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Post by Mac Write on Jan 5, 2008 20:17:05 GMT -8
Starting January 7, Saltspring Island will have 4 bus routes servicing Ganges and all the major ferry terminals. bctransit.com/regions/ssi/ |
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Post by Balfour on Jan 6, 2008 22:06:25 GMT -8
This is a good thing. I'm pretty sure there a lot of car-less hippies over there that would like to have it.
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Post by Scott on Jan 6, 2008 22:42:11 GMT -8
This is great. This would be a reason I might choose to go to Saltspring for the day and take 3 different ferry routes. Anyone know if these are full sized buses? I'm thinking they will be very full when the ferry comes in.
Now you can take public transit from Vancouver all the way to Duncan and Chemainus. Too bad you still can't connect up to Nanaimo... probably a matter of time.
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Post by Taxman on Jan 6, 2008 22:50:35 GMT -8
Routes 2-4 are all VERY limited. It looks like they are doing all this with 2 busses/vans. I imagine these busses are like the smaller ones in Vancouver (the C20, C21 and C22 use this size).
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Post by ferryrider42 on Jan 6, 2008 22:55:07 GMT -8
Public transportation is always a good thing. Still, I’m surprise there hasn’t been loud public outcry from the island about this. One of the components that gives Salt-Spring its special ambiance is the hitch hiking. Granted, the limited number of trips suggested won’t initially change things drastically. However, in the future the frequency of service will inevitably increase; and increase again over time. Eventually, this will dramatically change islanders’ views on hitchhiking.
Hitchhiking is so common on the Island, people have likely developed a false sense of security about it. But still, I think it’s one of the things that make the islanders believe they all live in a small, safe neighborhood. Obviously, changing a single factor will do little overall harm. But gnaw away at enough little things and a culture will change.
Just to be clear, I’m a fan of public transportation. I’m just surprised to have not heard anyone yelling about the encroaching development.
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Post by Political Incorrectness on Jan 6, 2008 23:06:53 GMT -8
Finally, if I want to go into Ganges during the layover at Long Harbour, I don't have to hitchhike for a few hours!
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Post by kylefossett on Jan 7, 2008 6:55:20 GMT -8
These routes will be serviced by the smaller commuter buses. The company operating the transit services is the Ganges Faerie Shuttle service.
There was a bit of an uproar about this last summer. Property taxes are going up a little bit. They should also be providing routes to Fernwood and out Rainbow Road. There should also be later service to the ferrys on friday nights.
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Post by DENelson83 on Jan 7, 2008 16:10:39 GMT -8
Now you can take public transit from Vancouver all the way to Duncan and Chemainus. Too bad you still can't connect up to Nanaimo... probably a matter of time. I'm still waiting for the Comox Valley and Nanaimo Regional transit systems to connect, so I can take public transit all the way to Departure Bay.  |
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Post by Coastal Canuck on Jan 7, 2008 18:45:14 GMT -8
Now you can take public transit from Vancouver all the way to Duncan and Chemainus. Too bad you still can't connect up to Nanaimo... probably a matter of time. actually if you take the bus from Crofton to Chemainus you could take Greyhound up to Nanaimo |
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Post by corporalrabbinoff on Oct 15, 2008 19:11:17 GMT -8
Hear is a picture of #9289, The newest addition to the Nanaimo Transit fleet taken on Oct 15, 2008. This is the first unit in Nanaimo to have cameras installed onboard and its unique Livery makes it stand out in the system.  |
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Post by Mike C on Oct 15, 2008 19:54:42 GMT -8
9289 will soon be getting the blue & green stripes...
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Post by CN2972South on Oct 15, 2008 20:11:33 GMT -8
I don't know how many on here are guilty of it... Guilty as charged. If the railway thing didn't work out, I was going to drive a bus. At Swartz Bay. The bus was probably heading for Squamish.   |
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Post by Ferryman on Oct 15, 2008 21:09:09 GMT -8
You're probably right, bcrcndr. I think we have 3 of those running the route from here to Whistler. For the longest time when those buses were first bought here, they still had all the "Victoria Transit" logos and whatnot on them.
Incedently about a week ago, one of those buses crashed right near my house. The road he comes down, makes quite the swerve to the left, and then makes an immediate turn to the right on to the next street. Well my street just before the street he was suppost to turn on to. The bus driver thought my road was the road to go down, but realized at the last second he messed up, and by that time it was too late. He slammed the brakes to a stop, and started to reverse, and then backed it into the ditch. This made me late for work, because the tow truck blocked off the road in order for the bus to be pulled out. It was pretty entertaining to watch though.
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Post by Balfour on Oct 15, 2008 21:28:30 GMT -8
That Particular bus is a 1989 MCI Classic. Likely ex-Translink, judging from the roll signs and the black around the windows. I know Squamish and Whistler have a few of Translinks old coaches of that model.
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Post by corporalrabbinoff on Oct 16, 2008 12:03:12 GMT -8
They have been moving those Classics around alot latley. #8912 that bus shown at Swartz Bay had been in Nanaimo for a short time. We still have #8907 and #8914. As a matter of Fact I saw 8907 just yesturday several times.
I am glad to hear they are planing on puting on some colours on #9289. I am always looking to see whats new when I am out and about.
This is a list of coaches in NRTS as of now:
New Flyers:
-9718
-9724
-9725
-9727 through 9737
-9845 and 9846
-8087 through 8090
-8092
Novas
-9224 through 9228
-9260 through 9264
-9289 newest bus in fleet.
Denis Darts
-9083 and 9085
Orions
-600 and 601
GMC/MCI Classics
-8907 and 8914
Recent departures from NRTS to other communities:
-8091, 9723, 9726, 8026, 8027, 602 through 605, and 8912
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Post by Queen of Nanaimo Teen on Oct 16, 2008 16:47:48 GMT -8
I too have an interest in transit, but our transit system is pretty lame, and our fleet probably has about 15 buses in it!
However, as I was scrolling through this thread I saw the new bus that Nanaimo got. We too have gotten 1 of those. I'm pretty sure it is just the 1 we got.
Are they not going to paint those buses with the Expo 86 lines? It looks pretty plain right now!
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Post by Mike C on Oct 16, 2008 16:56:26 GMT -8
I too have an interest in transit, but our transit system is pretty lame, and our fleet probably has about 15 buses in it! However, as I was scrolling through this thread I saw the new bus that Nanaimo got. We too have gotten 1 of those. I'm pretty sure it is just the 1 we got. Are they not going to paint those buses with the Expo 86 lines? It looks pretty plain right now! It will be painted in this here scheme: www.flickr.com/photos/bctransit/2845360162/(photo by Graham Johnson, Retro) |
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Post by Mac Write on Oct 17, 2008 22:41:21 GMT -8
It just clicked, is it me or are those the official 2010 games colors and hence the ivory for anything transit, etc?
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Post by corporalrabbinoff on Dec 6, 2008 18:35:33 GMT -8
Earlier this afternoon I had a opportunity to snap this shot of #9288 at Woodgrove Mall. This is the only Unit in Nanaimo with the new Livery. #9289 remains without any livery.   |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Dec 21, 2008 19:45:21 GMT -8
(pardon the off-topic in this thread, for this one-off question) I'm a recent convert to using Transit buses in Nanaimo, during the snowy weather. But I'm a newbie, and I'd like to learn a bit about the various bus-brands, so that I can be a discerning-rider. ;D First question: - What are some easy ways to tell the difference between a Nova and a NewFlyer (besides the nameplate). Its in the face. Study the face, the headlight arrangements are different on a Nova than they are for a New Flyer. The front structure in terms of windshield is pretty much similar but there are differences. Second question: - If you are first-on a bus, what is your usual seat-of-choice? And how does your favourite seat location vary re whether the bus will be very-full, or moderately-full? Always a window seat. Usually towards the forward end the first row behind the handicapped seats. Even on Skytrain, a window seat, but snooz during the morning commute. But when I was aboard a Pacific Stages Bus for my solo trips to Comox as a 10 year old kid, I always sat in the first row or second from the front so I could see ahead. Third question: - re the rear exit door on a Nova: Do you touch the door-window to activate the opening? or does the driver automatically open the rear door? Pull the dingie cord. The driver will stop the bus, and just push on the verticle handle. The driver can open either door if he chooses to, and often does. Be sure to pull the cord after the bus has either stopped or gone by the bus stop before yours. Never have the bus stop at the last second. Be sure to know where you want to get off. There will be stickers on the door to show you how to work the door. If you exit from the front end, say "thank you" to the driver. They have to put up with a lot every day, and a simple courtesy makes a miserable day tolerable. And correct change or a FareCard, pleeez. Thanks for your info. The ferry nerd in me is wanting to learn about buses. Ooo boy, here we go..  For anyone else who wants to jump-in on this one, I had moved my original post to the other "reasons to take the bus" thread (also in the forward lounge page) sometime between when Paul started his response, and when he finished it... Also, if anyone wants to expound on his answers, please do, especially re the difference between the Nova and the NewFlyer, and how specifically they look different. |
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Post by chinook2 on Jan 4, 2009 5:13:45 GMT -8
If there are 35 people on the bus, and you are standing, it's a Nova.
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Post by Mike C on Jan 4, 2009 12:46:09 GMT -8
There's a few differences, here's some photos of Novas and New Flyers: [courtesy of Graham (indyinsane) on Flickr] Nova LFS, in the old BC Transit scheme (Victotria):  [my photo] New Scheme (Victoria):  Note: -headlight arrangement -more rounded-looking structure -Inside at the rear the seating arrangement is different. Also, the seats are considerably more comfortable than any other transit bus. [courtesy of Graham (indyinsane) on Flickr] 1991 New Flyer D40LF (Victoria):  Note: -Boxy-looking structure -Red line across top -Flip-dot destination sign (although several New Flyers in Nanaimo have the orange-LED signage) -Blue seating inside [my photo] UK Dennis Dart 35'  [my photo] UK Dennis Dart 30'  Note: -On the 30', there is no rear door. -Their uncomfortable seats -Their interior noise, similar to a 747 taking off |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jan 4, 2009 15:11:35 GMT -8
In my still-young transit-riding experience, I already prefer the Nova buses to the NewFlyers. I like the cloth seats, and I like the look of the windshield.
I've also noticed a demographic & busyness difference between morning commute and evening commute. Morning is much quieter with mainly adults going to work. Evening has a share of teens going to the mall, including the evil "cell phone girl" who needs to be talking on the phone in order to exist.
On my morning commute, I've gotten to know 2 regular riders and have enjoyed meeting familiar-strangers.
re the rear door: I prefer the Nova with the "touch the yellow bar" to open the rear door. I haven't figured out how to open the rear door on a NewFlyer (I guess it's driver controlled).
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Post by Mike C on Jan 4, 2009 15:14:03 GMT -8
re the rear door: I prefer the Nova with the "touch the yellow bar" to open the rear door. I haven't figured out how to open the rear door on a NewFlyer (I guess it's driver controlled). The rear door on New Flyer buses are typically operated by pushing the gray bar firmly when the green light above comes on. |
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Post by Ferryman on Jan 8, 2009 21:12:54 GMT -8
I don't know much about buses, other than how to pay the fare. But I've also become more than familiar with all 3 of Squamish's fleet of Dennis Dart Buses from my experiences of relying on the service before I recieved my drivers license.
With our buses, everything has stayed virtually the same, for the time that I've lived here. For the longest time until about later last year, the only schedule they had printed was one from about 2003. The next change appears to be a really big one, and it caught me right off guard...
I was driving home from work tonight, and was heading down a road that the buses normally take. I wasn't really paying much attention, and was in a bit of a daze while I was anxiously trying to get home from a stressful day of work. In the oncoming lane, I caught a glimpse of one of those brand new Nova buses driving by. My initial thought was, "Oh, there's a bus with that new colour scheme everyone has been talking about". But then it hit me, we finally have a brand new bus, and it's actually one that I actually have enjoyed riding in the past. But I also knew that Whistler is getting a bunch of brand new buses for the Olympics, and I just happened to catch a glimpse of a bunch of their retired buses all lined up at the transit bus depot here. So I'm hoping the Nova bus is for Squamish, and not just on trial runs before going up to Whistler. I don't know how many times I've watched those Dennis Dart buses get dragged around by a tow truck.
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