Public Transit Discussion

[Ferryman]

Not much of a bus fan, and the service I'm about to mention isn't even run by "Transit"

On the BC Day long weekend, my hometown of Ladysmith, unveiled their own bus service. It is entirely funded by the people of the town, sponsors, and donations. The fare for riding the bus is free, however they still accept donations. To add to the unique service, they use a Trolley type bus. It's pretty neat seeing this bus cruise the streets of town. This was a service that could have been used years ago. When I was younger, my ways of getting around town was by bike. Those who are familiar with the town, would know that every street has some sort of hill on it, and they're usually either gradual inclines, to the well known 19% grade on Symonds Hill. So I trained myself to ride up and down the hills at ease. Now kids who grow up here will get to ride a bus into town instead. I've yet to ride the bus myself, and I intend to try it out one of these days too. It's just too bad they're not running earlier in the day so I could take it to work.

Anyways, here's the website that shows what the trolley looks like, and shows the route it takes, etc.

www.ladysmithtrolley.com/

[Neil]

Sept 12, 2009 19:25:16 GMT -8 northwesterner said:

I enjoyed the 1400s a lot, and spent many afternoons my freshman year of high school (Spring 1999) chasing them all over Redmond, Bellevue, and Eastgate.

Not clear on how one 'chases' a bus, or why.

Sept 15, 2009 20:15:49 GMT -8 Ferryman said:

Not much of a bus fan, and the service I'm about to mention isn't even run by "Transit"

On the BC Day long weekend, my hometown of Ladysmith, unveiled their own bus service. It is entirely funded by the people of the town, sponsors, and donations. The fare for riding the bus is free, however they still accept donations. To add to the unique service, they use a Trolley type bus. It's pretty neat seeing this bus cruise the streets of town. This was a service that could have been used years ago. When I was younger, my ways of getting around town was by bike. Those who are familiar with the town, would know that every street has some sort of hill on it, and they're usually either gradual inclines, to the well known 19% grade on Symonds Hill. So I trained myself to ride up and down the hills at ease. Now kids who grow up here will get to ride a bus into town instead. I've yet to ride the bus myself, and I intend to try it out one of these days too. It's just too bad they're not running earlier in the day so I could take it to work.
Anyways, here's the website that shows what the trolley looks like, and shows the route it takes, etc.
www.ladysmithtrolley.com/

Seems odd that they refer to this bus- and the tourist ones in Vancouver- as a 'trolley', when they're just regular trolley-less diesels with a faux-historical look. This has to be the only transit service around where one vehicle apparently covers seven routes. Good for Ladysmith to have the community initiative to get this done.

[Mill Bay]

Sept 15, 2009 21:56:27 GMT -8 Neil said:

Sept 12, 2009 19:25:16 GMT -8 northwesterner said:

I enjoyed the 1400s a lot, and spent many afternoons my freshman year of high school (Spring 1999) chasing them all over Redmond, Bellevue, and Eastgate.

Not clear on how one 'chases' a bus, or why.

Sept 15, 2009 20:15:49 GMT -8 Ferryman said:

Not much of a bus fan, and the service I'm about to mention isn't even run by "Transit"

On the BC Day long weekend, my hometown of Ladysmith, unveiled their own bus service. It is entirely funded by the people of the town, sponsors, and donations. The fare for riding the bus is free, however they still accept donations. To add to the unique service, they use a Trolley type bus. It's pretty neat seeing this bus cruise the streets of town. This was a service that could have been used years ago. When I was younger, my ways of getting around town was by bike. Those who are familiar with the town, would know that every street has some sort of hill on it, and they're usually either gradual inclines, to the well known 19% grade on Symonds Hill. So I trained myself to ride up and down the hills at ease. Now kids who grow up here will get to ride a bus into town instead. I've yet to ride the bus myself, and I intend to try it out one of these days too. It's just too bad they're not running earlier in the day so I could take it to work.
Anyways, here's the website that shows what the trolley looks like, and shows the route it takes, etc.
www.ladysmithtrolley.com/

Seems odd that they refer to this bus- and the tourist ones in Vancouver- as a 'trolley', when they're just regular trolley-less diesels with a faux-historical look. This has to be the only transit service around where one vehicle apparently covers seven routes. Good for Ladysmith to have the community initiative to get this done.

I'm of the same mind... they both seem a little bit fake to my point of view, and I'm also not sure Ladysmith ever even had genuine trolleys of its own. It is really a misnomer, because the term trolley is a reference to the assembly of overhead wires from which electric streetcars drew their electrical power, so if it's just a bus dressed up like a trolley car, I'm not sure it's really fare to call it a trolley since it's not making any contact with any kind of overhead trolley wires. This one looks nice and fancy though, really quite attractive.

[SS San Mateo]

Sept 15, 2009 21:56:27 GMT -8 Neil said:

Seems odd that they refer to this bus- and the tourist ones in Vancouver- as a 'trolley', when they're just regular trolley-less diesels with a faux-historical look.

On one (now defunct) message board, these were often referred to as "tacky trolleys".

One bus manufacturer offers a "trolley" version of their low-floor bus.

www.gillig.com/New%20GILLIG%20WEB/trolley.htm

[Northern Exploration]

One of the manufacturers of the Faux Wood Tour Buses is MCI - that large intercity bus manufacturer. They use the "city" rated chassis and put the tourbus shell on it. It is similar to many of the commuter buses that are used in many cities. I am sure there are other manufacturers as well. No tree was harmed in the manufacture of those buses .

[Jacob]

Well that's intersting, I didn't even know that CN line you speak of existed! I suppose the tracks must be gone or I would certainly have seen them... Is the right of way still in place though so it could be re-tracked and used? I don't know that much about trains, I realise light rail vehicles like the Bombardier ones are obviously way lighter than say a freight locomotive or whatever, but why could they not operate on the heavier track? They are both standard guage if I am not mistaken...

[WettCoast]

That CN line on southern Vancouver Island is better known today as the Galloping Goose Trail. I imagine a lot of people would be pretty upset if the right of way was reclaimed for rail usage.

The name Galloping Goose comes from a passenger service that CN operated over this line in the 1920's. The gas powered rail car that provided this service apparently lurched along like a 'galloping goose'. Because of this people gave the service the nick-name 'Galloping Goose'.

For more check this out:
www.crd.bc.ca/parks/galloping-goose/index.htm

[stvfishy]

Mar 29, 2010 20:39:39 GMT -8 WettCoast said:

That CN line on southern Vancouver Island is better known today as the Galloping Goose Trail. I imagine a lot of people would be pretty upset if the right of way was reclaimed for rail usage.

The name Galloping Goose comes from a passenger service that CN operated over this line in the 1920's. The gas powered rail car that provided this service apparently lurched along like a 'galloping goose'. Because of this people gave the service the nick-name 'Galloping Goose'.

For more check this out:
www.crd.bc.ca/parks/galloping-goose/index.htm

Plan to move Galloping Goose Trail draws squawks
By Bill Cleverley, Times ColonistMarch 30, 2010 3:55 AM

www.timescolonist.com/Plan+move+Galloping+Goose+Trail+draws+squawks/2742734/story.html

[FerryDude2012]

Several transit pics to share with everybody:
- All photos taken by me
- Photos taken on various days throughout the year
- Numbers of each photo are on the bottom left corner
Can you identify where each photo was taken? Let's see
(#11 won't count, but for those who are willing to attempt it, the bus is part of the Nanaimo Regional Transit System on Route #2 Hammond Bay/Woodgrove/Downtown)

We will start off with BC Transit
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
10)
11)

Translink:
12)
13)
14)
15)
16)
17)
18)
19)
20)
21)
22)
23)
24)
25)
26)
27)
28)
29)
30)
31)
32)
33)
34)
35)
36)
37)
38)
39)
40)
41)
42)
43)
44)
45)

[lmtengs]

Aug 28, 2011 23:59:35 GMT -8 FerryDude2012 said:

Can you identify where each photo was taken? Let's see

We will start off with BC Transit
1) No idea.
2) I was going to guess a certain location in the CRD region, but the bus clearly says it's from the NRD... so no idea.
3) No idea.
4) Woodgrove Centre Loop. Pier 1 Imports sign and the grassy embankment threw that my way.
5) Somewhere in Nanaimo
6) #1 Woodgrove at Woodgrove
7) Same place as photo #2.
8) Government Street at Belleville, Southbound. Victoria, of course.
9) No idea.
10) Ooh, I know this one, but I forget the name of the place!!! I'll leave it open to the next person.
11) ON THE BUS.

Translink:
12) Can't pinpoint it. I really want to say it's in Langley though.
13) No idea.
14) No idea.
15) My first thought was the Ladner Exchange, but that's just dunce.
16) Holy hits, I have no idea!
17) Same place as 16. But still, no clue.
18) Not the faintest idea.
19) No idea.
20) Nope....
21) Still nothing.
22) Ooh, Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal
23) Same as above.
24) Same as 22.
25) Don't be tricky with me. Same as 22, different angle.
26) No idea.
27) Got nothin'.
28) Nope.
29) Nowhere I've been.
30) Still not getting it. Same location as last photo though.
31) No idea.
32) ooh ooh, I know that one... it's one of a few... Bridgeport Station?
33) Narp.
34) Nothin'.
35) Didn't even know the 606 existed...
36) Not getting it.
37) Granville Street Bridge, northbound.
38) Not sure.
39) Bridgeport Station.
40) Is that still Bridgeport...?
41) Not sure.
42) Not sure.
43) I'll guess Bridgeport again.
44) Not sure.
45) No idea.

Give me my grade, teacher

[Mike]

13, 27 and 28 are all taken at Dunbar Loop. I should know, it's only a few blocks away from my house.

[CN2972South]

1 and 7 are the exchange by the E&N Railway station in Nanaimo.

[FerryDude2012]

Queen of Esquimalt: Correct, those 3 were taken at Dunbar Loop (41st at Dunbar)
bcr4604: Correct, but your missing a few more that were taken at the same location

The Canadian Viking:
I'll just grade you on the ones you answered, leave the "no idea" for others to guess
4) Correct
5) Incorrect
6) Correct
7) 1/2 mark, it is the same location as photo #2, but you didn't identify it ;D
8) Correct
11) Thank you Captain Obvious ;D

Translink:
12) 1/2 mark
15) Correct
17) 1/2 mark, same place as #16, but hasn't been identified
22-25) All correct
30) 1/2 mark, same location as #29, but hasn't been identified
32) Correct
37) Correct
39) Correct
40) Correct
43) Correct

GRAND TOTAL (of all you answered): 16/19 (including half marks)

The rest are still up for grabs
#2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11 (bonus), 12, 14, 16, 17-21, 26-31, 33-36, 38, 41, 42, 44, 45

[Mike C]

I'll give it my best shot.

BC Transit
2) Prideaux Exchange, Nanaimo
3) Country Club, Nanaimo
5) Government St, Victoria
7) Prideaux Exchange, Nanaimo
9) Prideaux Exchange, Nanaimo
10) Nanaimo
11) Nanaimo

TransLink
12) Aldergrove Terminus
14) on 132 St (near 88 Ave?), Surrey
16, 17) Scottsdale Exchange, Surrey
18, 19) Bridgeport Station, Richmond
20) Steveston, Richmond
26) Brentwood Station, Burnaby
29, 30) Ladner Exchange, Delta
31) Bridgeport Station, Richmond
33) Ladner Exchange, Delta
35) Lander Exchange, Delta
36) Crescent Beach Terminus
41) Tsawwassen Terminal
42, 44, 45) Bridgeport Station, Richmond

[Mike]

I'm going to say 10 is Sechelt BC. On Cowrie Street. I'll leave the rest for others as I have no idea.

[FerryDude2012]

Queen of Esquimalt got #10 right, 8083 is at the Sechelt Terminus on Cowrie Street (Trail Bay Mall) after finishing the #1 Sechelt/Gibsons/Roberts Creek/Langdale Ferry

Mileage photo:
#3 wasn't taken at the Country Club Exchange
#10 was answered by Queen of Esquimalt
#14 is incorrect, the location is about 6 stops from Newton Exchange if your on the northbound 324 Surrey Central Station
Everything else is correct!

Few side notes:
- #3, 21, 34, 38 are still up for grabs
- #14 may be challenging for those who are unfamiliar with transit in Surrey, the answer can be given with either one street, an intersection or neighborhood
- Luke, the 606 and 608 Ladner Ring are AM/PM Peak Hour routes that basically goes around the entire town before returning to Ladner Exchange and continuing as the 601 Bridgeport Station, in the PM Peak, some 601 trips end at Ladner Exchange and turn into the 606/608 Ladner Ring. The difference is that the 606 does a clockwise loop, while the 608 does a counterclockwise loop around Ladner. Alternatively, there's the C86 and C88 that follow the 606 and 608 routes, the shuttles run from morning to evening.
- #11 seems unfair, the answer is Brooks Landing Centre Mall in Central Nanaimo, just off the Island Hwy (19A) while on the 2 Hammond Bay to Downtown

[Scott (Former Account)]

#3 was taken at Prideaux Street Exchange.

[FerryDude2012]

Correct. 3 left for grabs (21, 34, 38)

[Mike C]

#14 is on 68th Ave!

#38 is at Langley Center.

[FerryDude2012]

You got it! 1 more left! #34

[Neil]

In a joking post this evening, Mr Sol Duc presented a photo of an articulated double decker bus. I didn't even know such a thing existed.

It made me think...

If one vehicle could carry such a large number of people, shouldn't we perhaps be considering it as an option against the vastly more expensive conventional LRT or Skytrain type systems? Perhaps on a dedicated roadway, or even an exclusive lane on an existing road?

There is a pressing need for rapid transit along the Broadway corridor, as evidenced by the runaway success of the 99 B-Line route. Any tunnel or elevated rapid transit line along that street would present a logistical nightmare to build, as well as being horribly expensive. Perhaps these mega-buses, on a modified roadway, would present a feasible alternative, there and elsewhere.

[SolDuc]

Oct 14, 2013 21:40:47 GMT -8 Neil said:

In a joking post this evening, Mr Sol Duc presented a photo of an articulated double decker bus. I didn't even know such a thing existed.

It made me think...

If one vehicle could carry such a large number of people, shouldn't we perhaps be considering it as an option against the vastly more expensive conventional LRT or Skytrain type systems? Perhaps on a dedicated roadway, or even an exclusive lane on an existing road?

There is a pressing need for rapid transit along the Broadway corridor, as evidenced by the runaway success of the 99 B-Line route. Any tunnel or elevated rapid transit line along that street would present a logistical nightmare to build, as well as being horribly expensive. Perhaps these mega-buses, on a modified roadway, would present a feasible alternative, there and elsewhere.

Articulated double deckers don't exist...at least not for Transit. That was an april fools joke from Community Transit. See here..
Here's actual articulated double deckers, but those are not transit buses: Here.

Anyways, if it actually existed, an Articulated Double Decker (we'll call it ADD) would only carry about 200 people. To give you an idea a skytrain trainset carries anywhere between 300 and 600 people, depending on cars, and a full (both seats and standees) articulated bus carries about 120.
However, DDs, whether their articulated or not are a poor choice for BRT (B-line equivalent) since they only have two doors and have a very limited amount of standees. If, say you were stitting upstairs and downstairs was packed with standees you'd have to start to try to get to a door about five minutes before your stop.

[Cable Cassidy]

Since this bus isn't "technically" running for a specific system, I'll just dump the photos here.

New Flyer and Alexander Dennis (best known in North America for the Enviro 500 double decker bus) announced a partnership earlier this year to develop and market a "medium-duty" bus for the North American market. In the transit world we assumed this would be based on the Enviro 200, and we were correct. A few months ago the New Flyer "MiDi" was announced.

Here's a 35' New Flyer "MiDi" demo in Victoria, BC. This particular coach has been hanging around Victoria for several weeks (most demos only hang around for a few days) so I have a good feeling BC Transit is taking this bus seriously. The Dennis Dart fleet across the province is getting up there in age, and will need replacing soon.  The "Vicinity" was originally vision as a Dart replacement, but if the MiDi is priced similar, built in North America, and supported by the New Flyer service network, I think that's the end to it.

Anyways, here's the photos!


CWC_4927 by BusShots, on Flickr


CWC_4917 by BusShots, on Flickr

[Blue Bus Fan]

Oct 31, 2013 20:28:12 GMT -8 Cable Cassidy said:

Since this bus isn't "technically" running for a specific system, I'll just dump the photos here.

New Flyer and Alexander Dennis (best known in North America for the Enviro 500 double decker bus) announced a partnership earlier this year to develop and market a "medium-duty" bus for the North American market. In the transit world we assumed this would be based on the Enviro 200, and we were correct. A few months ago the New Flyer "MiDi" was announced.

Here's a 35' New Flyer "MiDi" demo in Victoria, BC. This particular coach has been hanging around Victoria for several weeks (most demos only hang around for a few days) so I have a good feeling BC Transit is taking this bus seriously. The Dennis Dart fleet across the province is getting up there in age, and will need replacing soon.  The "Vicinity" was originally vision as a Dart replacement, but if the MiDi is priced similar, built in North America, and supported by the New Flyer service network, I think that's the end to it.

Anyways, here's the photos!

[photos]

Do you know for how long it will be in Victoria and will it head next? 
I wonder if these buses will have the same problem as the "Vicinity" did with Union in Victoria. But I think these buses will replace the Darts, eventually. 
I hope TransLink will get some of the buses  to operate on less popular routes but still operated throughout the day. 

[Scott]

This video from Denmark is hilarious.  There's an English version, but I like it way better in Danish with the English close captioning on.:




- John H