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Post by Mike C on May 20, 2008 14:35:15 GMT -8
I hope those buses are comfortable, especially the leg room. The leg room on the Orions is the only complaint I have. Critics and potential riders are saying that these new buses are expensive and may not live up to comfort expectations as some say. A wiser idea would be to utilize the double decker buses that Victoria has and conventional buses from both systems. I don't imagine double-decker buses being very realistic for such a lengthly route. Routes connecting systems usually do not use the biggest bus they got. I know Comox-Campbell River connector uses Community Buses that can seat no more than 25 or so people. I also expect the traffic will not be heavy on this run, and there will likely only be a few runs daily, so perhaps a 35' or 40' conventional bus would do the trick. |
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Post by hwy19man on May 21, 2008 13:39:05 GMT -8
I hope those buses are comfortable, especially the leg room. The leg room on the Orions is the only complaint I have. Critics and potential riders are saying that these new buses are expensive and may not live up to comfort expectations as some say. A wiser idea would be to utilize the double decker buses that Victoria has and conventional buses from both systems. I don't imagine double-decker buses being very realistic for such a lengthly route. Routes connecting systems usually do not use the biggest bus they got. I know Comox-Campbell River connector uses Community Buses that can seat no more than 25 or so people. I also expect the traffic will not be heavy on this run, and there will likely only be a few runs daily, so perhaps a 35' or 40' conventional bus would do the trick. The double decker buses could be beneficial on a long route. These buses are used in the Victoria bus system on routes that are 60 to 90 minutes long. These routes are the 61 Sooke\Victoria, 70 Swartz Bay\Victoria, and 75 Saanichton\Victoria. However, conventional buses are also regularly used on these routes. I agree with your point that routes that connecter routes between systems do not use the largest buses but, the ridership will be higher than the Comox Valley\Campbell River connector. Just look at the population difference of that area compared with the Cowichan and Greater Victoria area. Valley Max (Abbotford and area) and Vancouver's Translink have a connector route that is doing well. I have been told that ridership is growing. You are correct that there will be only a few runs on this route. Unofficially, this new service will probably operate during peak hours only, Monday to Friday, from 530h to 900h and 1530h to 1900h. As for your final point, I agree that conventional buses will do the trick. I think it is a waste of money to purchase these expensive commuter buses. |
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Post by Northern Exploration on May 21, 2008 14:02:02 GMT -8
GO Transit here has been adding the double decker buses to the commuter networks here. They are only used on certain routes not system wide. I don't think I have ever taken a GO Bus anywhere but would be interested in trying these ones out. They carry 20 something more passengers than the standard highway coaches. www.gotransit.com/public/en/event/Double_Deck_Bus/doubledeckerevent.htm |
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Post by Retrovision on May 22, 2008 2:32:42 GMT -8
I was just speaking with D60LF-R from this forum recently via MSN, and he has informed me that the buses that will be running on this route will be Nova-Bus Suburban buses. I hope those buses are comfortable, especially the leg room. The leg room on the Orions is the only complaint I have. Critics and potential riders are saying that these new buses are expensive and may not live up to comfort expectations as some say. A wiser idea would be to utilize the double decker buses that Victoria has and conventional buses from both systems. I can't agree with you enough, Mike. If it weren't for the means by which such half brained schemes are produced I'd be all for a commuter service, but people like me are no fools. If you're looking to establish something other than the obviously conspicuous daily rand, I'd be happy to direct you to where you want to visit online. |
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Post by Retrovision on May 22, 2008 2:35:20 GMT -8
You wanted a chief political correspondand didn't you? Just consider me the vaccuous abyss of a regional leader, your choice.
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Post by Retrovision on May 22, 2008 2:39:05 GMT -8
Firstly, and more to the point, Vancouver's Orion V 'express bus' units were in fact a very formidable compromisewhen they were introduced. When the possibility of the chance for an effective 'revival frequency' comes up, I'm all too happy to oblige, but I don't deny that the Orion V 'express coach' units were originally advertised as propper highway coaches.
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Post by queenofcowichan on May 22, 2008 11:07:20 GMT -8
:PI am a regular user of the Nanaimo Regional Transit and They did have a route to Duke Point when they opend up the terminal. It wa called #14 Duke Point and ran from the Downtown Exchange to the Ferry Terminal. They had about 4 trips a day to Duke Point and decided to cancell the service due to LOW RIDERSHIP! Simple put, there is not enough bus-Ferry Passengers to justify servicing Duke Point. However when they extend service to Ladysmith it is planned to service Duke Point with the New Route. Several other Coach line opperators including Laidlaw and Pacific Coach Lines did try to opperate a service from Nanaimo to YVR via Duke Point. Again Cancelled due to LOW RIDERSHIP! I agree it is a pain in the but that there is no transit to Duke Point, Because I sure would use it now, But I will not pay 35 dollars one way just to ride a Coach bus to Duke Point as PCL Charged!  Nanaimo Regional Transit has expanded service considerably effective December 31, 2007, Now Parksville-Qualicum (where I live) have a Sunday service along with Holidays. Within the City of Nanaimo Holliday service (on most Stats) also began. We have expanded evening service on the #8/9 express among other improvements and more planned in the future.  |
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Post by hwy19man on May 29, 2008 20:20:18 GMT -8
However when they extend service to Ladysmith it is planned to service Duke Point with the New Route. [/font] [/quote] Nanaimo transit extending service as far south as Ladysmith? Interesting. As I posted in this thread months ago (see post #7), I was sent an email from the Cowichan Valley Transit system telling me that the Cowichan system will go as far north as Ladysmith come Sept. 2008. I guess that would be the transfer point between the two systems, sort of like where the Comox Valley and Campbell River buses meet. Hopefully, the transfers will coincide with the arrival and departure times at Duke Point (the 1015h to 2015h sailings inclusive, seven days a week). |
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Post by Northern Exploration on Jun 7, 2008 19:01:53 GMT -8
There is a new express bus service that runs in York Region (north of Toronto) called Viva. They are using Vanhool buses from Belgium that both look quite sexy and are really nice inside. They only stop every km or so and use a pre-buy fare system. Here is a National Post article from today but they omit the pics so I have also included the link to their website as well. The regular local buses feed into these buses. www.nationalpost.com/news/canada/toronto/story.html?id=569779www.yrt.ca/services/viva.asp |
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Post by hwy19man on Jun 26, 2009 1:04:33 GMT -8
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Post by Scott on Nov 5, 2014 21:37:59 GMT -8
Anyone have any thoughts on the proposed LRT in Surrey or the UBC Skytrain expansion?
It sounds like Surrey wants LRT (Light Rail Transit) and may be willing to go it alone, without Translink.
As for the UBC Skytrain expansion, which Gregor Robertson is promoting, how useful is it going to be if it only goes as far as Arbutus Street (that's all the mayors are committing to if they get the funding). Isn't that just moving the problem from Broadway and Commercial to Broadway and Arbutus? I think if it was built, it would be hugely "successful" right away.
There was a Vancouver mayoralty candidate debate on CKNW today, and I caught a bit of the "transportation" topic on the way to work.
Vision Vancouver is touting the aforementioned Subway.
The NPA, while not discounting the subway, seems to think more B-line buses are the answer. So what are we going to have? 30-second service on the Broadway corridor? Sounds like someone hasn't been out at UBC during the AM and PM rush.
The Green party wants $30 dollar bus passes for everyone so more people take transit. I hope their plan includes buying more buses and skytrains, because there isn't a lot of capacity left.
- John H
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Post by Taxman on Nov 5, 2014 22:17:23 GMT -8
I think that the expansion to Arbutus would provide the Skytrain system with better resiliency, and for that alone I think they should be expanding to Cambie at a minimum and quickly. If there is an issue on the Expo Line, M-Line commuters could take the Canada Line from Cambie instead of joining the mess on the Expo Line.
While UBC is undeniably an "Anchor" of the 99 B-Line, Central Broadway does have a lot of commuters (for example VGH) and commuters from Burnaby to Richmond would no longer need to joint the 99 B-Line queues.
As far as Surrey goes, I think that Light Rail (especially if they can get it in and use dedicated right-of-ways in places) is the way to go. Surrey is large, construction costs are lower and there is opportunities to place ground LRTs before the density makes retrofitting a LRT impractical (due to existing intersections) or expensive (due to existing buildings).
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Post by Starsteward on Nov 6, 2014 6:51:10 GMT -8
I think that the expansion to Arbutus would provide the Skytrain system with better resiliency, and for that alone I think they should be expanding to Cambie at a minimum and quickly. If there is an issue on the Expo Line, M-Line commuters could take the Canada Line from Cambie instead of joining the mess on the Expo Line. While UBC is undeniably an "Anchor" of the 99 B-Line, Central Broadway does have a lot of commuters (for example VGH) and commuters from Burnaby to Richmond would no longer need to joint the 99 B-Line queues. As far as Surrey goes, I think that Light Rail (especially if they can get it in and use dedicated right-of-ways in places) is the way to go. Surrey is large, construction costs are lower and there is opportunities to place ground LRTs before the density makes retrofitting a LRT impractical (due to existing intersections) or expensive (due to existing buildings). 'Taxman' has me totally confused with the first two paragraphs of his most recent post. In the first paragraph, you propose expanding the 'S kytrain' system to Arbutus. Do you meant 'skytrain' as compared to subway? ( ie. most of Canada Line) The second line in your first paragraph has this native Vancouverite in a complete fog. Maybe it's too early in the morning or not enough coffee, but if you could help me understand what you're saying there, I would be most appreciative. If I understand correctly, your second paragraph is in support of some sort of rapid transit other than the 99 B-line to get commuters to the VGH area and commuters from Burnaby going to Richmond would use the expanded rapid transit line along Broadway, exit at Cambie and then hook up with the Canada Line, southbound to Richmond? It is true that 'Broadway' traverses a fairly high mixed density of residential and commercial pockets, however, I totally disagree for a myriad of reasons, that the Broadway corridor is NOT the optimum route for rapid transit expansion, the reasons I will elaborate upon in another posting. If I was a bit 'at sea' with your first two paragraphs, I found a life-line with your third paragraph which is 100% on the money! Surrey doesn't need any more ugly elevated skytrain lines. The city of Surrey's topography is for the most part much flatter (yes there are some hilly areas) however, at grade, LRT would be a great fit! Historically, Surrey was traversed by the old BC Electric tram system and many of the old right of ways still exist. The reasons you give in support of LRT for Surrey are totally correct. If any members of our forum had the opportunity to enjoy the short ride on the Bombardier electric trams during the 2010 Winter Olympics, surely those beautiful trams would have won your hearts over to seeing them as a part of our Metro Vancouver transit system in the future. Those Bombardier trams would be a wonderful fit for Surrey. AND, if Surrey is smart, they will go it alone with their future rapid transit plans rather than get mired down with the Translink folks and all the civic administrations on the north side of the Fraser river. |
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Post by Mike C on Nov 6, 2014 12:04:09 GMT -8
I think that the expansion to Arbutus would provide the Skytrain system with better resiliency, and for that alone I think they should be expanding to Cambie at a minimum and quickly. If there is an issue on the Expo Line, M-Line commuters could take the Canada Line from Cambie instead of joining the mess on the Expo Line. While UBC is undeniably an "Anchor" of the 99 B-Line, Central Broadway does have a lot of commuters (for example VGH) and commuters from Burnaby to Richmond would no longer need to joint the 99 B-Line queues. As far as Surrey goes, I think that Light Rail (especially if they can get it in and use dedicated right-of-ways in places) is the way to go. Surrey is large, construction costs are lower and there is opportunities to place ground LRTs before the density makes retrofitting a LRT impractical (due to existing intersections) or expensive (due to existing buildings). 'Taxman' has me totally confused with the first two paragraphs of his most recent post. In the first paragraph, you propose expanding the 'S kytrain' system to Arbutus. Do you meant 'skytrain' as compared to subway? ( ie. most of Canada Line) The second line in your first paragraph has this native Vancouverite in a complete fog. Maybe it's too early in the morning or not enough coffee, but if you could help me understand what you're saying there, I would be most appreciative. If I understand correctly, your second paragraph is in support of some sort of rapid transit other than the 99 B-line to get commuters to the VGH area and commuters from Burnaby going to Richmond would use the expanded rapid transit line along Broadway, exit at Cambie and then hook up with the Canada Line, southbound to Richmond? It is true that 'Broadway' traverses a fairly high mixed density of residential and commercial pockets, however, I totally disagree for a myriad of reasons, that the Broadway corridor is NOT the optimum route for rapid transit expansion, the reasons I will elaborate upon in another posting. I too had a rough time with Taxman's first two paragraph's (maybe some context is needed?), but I can address what Starsteward is speaking of. First of all: I think Taxman is talking about using the SkyTrain technology, but underground like a subway. An elevated rail line on Broadway would be horrendous. The Broadway Corridor has been an immense challenge for planners and elected officials alike. At the moment, it seems to be a lot of hot-air, with not a lot of action, specifically from the province (they have prioritized a large number of other projects ahead of addressing the 99 B-Line, the busiest bus route in North America). I would have to look at some of the plans/consultation reports again as a refresher (it's been a few years since any real work was done on this project), so bear with me here - I believe the ideal routing is an extension of the Millennium Line along Great Northern Way, meeting Broadway in the Kingsway/Main/Mount Pleasant area, and continuing on Broadway to a terminus at Arbutus. From a planning perspective, it is exceptionally important that, whatever rapid transit is selected, remains on Broadway. The developments that have been approved and constructed on BWay over the past ten years have all had rapid transit in mind. Utilizing another right-of-way would be bad for neighbourhoods along the corridor, and transit ridership would take a hit. That said, I am definitely open to hear other ideas. Here is the executive summary of alternatives, set out by TransLink: www.translink.ca/~/media/documents/plans_and_projects/rapid_transit_projects/ubc/alternatives_evaluation/ubc_line_rapid_transit_study_phase_2_alternatives_evaluation_executive_summary.ashx |
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Post by Taxman on Nov 6, 2014 21:41:15 GMT -8
Apologies, I will provide further information and context:
What is meant here is that by expanding along Broadway to Arbutus, there the Millennium Line (future Evergreen Line?) would intersect the Canada Line at Cambie Street (presumably at Broadway-City Hall). If there are issues or delays for the Broadway-Commercial to Waterfront Stretch of the Expo-Millennium Line, commuters can avoid the congestion by staying on the line to Broadway-City Hall Station. This would offer an alternative Rapid Transit Link for the Millennium Line (future Evergreen Line?) to Downtown.
This is just me expressing that I believe there is value in creating this link.
I am hoping that I clarified this further up.
While UBC is undeniably an "Anchor" of the 99 B-Line A lot of 99 B-Line (and 84 VCC Clark) and local bus service passengers ride the existing services to UBC/UEL. A lot of the ridership is driven by UBC Staff, Students or others with activities out there.
I believe "Central Broadway" is a roughly defined area by Translink, it is something like Arbutus to Main? I have never had to defined it, but that is how I visualize it. There are a lot of employers in that area, and a lot of commuters end their commutes well before UBC/UEL. , and commuters from Burnaby to Richmond would no longer need to joint the 99 B-Line queues. Again, this closes the connection between the Millennium and Canada Lines, as mentioned above. It would save a transfer at Broadway Commercial.
And read "Skytrain" as "the metro system in Vancouver, excluding the Canada Line, specifically that which uses Bombardier ART technology and operates at, above or below grade". I did not mean to suggest that it would have to be exclusively elevated.
I hope this defogs some of the issues. That said, perhaps my head is just in the clouds. |
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