Posted by Bdawe

I remain amazed at the people who look out at the clean air we have right now from people not driving and think it's something that sucks and needs to stop

[Sheba]

From The Buzzer Blog:

Fare collection suspended for HandyDART and other updates

Because fare payment on HandyDART can often require close interaction between operators and customers, TransLink is suspending fare collection on HandyDART until further notice.

* This step is being taken to protect operators and promote social distancing
* Regular fares still apply on SkyTrain, West Coast Express and SeaBus as payment doesn’t involve any person-to-person interaction.


Service reductions on West Coast Express

Commencing Thursday, West Coast Express will be cancelling the 5:55am departure from Mission and 4:20pm departure from Waterfront. This is due to West Coast Express ridership declining by around 80 per cent.


Service Reductions on Seabus, Bus, and SkyTrain

Given ridership has significantly decreased on transit over the past few weeks, TransLink is making minor service reductions to SeaBus, bus, and SkyTrain services.

* SeaBus will transition to sailings every 15-minutes during weekday rush hours, instead of every 10-minutes.
* Bus routes which have excess capacity, including those with empty buses, will have some frequencies reduced.
* Expo and Millennium Lines will see slight frequency reductions, with first and last train schedules remaining in place

TransLink is carefully monitoring passenger levels in order to balance lower ridership with the need to maintain social distancing. We will keep customers up to date using social media channels, TransLink customer information (604.953.3333) and our website.

[jollyburger]

You can contact Translink to get a pro-rated refund on your monthly pass depending on how many rides you took.

How easy would it be for Translink to automatically do this in their system and save their staff and customers the bother of reporting it on an individual basis.

[Migrant_Coconut]

The one silver lining to all this is that the TransLink website (among others) might end up much more user-friendly.

Originally Posted by Bdawe

I remain amazed at the people who look out at the clean air we have right now from people not driving and think it's something that sucks and needs to stop

If putting Delta on permanent lockdown was a better idea than the GMB, I'm guessing they'd have already done it.

[cganuelas1995]

Service Reductions on Seabus, Bus, and SkyTrain

Given ridership has significantly decreased on transit over the past few weeks, TransLink is making minor service reductions to SeaBus, bus, and SkyTrain services.

* SeaBus will transition to sailings every 15-minutes during weekday rush hours, instead of every 10-minutes.
* Bus routes which have excess capacity, including those with empty buses, will have some frequencies reduced.
* Expo and Millennium Lines will see slight frequency reductions, with first and last train schedules remaining in place

TransLink is carefully monitoring passenger levels in order to balance lower ridership with the need to maintain social distancing. We will keep customers up to date using social media channels, TransLink customer information (604.953.3333) and our website.

Does skytrain include canada line?

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by cganuelas1995

Does skytrain include canada line?

Well they specifically didn't mention Canada Line.

[Tvisforme]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

How easy would it be for Translink to automatically do this in their system and save their staff and customers the bother of reporting it on an individual basis.

Probably not very easy, or they would likely have considered it. They don't really do refunds on passes at all, IIRC.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by Tvisforme

Probably not very easy, or they would likely have considered it. They don't really do refunds on passes at all, IIRC.

It's probably very easy and they just want to make it hard as possible for people to redeem so cue the online form or waiting 1.5 hours on the phone.

[Express691]

Spotted 139-140 inside the OMC2 building while passing by the yard this afternoon.

https://www.translink.ca/-/media/Documen...20/march/200326_Board_Agenda_Package.pdf

Mentions refurbishment of 36 500-800 series mk1 cars in what I believe is the finance report, but I can't confirm if todays sighting is related to this.

Originally Posted by Orcair

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

Also weird is how this is a separate procurement, when we are already expecting 19 more artics to arrive sometime this year (see May 2019 Board meeting report). Right now, I assume that the 3 units cannot be added to this order to make it 22 for whatever reason.

[Orcair]

Originally Posted by Express691

Also weird is how this is a separate procurement, when we are already expecting 19 more artics to arrive sometime this year (see May 2019 Board meeting report). Right now, I assume that the 3 units cannot be added to this order to make it 22 for whatever reason.

Yea, that's what threw me... why is it completely separate? I guess we'll find out shortly!

[officedweller]

There would probably be a deadline for the exercise of options to add to an order. Sounds like the deadline has passed.