Metro Vancouver Transit Discussion

[GeeCee]

Are these the result of the test bus program? I still see those rolling around town..

[deasine]

Originally Posted by GeeCee

Are these the result of the test bus program? I still see those rolling around town..

It depends what context you define it in. If hybrid buses are a result of the TestBus program, then yes. Otherwise, no. The TestBus program I would think is over, but they just have those buses running because we need every bus we can have.

[Kwik-E-Mart]

Where will these brand new darlings of the Vancouver public transit system be allocated? Does anyone know?

[deasine]

Originally Posted by Kwik-E-Mart

Where will these brand new darlings of the Vancouver public transit system be allocated? Does anyone know?

It's already in the Burnaby Lot.

[Kwik-E-Mart]

Originally Posted by deasine

It's already in the Burnaby Lot.

Not elsewhere in the Metro area?

[deasine]

Originally Posted by Kwik-E-Mart

Not elsewhere in the Metro area?

That I'm not too sure, but I'm quite sure Richmond won't be getting any =P

Fortunately for Vancouver, many of the Vancouver routes (i.e. 49) have buses coming from the Burnaby lot.

[twoNeurons]

I don't think they physically allocate buses. They allocate drivers and some buses tend to be used on certain routes due to them being in certain areas, but they don't say... ALL NEW BUSES GO HERE!

[zivan56]

These "hybrid" buses barely qualify as hybrids. They can't start moving with battery power only or turn off the engine when crawling through traffic. The only thing they have compared to say, a diesel locomotive, is an almost insignificant battery pack. The DE60LFRs (note that even New Flyer calls them Diesel Electric), run the engine at full power after 1-3 seconds of delay so that the smaller engine can provide enough power for forward movement.
I don't see how they actually save any gas...

[CLC]

Labour dispute strands seniors and disabled who depend on HandyDart transit

(CP)
VANCOUVER, B.C. — Thousands of seniors, those with physically disabilities and the seriously ill in Metro Vancouver have been left sitting at home after a labour dispute stalled their transportation service.

The Amalgamated Transit Union, representing HandyDart workers, issued 72-hour strike notice for Monday morning, but most drivers who showed up for work Sunday were told to go home.

Dave Watt, president of ATU local 1724, says the company jumped the gun without informing either the union or its customers that it would be stopping service.

Watt says they're looking for job security and to retain benefits after workers in eight separate unions were merged into one when the HandyDart service was contracted out to MVT Canadian Bus last year.

The company presented an offer to the union on Thursday, but Watt says the union had only clarified some of the issues in the offer before it found out its workers were being sent home.

The Labour Relations Board has ruled that HandyDart services for renal dialysis and cancer patients are essential and must be provided.

[jlousa]

Saw skytrain cars 329-330 in service today. Are those the highest so far?

[hollywoodnorth]

Originally Posted by jlousa

Saw skytrain cars 329-330 in service today. Are those the highest so far?

as far as I have seen yes sir

[Mac Write]

I saw them (I think) come and go as Expo Line at 22nd Street at 6PMish.

[DKaz]

I thought I saw 331-332 in the OMC early last week.

[dreambrother808]

I recently saw some of those new hybrids driving through the Rockies on their way to Vancouver. Very odd to see Translink livery in those surroundings. Funnily enough they all had their "Not in service" messages lit up. Don't want anyone thinking they can get picked up in Banff or Revelstoke and catch a public transit ride to Vancouver!

[zivan56]

Yep, the Novas came by their own power. The New Flyers get shipped here by truck/train.
I personally would prefer if they didn't drive them here from Quebec(?), as it reduces the length of their service before the first rebuild. Not to mention running the engine near 100% for that long, especially when brand new, can cause many issues (you can bet that the hybrid bus will really need to run at full power in order to keep the bus running at highway speeds).

[deasine]

Originally Posted by dreambrother808

Don't want anyone thinking they can get picked up in Banff or Revelstoke and catch a public transit ride to Vancouver!

So is that only a three zone fare?

Rode on a few of the new SkyTrains yesterday, some had their destination signs & LED maps on, some don't. The A/C on a few of the trains have been quieter now.

[Spork]

Originally Posted by dreambrother808

I recently saw some of those new hybrids driving through the Rockies on their way to Vancouver. Very odd to see Translink livery in those surroundings. Funnily enough they all had their "Not in service" messages lit up. Don't want anyone thinking they can get picked up in Banff or Revelstoke and catch a public transit ride to Vancouver!

I was on one of these last Wednesday - I think that it was its first trip. They smell nice and new and are decently well designed, with the exception of the four pairs of seats (two pairs on the left, two on the right) facing each other in the back. There is VERY little leg room such that I doubt that I would want to sit knee to knee (touching) with a stranger.

[BCPhil]

Originally Posted by deasine

So is that only a three zone fare?

Yeah, to Vancouver it would be 3 zones. If you were going to Surrey, or even Tsawwassen from Revelstoke it would be 1 zone.

[DKaz]

Originally Posted by Spork

There is VERY little leg room such that I doubt that I would want to sit knee to knee (touching) with a stranger.

All West Coast Express seats are like that but no complaints.

[deasine]

Originally Posted by DKaz

All West Coast Express seats are like that but no complaints.

The West Coast Express has a lot more leg room compared to that of these Nova buses.