Metro Vancouver Transit Discussion

[Tvisforme]

Originally Posted by twoNeurons

Speaking of Compass, I saw a note on their Instagram feed that they have a team looking into Digital versions of the card. I was impressed by the ease of use of the Clipper system in San Francisco recently. As someone who doesn't use transit daily, I can't count how many compass cards I've misplaced somewhere... and now that I don't carry my wallet everywhere, compass on Apple Pay would be fantastic.

Of course... "looking into it" could just be lip service... as I notice LOTS of people are making comments on their IG feed whenever tapping comes up that they'd love to have a digital Compass card.

Any insiders here hear any rumblings of progress on actually implementing a digital wallet Compass card? I bet Seattle gets one for their ORCA before we do!

That would definitely be nice. I'd also like to see Compass rolled out for BC Transit systems in other BC municipalities, or at least an interface between systems. It would be great if passholders in Victoria, for example, could use their passes in metro Vancouver (and vice versa). There would be a cost to the respective transit systems, of course, since that would be lost farebox revenue, but it strikes mne that it would be a nominal cost compared to the benefits of encouraging visitors to use transit.

[cganuelas1995]

Originally Posted by Tvisforme

That would definitely be nice. I'd also like to see Compass rolled out for BC Transit systems in other BC municipalities, or at least an interface between systems. It would be great if passholders in Victoria, for example, could use their passes in metro Vancouver (and vice versa). There would be a cost to the respective transit systems, of course, since that would be lost farebox revenue, but it strikes mne that it would be a nominal cost compared to the benefits of encouraging visitors to use transit.

And then after that, maybe we could link most or all transit systems together, go across BC without a car

[madog222]

BC Transit is in the process of implementing their Umo electronic fare collection system, it's being piloted in Victoria soon (now?). It's by Cubic like Compass.

The on card stored value system should be simple to operate cross-platform assuming no fare or pass integration.

I don't see any need for regular fare/pass integration. Interregional bus fare could include a local activated fare as West Coast Express does but that would be baked into that specific route's fare so it would be simple to give x to Translink and y to BC Transit from every fare.

[madog222]

R6 project page has been updated.

"R6 RapidBus is expected to launch in early 2024"

[Tvisforme]

Originally Posted by madog222

R6 project page has been updated.

"R6 RapidBus is expected to launch in early 2024"

Quite the energetic promo video there... thanks for the update.

[Klazu]

Uh oh

https://www.burnabynow.com/opinion/lette...to-stop-screeching-skytrains-why-3125593

https://www.burnabynow.com/opinion/letter-skytrain-noise-is-excessive-in-burnaby-6953119

[logicbomb]

Originally Posted by Klazu

Uh oh

https://www.burnabynow.com/opinion/lette...to-stop-screeching-skytrains-why-3125593

https://www.burnabynow.com/opinion/letter-skytrain-noise-is-excessive-in-burnaby-6953119

Wasn't as bad as in 1989?

Do they not recall the days where SRY rail used to send 2 large locomotives up this hill which used to be crazy loud and lead to intense ground vibrations?

"TransLink could quickly reduce the SkyTrain noise during the night by operating it at a slower speed."

Great, then that would set a precedent and require the whole line to be slowed down between 22nd Street Station and Main St Station.

[idunno]

Maybe I'm wrong, but aren't complaints like these why the Skytrain goes slower in front of Citygate and alongside 1500 N Grandview Hwy (just to the west of C-B station)?

So there may already be a precedent?

[madog222]

There was a noise study a few years ago, from that they are implementing changes to maintain a threshold goal of 75db and limit exceedance to 5db in between maintenance periods. Rail dampers are being installed on 3km of track for the first step in implementation.

Rail and rail pads along the original Expo Line are being replaced, I can say first hand that this has made a huge difference. A harder steel rail is also being used to increase the time between required rail grinding.

Retiring the Mark I trains will also be an improvement.

https://www.translink.ca/plans-and-projects/projects/maintenance-and-upgrade-program/rail-projects

Originally Posted by idunno

Maybe I'm wrong, but aren't complaints like these why the Skytrain goes slower in front of Citygate and alongside 1500 N Grandview Hwy (just to the west of C-B station)?

So there may already be a precedent?

Yes but the difference is those specific locations are on very tight turns which directly cause higher noise levels.

[rickvug]

Originally Posted by madog222

Rail and rail pads along the original Expo Line are being replaced, I can say first hand that this has made a huge difference. A harder steel rail is also being used to increase the time between required rail grinding.

Thank you for sharing this study. Do you happen to know if the rails between 22nd Street and New Westminster were replaced? I remember there being overnight work a few years back but I haven't noticed any improvements. The track is noticeably louder now than it was say 5 years ago. Lots of screeching, especially around the bend near the car lots on Stewardson. With nothing blocking the sound it travels well up the hill nearby.

[madog222]

Originally Posted by rickvug

Thank you for sharing this study. Do you happen to know if the rails between 22nd Street and New Westminster were replaced? I remember there being overnight work a few years back but I haven't noticed any improvements. The track is noticeably louder now than it was say 5 years ago. Lots of screeching, especially around the bend near the car lots on Stewardson. With nothing blocking the sound it travels well up the hill nearby.

Yes, that section has been done. I used to live around there and know how bad it was, shame it hasn't improved

[FarmerHaight]

Originally Posted by Klazu

Uh oh

https://www.burnabynow.com/opinion/lette...to-stop-screeching-skytrains-why-3125593

https://www.burnabynow.com/opinion/letter-skytrain-noise-is-excessive-in-burnaby-6953119

Whatever. Our old building was built facing the Skytrain and a noise that woke us up every night when we first moved in became unnoticeable by the time we moved out. If people can live under flight paths and next to highways and heavy rail corridors, they can get used to the Skytrain.

If these complainers really want to see rapid transit noise they should move to Chicago. Not only is the L significantly louder than the Skytrain, but some of those old buildings have less than 20 feet of separation from the rails.

[VancouverOfTheFuture]

Originally Posted by FarmerHaight

they should move to Chicago. Not only is the L significantly louder than the Skytrain, but some of those old buildings have less than 20 feet of separation from the rails.

well Chicago is also a failing city... not a great city to compare with.

but if the SkyTrain noise is over the limits that are imposed by government for safe working levels, then it is a problem that deserves to be addressed.

its hypocritical for a government to tell a company "thats too loud for your employees!" but then ignore when every 72 seconds a train goes by someones backyard and causes noise over that level. i would consider that sustained noise.

there is no reason they cant make the system quieter, like it once was. they just have been putting off the maintenance of the system.

[Migrant_Coconut]

I've walked under the SkyTrain (while it was going by, of course) multiple times - never had a problem. Guess some people just have really sensitive ears.

[fredinno]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

I've walked under the SkyTrain (while it was going by, of course) multiple times - never had a problem. Guess some people just have really sensitive ears.

SkyTrain is louder atop it or on the sides than below it.

[mcj]

I live about as close to the tracks as you can, there's a few buildings in New Westminster that are 20 feet or less from the tracks. It's not nearly as loud as the freight trains shunting all throughout the night, or the traffic when I lived on Royal. Royal was much worse since at least there's a couple minutes break between each Skytrain, with cars and trucks it's non-stop and unpredictable since you've got inexperienced truckers using their airbrakes willy nilly and random bro-dozers & motorcycles modified to be as obnoxious as possible.

[Migrant_Coconut]

Originally Posted by fredinno

SkyTrain is louder atop it or on the sides than below it.

Rumble and Gilley has no homes above guideway level; Patterson does, but they’re set fairly far back. I'm sure Kingsway next door is much louder due to all the traffic/sirens/revving engines, and that the complainers are just Karens being Karens.

[Sheba]

Originally Posted by mcj

I live about as close to the tracks as you can, there's a few buildings in New Westminster that are 20 feet or less from the tracks. It's not nearly as loud as the freight trains shunting all throughout the night, or the traffic when I lived on Royal.

I've found it odd that I can sometimes hear freight trains at night and I live near Edmonds Station - and I hear them louder than the Skytrain that's a lot closer.

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

Rumble and Gilley has no homes above guideway level; Patterson does, but they’re set fairly far back.

I've walked under the tracks (inc over by Rumble and Gilley) and if I'm talking to someone we have to wait for the trains to pass as we can't hear each other over the sound of the Skytrain. It has gotten louder over time.

[VancouverOfTheFuture]

Originally Posted by mcj

I live about as close to the tracks as you can, there's a few buildings in New Westminster that are 20 feet or less from the tracks.

it depends on the section of tracks. some areas are worse than others. the study TransLink did a few years back even showed that.

is it really hard to believe that these people do deal with a louder than average section of SkyTrain? even the report TransLink commissioned a few years back said that this happened in various segments on the track. so you guys can all be like "oh theyre just karens/nimbys/etc" but even TransLink's own report said there were overly loud sections of track.

i dont care enough so havent looked into the specific sections and where this is. but it is not unrealistic to think its possible here, nor is it unreasonable to have an overly loud section of track made quieter if it is found to be above reasonable levels; which some sections we know are, from TransLink's own report on the issue.

so many people here just love to crap on home owners who complain and dismiss them being like "oh well I have never had an issue; karens."

[Vantage]

Originally Posted by Sheba

I've walked under the tracks (inc over by Rumble and Gilley) and if I'm talking to someone we have to wait for the trains to pass as we can't hear each other over the sound of the Skytrain. It has gotten louder over time.

Yep, I walked from Patterson to Joyce with a friend during the Skytrain disruption this past Thursday. I had to stop a few times to continue talking while a train passed overhead.