Metro Vancouver Transit Discussion

[Mac Write]

Actually everything was built as Sapertone and Braid opened in January 2002 while the rest of the line in August 2002.

[Express691]

I dont know who's paying attention but there are at least 4 mk1 pairs inside OMC2 (from what was seen inside the open garage doors)

143-144
145-146
A 1991 set
A 1985 set

[Express691]

https://www.translink.ca/-/media/transli...mayors_council_public_mtg_2021_04_29.pdf

Mayor's council minutes are already up for next week's meeting.

Low Carbon Fleet Strategy and Transport2050 are the main topics

Graph on page 51 suggests that Network B is a more favourable choice over Network A based on projected ridership, coverage, construction greenhouse gases, cost effectiveness among other factors.

[nname]

Originally Posted by Express691

https://www.translink.ca/-/media/transli...mayors_council_public_mtg_2021_04_29.pdf

Mayor's council minutes are already up for next week's meeting.

Low Carbon Fleet Strategy and Transport2050 are the main topics

Graph on page 51 suggests that Network B is a more favourable choice over Network A based on projected ridership, coverage, construction greenhouse gases, cost effectiveness among other factors.

While on page 44, the simulation shows that most of the extra corridors in network B does not warrant anything more than "frequent local bus". So where would the extra ridership come from if a rapid transit is built to serve on a corridor that projected to have less than 1000 pphpd?

I'd say only the corridor that's red or orange (> 2400pphpd) warrant any rail based rapid transit (SkyTrain or LRT) in the following order:
- All existing SkyTrain lines
- Broadway
- Fraser Highway
- Hastings
- North Shore (east of Lonsdale)
- 41st Ave
- PoCo Extension
- Willingdon
- Scott Road/Interurban (northern half)
- Lions Gate Bridge to Park Royal
- No. 3 Road extension
- Victoria (north of 41st)

The yellow lines is probably sufficient with BRT, RapidBus, B-Line, etc (1000-2400 pphpd), in no particular order:
- Marine (North Van)
- Lonsdale
- Hastings (east of Willingdon)
- Lougheed Highway to Maple Ridge (east of PoCo)
- Victoria/Knight to Richmond (south of 41st)
- Marine (Van/Burnaby)
- Steveston Highway
- King George to White Rock
- Scott Road/Interurban to Newton (southern half)
- 104th
- Trans-Canada Highway (Lougheed to Carvolth)
- 200th (Langley to Carvolth)

After all, the 99 B-Line carries about 3200 pphpd at peak hours if I remember correctly. Notice the vast majority of the corridor listed above are already served in Network A, with the exception of No. 3 Road and Steveston Highway.

All other corridor have projected ridership of less than 1000pphpd for the entire length, some are far less. I don't think the riders would just mysteriously come if they just throw a train at those corridors.

[Migrant_Coconut]

In fairness, transit should be about shaping demand as well as reacting to it. Marine Drive (Vancouver), Richmond-Metrotown or Lougheed-Maple Ridge might turn orange once we add more trains and RapidBuses.

That said, Network B's numbers also seem to be counting on massive amounts of TOD which 1) may not come, or 2) may come with Network A regardless.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by nname

While on page 44, the simulation shows that most of the extra corridors in network B does not warrant anything more than "frequent local bus". So where would the extra ridership come from if a rapid transit is built to serve on a corridor that projected to have less than 1000 pphpd?

But as mentioned, I think these forecasts need to incorporate the long term planning goals if that means densification like all those other Expo/Millennium stations. That's where the extra ridership comes from.

[nname]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

That said, Network B's numbers also seem to be counting on massive amounts of TOD which 1) may not come, or 2) may come with Network A regardless.

I think for Network A, it's counting on higher density nodes near Town/City centres and at major corridors (more centralized), while Network B is counting on medium density scattered throughout many secondary corridors and less about development of Town/City centres (more spread out). Otherwise many of the corridors in B doesn't even support all day frequent bus service, let alone rapid transit.

[Migrant_Coconut]

Originally Posted by nname

I think for Network A, it's counting on higher density nodes near Town/City centres and at major corridors (more centralized), while Network B is counting on medium density scattered throughout many secondary corridors and less about development of Town/City centres (more spread out). Otherwise many of the corridors in B doesn't even support all day frequent bus service, let alone rapid transit.

(for reference)

You're probably right. But that raises more questions than answers, for example:
- What makes 208th or King Ed 'secondary' over Arbutus or 49th?
- Exactly how much does TL expect to densify Maple Ridge that they'd need segregated lanes?
- Do they really expect developers to build townhouses in... one second... Fern Ridge over Whalley or Newton?

If I were more cynical, I'd think TL is just playing politics with the suburban mayors so they don't feel left out, while knowing most of the metro will vote for Network A. There's no reason why A's SkyTrains and B's buses (in mixed traffic or shoulder lanes) can't be done at the same time with the same money.

[Express691]

The next Compass product are mini skytrain keychains.

The info can be found on the bids page on page 2 - it's a notice of intent that was posted on April 22

[teriyaki]

Originally Posted by Express691

The next Compass product are mini skytrain keychains.

The info can be found on the bids page on page 2 - it's a notice of intent that was posted on April 22

How were the last set of specials sold. Hopefully not at the Translink office in person only?

[Mac Write]

All I want is Compass on my Watch and iPhone. And with HandyDart requiring a second compass card for C.N.I.B. card holders, it just makes things more complicated! The C.N.I.B. card can store a balance.

[jollyburger]

Just noticed this one the Cubic website

SAN DIEGO – April 21, 2021 – Cubic Corporation (NYSE:CUB) today announced its Cubic Transportation Systems business division is expanding the current Compass automated fare collection (AFC) system to Metro Vancouver’s 347 vehicle paratransit system, HandyDART. As of March 2021, three buses have received installations. HandyDART is a shared ride service for passengers with physical or cognitive disabilities who are unable to use conventional public transit without assistance. Cubic will provide equipment to extend existing forms of payment enjoyed by travelers on the conventional system to HandyDART customers. The expansion will enable electronic validation of Compass card product and include ‘Tap to Pay’ options such as contactless credit cards and mobile phone payments.

“We are honored to expand our partnership with TransLink to broaden the reach of the highly successful Compass fare collection system to the region’s paratransit fleet of vehicles,” said Jeff Lowinger, president of Cubic Transportation Systems. “By expanding to new operators in Vancouver, we are bringing our NextCity™ vision to life by providing a more integrated customer experience and improving operations and analytics for TransLink.”

The project will provide greater convenience and improved accessibility for travelers by offering contactless ways to pay for journeys, while improving safety and security for paratransit riders and operators through reduced cash handling. Additionally, paratransit riders will have one less barrier to TransLink’s conventional fleet of low floor with ramp and high floor with lift vehicles and accessible SkyTrain light rapid transit stations through a common fare payment platform.

“At Cubic, we strive to create convenient and easy-to-use transportation systems that meet the needs of residents and travelers in the cities we serve,” said Matt Newsome, senior vice president and general manager, North America West, Cubic Transportation Systems. “Continuing our collaboration with TransLink allows us to enhance the travel experience for Metro Vancouver paratransit riders by offering more convenient forms of payment aboard HandyDART.”

Cubic was awarded a contract from the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority (TransLink) in October 2020 and will deliver over 1,200 pieces of equipment, including mobile validators, driver control units and external modems. As part of the project scope, Cubic will also provide ongoing operations and maintenance support for the equipment. Full installation will begin in July 2021.

https://www.cubic.com/news-events/news/c...e-collection-vancouvers-handydart-system

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by teriyaki

How were the last set of specials sold. Hopefully not at the Translink office in person only?

Chinatown/Waterfront offices..

[Express691]

Hack update:

The alerts page has gone back up with detour notices and station access notices. The notice regarding lack of SMS availability has also disappeared.

An entry for route 23 reads

New routing effective April 26. Via regular route to Beach Ave at Bidwell then via Bidwell, Davie to new terminus at Stop 50001 between Bidwell & Denman.

[Mac Write]

I will use HandyDart again once it's safe, but they won't accept my C.N.I.B. Compass card even though it can hold a balance.

[Dave2]

Originally Posted by Express691

Hack update:

The alerts page has gone back up with detour notices and station access notices. The notice regarding lack of SMS availability has also disappeared.

I noticed that I started getting trip cancellation alerts on Transit App a couple of days ago. They’ve been missing since the hack.

[officedweller]

From the road thread:

Originally Posted by SpongeG

Some quick pics of the new fence they are installing under the skytrain between Gaglardi and Austin, its pretty fancy, a rusty metal, looks like it would be hard to try get over.

Much nicer than the old cement blocks.

2021-05-07_04-33-32 by snub_you, on Flickr

2021-05-07_04-33-38 by snub_you, on Flickr

2021-05-07_04-34-02 by snub_you, on Flickr

[Kisai]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

(for reference)

You're probably right. But that raises more questions than answers, for example:
- What makes 208th or King Ed 'secondary' over Arbutus or 49th?
- Exactly how much does TL expect to densify Maple Ridge that they'd need segregated lanes?
- Do they really expect developers to build townhouses in... one second... Fern Ridge over Whalley or Newton?

If I were more cynical, I'd think TL is just playing politics with the suburban mayors so they don't feel left out, while knowing most of the metro will vote for Network A. There's no reason why A's SkyTrains and B's buses (in mixed traffic or shoulder lanes) can't be done at the same time with the same money.

I can't believe they are considering traffic snarling light rail again. Can we please learn from all the "more bang for the buck" weasel arguments that this only results in slow, infrequent transit that sends people back into driving their car? Especially in Metro Vancouver when people would rather drive than wait 5 minutes for a bus.

[Migrant_Coconut]

Originally Posted by Kisai

I can't believe they are considering traffic snarling light rail again. Can we please learn from all the "more bang for the buck" weasel arguments that this only results in slow, infrequent transit that sends people back into driving their car? Especially in Metro Vancouver when people would rather drive than wait 5 minutes for a bus.

It's mostly BRT lanes, not LRT lanes. Which is still unnecessary for 16th/88th/Commercial (etc etc) which'd be perfectly happy with one artic in mixed traffic every seven minutes.

[Express691]

Speaking of waiting for buses, all of TransLink's real-time communication systems went back up this morning. NextBus is showing all real-time departures as well as tracking and third-party apps are also able to access the data. In addition, all RapidBus stops equipped with arrival times are now displaying real-time schedules.

The customer feedback form remains down at the time this was posted.

https://twitter.com/TransLink/status/1392168103388356608