TransLink - Photos and Discussion

[Blue Bus Fan]

Service cuts start Wednesday April 23, 2020 until who knows:

SkyTrain

Expo Line capacity will be reduced by 20% during peak hours. During middays, early evenings, and weekends, capacity will be reduced by 20% to 40%, depending on the time of day.
These capacity reductions are in addition to a 17% reduction during peak hours and a 20% reduction on Friday and Saturday evenings which took place last month.

Millennium Line capacity will be reduced by 15% during peak hours. During middays, early evenings, and weekends, capacity will be reduced by 20% to 40%, depending on the time of day.
These capacity reductions are in addition to a 17% reduction during peak hours and a 20% reduction on Friday and Saturday evenings which took place last month.

Canada Line capacity has been reduced by 18% during peak hours.
West Coast Express

Trains one, three and five will continue running with fewer cars.
Trains two and four remain temporarily suspended.

Bus routes temporary suspending service starts on a Friday April 24, 2020 with more coming in May:

18 bus routes will be suspended:

15 Cambie / Olympic Village Station
Alternative route: Canada Line
32 Dunbar / Downtown
Alternative routes: 2 and/or 7
50 Waterfront Station / False Creek South
Alternative route: 84 and/or any downtown bus
68 UBC Exchange / Westbrook Village
105 Uptown / New Westminster Station
131 Hastings / Kootenay Loop
132 Capitol Hill / Hastings
143 Burquitlam Station / SFU
Alternative route: 145
222 Willingdon Express
Alternative route: 28 or 130
414 Richmond Oval / Brighouse Station
480 UBC / Bridgeport
Alternative route: Canada Line and/or 10, R4, 41
R3 Lougheed Hwy RapidBus
Alternative route: 701
N8 Downtown / Fraser
N15 Downtown / Cambie
N17 Downtown / UBC
N22 Downtown / Macdonald
N24 Downtown / Lynn Valley
N35 Downtown / SFU


In effect mid-May
An additional 47 routes will be suspended and frequency will be reduced on all remaining routes.

Expected route suspensions: 251, 252, 262, 280, 281, 282, 370, 563, 564, 44, 170, 181, 182, 231, 241, 247, 258, 345, 352, 354, 391, 393, 394, 395, 416, 509, 602, 603, 604, 606, 608, 614, 616, 617, 618, 619, 719, 722, 733, 741, 744, 748, 749, 791, 42, 150, 179.
Precise timing for these suspensions and reductions will be released in due course.

All staying effect until who knows.

www.translink.ca/Schedules-and-Maps/Transit-Service-Changes.aspx

[Starsteward]

WOW, WOW, WOW!
Ridership as reported is waaaay down but those April suspensions look very daunting and the rub-outs to occur in mid-May don't appear to leave us with much of
a transit system.
How will this decrease in service affect essential service workers from getting to and from work everyday?

[Starsteward]

In addition, one wonders if any level of government will be interested in offering any "rescue-money"?

[Blue Bus Fan]

Apr 22, 2020 11:02:52 GMT -8 Starsteward said:

In addition, one wonders if any level of government will be interested in offering any "rescue-money"?

I think Provincial Government will come with funding to return to normal in fall. I also that TransLink may undergo restructure itself to help long term fiscal sustainability.

dailyhive.com/vancouver/translink-service-cuts-coronavirus-april-2020

[Blue Bus Fan]

Bowen Island, West Vancouver Community Shuttles have been cancelled excluding the 256, Community Shuttles routes from Phibbs Excharge are moving to Saturday schedule on weekdays:

Six bus routes will be suspended:

251 Park Royal/Queens
Please arrange for an alternate mode of travel to connect with the 250 on Marine Drive.
252 Park Royal/Inglewood
Please arrange for an alternate mode of travel to connect with the 250 on Marine Drive.
262 Lions Bay/Caulfield
Please arrange for an alternate mode of travel to connect with the 250 or 257 at Horseshoe Bay.
280 Bluewater/Snug Cove
Please arrange for an alternate mode of travel
281 Eagle Cliff/Snug Cove
Please arrange for an alternate mode of travel
282 Mt Gardner/Snug Cove
Please arrange for an alternate mode of travel
Four bus routes will have reduced service:

214 Blueridge/Phibbs Exchange/Burrard Station
The 214 will operate on a Saturday schedule on weekdays
Service over the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge will continue until mid-May
215 Indian River/Phibbs Exchange
Service will operate on a Saturday schedule on weekdays
Frequency will be reduced to every 30 minutes during weekday rush hours (previously every 15 minutes)
227 Lynn Valley Centre/Phibbs Exchange
Will operate on a Saturday schedule on weekdays
256 Whitby Estates/Park Royal/Spuraway
Will operate on a regular weekday schedule

[Blue Bus Fan]

Fares will reintroduce on buses starting June 1.

[Blue Bus Fan]

Major service reduction for every route while 44 routes are canceled effective May 18 due cost reduction. West Vancouver Blue Bus service reduction take effect on May 16 due cost reduction. Detours for trolley routes start May 18 until 2025 for Broadway Subway.

www.translink.ca/Schedules-and-Maps/Transit-Service-Changes.aspx

[Blue Bus Fan]

May 5, 2020 18:54:15 GMT -8 Blue Bus Fan said:

Major service reduction for every route while 44 routes are canceled effective May 18 due cost reduction. West Vancouver Blue Bus service reduction take effect on May 16 due cost reduction. Detours for trolley routes start May 18 until 2025 for Broadway Subway.

www.translink.ca/Schedules-and-Maps/Transit-Service-Changes.aspx

TransLink along with Provincial Government has change the plan with no service cuts or layoffs on May 18. I wonder when the previous cuts while come undone: 

www.translink.ca/About-Us/Media/2020/May/Province-and-TransLink-to-ensure-transit-service-in-place-to-support-BCs-Restart-Plan.aspx

[Neil]

When this is all over- and sometimes it seems unimaginable, but it will be, I imagine there will be some analysis of data on transit users, and their rate of Covid 19 infection, compared to non-users.

Intuitively, it just seems a given that transit use is risky these days. They might be blocking off half or more of the seats and not allowing standing, but people are still sitting in an enclosed environment, and holding on to stanchions as the enter and exit buses. I haven't heard if buses are being disinfected at all during the course of a day's service.

My younger daughter works retail, and rides a bus and skytrain every day she works. She didn't think it was safe to visit me over the last several weeks, but given the relatively flat infection rate, we're taking a chance this next week. So far, I haven't seen any data that ties transit use to infection, but I guess everyone using it, and everyone coming in contact with transit users, is taking a bit of a chance. Every time we go out in public these days, we're trying to balance a prudent regard for health risks with the need to carry on a semblance of a normal life.

[Blue Bus Fan]

TransLink has brought back normal service on buses over past the week.

We are no longer proceeding with the route suspensions that were planned to take effect on May 18. Instead, we will be restoring our bus service to bring it up to nearly 100% of pre-pandemic levels. We will continue to limit the seating on buses to promote physical distancing to ensure the safety of our customers and employees.

Bus Service Restoration:

On May 11, reinstated West Vancouver, Lions Bay and Bowen Island routes: 251, 252, 262, 280, 281, 282.

On May 14, reinstated routes: R3, 15, 50, 68, 105, 131, 132, 222, 414, N8, N15, N17, N22, N24, N35.

On May 16, reintroduced seasonal routes: 42, 150, 179. 

Continuing suspensions of some duplicated or university routes: 32, 125, 143, 258, 480.

Continuing to monitor ridership over the summer and to focus additional trips where needed.

[Blue Bus Fan]

TransLink plan for SkyTrain increase.

We are gradually adding service back to the Expo and Millennium Lines, bringing train frequency to the same as pre-pandemic levels by May 25. Service on the Canada Line will continue operating at nearly the same as pre-pandemic levels until further notice.

Expo and Millennium Line:

Starting May 14, gradually adding more full-length cars on the Expo Line.

On May 19, restoring service to 90% of pre-pandemic levels by increasing frequency during peak periods, middays, and early evenings.

By May 25, operating at 100% of pre-pandemic service levels.

Continuing to monitor ridership over the summer and adjust service levels if feasible.

Canada Line:

Continuing to operate at 92% of pre-pandemic service levels (18 trips per hour during peak periods).

Continuing to monitor ridership over the summer and adjust service levels if feasible.

[Blue Bus Fan]

TransLink has released COVID 19 riders guide:

new.translink.ca/rider-guide/coronavirus-precautions

[Blue Bus Fan]

TransLink has order 49 more ARBOC Spirit of Mobility. 4 are operated by West Vancouver Blue Bus and 45 are operated by Coast Mountain Bus Company out of Hamilton Transit Centre. I am posting this photo because this the first low floor community shuttle operated by CMBC and in revised bus livery with blue on top.

19523 by Blue Bus Fan, on Flickr

[Blue Bus Fan]

Over the past few month the Canada Line has get to new trains that similar to original trains on Canada Line. I am posting this photo because we don't have any new train photos. 


228 by Blue Bus Fan, on Flickr

[Jessica]

Last week, surprisingly a few Translink D40LFs returned into service. The first ones were 7439 and 7426. Since then 7443 and 7445 have also returned and there is a possibility that 2 more could return (probably 7406 and 7438). I think the reason why some D40LFs are returning into service is because beginning next week, Route 9 is going to be a diesel route and the 41 will be a trolley route. With that there wouldn't be enough diesel buses unless they brought some D40LFs back. I'm having a feeling that the D40LFs will be retired once they get the new order of 19 Artics later this year or early next year.

Attachments:

[Blue Bus Fan]

Bowen Island routes have temporary GPS units until June 30;

www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/transportation

I wonder if First Transit, private contract for some Community Shuttle routes, will be implementing T-Comm on there buses in the future.

[Blue Bus Fan]

Masks wearing now mandate on transit vehicles starting August 24:

www.translink.ca/About-Us/Media/2020/August/TransLink-implementing-mandatory-face-covering-policy.aspx

[Blue Bus Fan]

Kevin Desmond to leave as TransLink CEO in 2021:

dailyhive.com/vancouver/kevin-desmond-leaving-translink-ceo

[Blue Bus Fan]

TransLink has order 15 more Nova LSFe buses to full convert route 100 to an all electric route:

www.translink.ca/news/2021/january/translink%20expands%20battery-electric%20bus%20fleet

[Blue Bus Fan]

Capstan Station will start construction in August 2021:

dailyhive.com/vancouver/capstan-station-skytrain-canada-line-construction

[Blue Bus Fan]

TransLink will have an 100% air conditioned bus fleet by 2028:

dailyhive.com/vancouver/translink-air-conditioning-buses-new-fleet

[Blue Bus Fan]

Sneak peek at Mark V Expo and Millennium trains:

 buzzer.translink.ca/2021/11/take-a-sneak-peek-of-translinks-new-mark-v-skytrain/

[Blue Bus Fan]

TransLink for RapidBus has introduced a yet another articulated bus livery to fleet which takes standard livery but add greens to majority of body of New Flyer XDE60 with standard blue sweep near windows with dark grey around windows and blue and green on roof. I actually find this livery looks good on New Flyer XDE60. I am posting this photo because we don’t have photos of it.


19028 by Blue Bus Fan, on Flickr

[Blue Bus Fan]

TransLink is looking at upgrade some corridors to Bus Rapid Transit even some RapidBus corridors. The following corridors are:

1. Hasting Street will convert R5 to BRT. 
2. King George Boulevard, Newton Exchange to White Rock.
   
3. Langley to Haney Exchange. 
4. Lougheed Station will convert R3 to BRT. 
5. Lynn Valley to Downtown or Lonsdale Quay. 
6. Marine Drive Station to 22nd Street Station. 
7. Richmond Brighouse Station to Metrotown Station.
8. Newton Exchange to Scott Road Station will convert R6 to BRT.

The following three corridors could be any form of high capacity transit which are;

1. King George Station to Newton Exchange will be grade separated bus way, light rail or SkyTrain.
2. Burnaby Mountain a Gondola from Production Way-University to Simon Fraser University.
   
3. Metrotown to Park Royal.

Found here.

[Blue Bus Fan]

West Vancouver Blue Bus union has voted in favour of strike:

dailyhive.com/vancouver/west-vancouver-blue-bus-strike-july-2022