Transit Fantasies

[Migrant_Coconut]

Originally Posted by fredinno

Hastings doesn't have to be an Expo spur. I just think that's the most likely reason they did what they did here. A more realistic/complete analysis would analyze whether doing so makes any sense.


The SLS intends to have a 6th OMC anyways (in addition to the one being built in Burnaby).

The size of that one is anyone's guess, but I live around there and can tell you there's a ton of underutilized protected industrial land (largely empty lots or storage for concrete blocks or junk) No real space limitations.

There's also room in North Van for an OMC next to the under-construction North Van sewage facility.

It's not like there's no space to expand on the existing OMCs as well (especially at OMC1).

It very much does - Hastings can't use the Edmonds depot without it.

That's the fifth OMC, not counting the Canada's. Since the fourth one cost $300 million and a proportionately-equal sum in the day-to-day operations budget, TransLink likely very much doesn't want to build a sixth one unless they've got a good reason to, and "looks like there's room on Google Maps" isn't a very good reason. Feel free to convince them, not us.

Originally Posted by fredinno

TransLink seems to want smaller OMCs across the entire network, rather than a few big ones.

The fact that each line effectively uses one big one (OMC 2/4 are basically extensions of 1/3) - and that every proposed extension has to connect to that big one - says otherwise. OMC 1/2 is a large part of why the M-Line is aligned how it is.

Originally Posted by fredinno

Maybe it's because you posted this at 2AM (roughly), but I have no idea what you're saying here.

With good timing, going from 15th & Lonsdale Ave to Downtown at rush hour would take the same time on Skytrain as it would on Seabus. Same thing from Lynn Valley (2nd Narrows is slower in some cases as well).


2nd Narrows buses are more competitive mostly from Park + Tilford east.

Right back at you. You're not getting that the First Narrows crossing effectively duplicates SeaBus service, instead of replacing it: if a Norgate or Park Royal extension goes ahead, then as far as Central Lonsdale and Lynn Valley are concerned, it's just a very, very expensive SeaBus which does not improve their commute downtown whatsoever, meaning that a First Narrows crossing's main selling point is next to useless to them.

Current bus commutes are irrelevant to the discussion because all SkyTrain options would replace the R2 (except Norgate, which still needs an R2 stub to Park Royal) and relegate the other buses to local service.