[twitchyzero]

there's so many anti-translink threads on RS..i decided to start a new one:concentrate:

i remember reading about an article last year about my particular route (49) being the least reliable one.

I found that article again but this time with a map and graph.

It's pretty cool..shows you which route and which stop has the most pass-by's.

TransLink bus routes with the most passups - Vancouver Sun (http://www.vancouversun.com/news/passuproutes.html)

Original article:

Documents reveal Coast Mountain buses passed by stops more than 200,000 times in 2010 (http://www.vancouversun.com/Documents+reveal+Coast+Mountain+buses+passed+stops +more+than+times+2010/4782562/story.html)

When I read “One day I was standing there for an hour and watched five buses go by,” he said. “It became so bad I was getting reprimanded at work for being late three or four times a week.”


I was like iknowthatfeelingbro.jpg :okay:

[Everymans]

so this is a thread to voice our complaints towards Translink?
-20 minutes waiting for a bus, all of a sudden 3 of them show up a minute apart.
-Advertising their stupid golden ears bridge. Who demanded that bridge when there's so many current bridges with major issues?
-Why the rejection of larger buses for the broadway corridor? It seems like the best idea until the skytrain line is built?
-Why aren't transfer stations set up so that all of the buses arrive and leave at the same time like a normal town?
-Skytrains stay open all weekend. Pull your head out of your asses translink.
-put full transportation maps on all major stops, aswell as scheduled arrival times for all stops.
-Bus lanes on a highway. All of my why.
-Stop bitching about your lack of funding, get your shit together and build those god damn turnstiles. And put the fares to better use. As far as I know, all of the bus fare goes to gasoline, yet half the buses and the skytrain are electric.

I mad.

[belaud]

I don't see why motorists have to pay for translink shit, thats the part which made me hella mad. I would use public transit maybe once or twice every half year, but that shouldn't justify me having to pay extra on gas because theres a "lack of funding".

(Its starting @ 2c/L, and gradually being raised to acommodate to their finances)

[yray]

^ because translink owns bridges and major roads that cross muni boundaries

and to support their taj mahal at metrotown aka translink HQ :troll:

[Gridlock]

My favorite.

The carbon tax is introduced to 'inspire' or more like 'coerce' people to use more transit or alternative transportation. Makes sense...gas is more expensive, thereby making transit 'seem' cheaper.

Then, they go and increase the fares.

Doesn't that negate the whole thing?
http://mulattodiaries.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/breaking-news.gif
This just in. Breaking news:It WAS a tax grab afterall.

You give these people more money, and they will certainly spend it.

[yray]

so this is a thread to voice our complaints towards Translink?
-20 minutes waiting for a bus, all of a sudden 3 of them show up a minute apart.

Bunching means there are too many buses on the road or bus drivers are waiting too long at the bus stops for load/unload. People need to take off their backpacks and GTF on/off ASAP. Bus bunching - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bus_bunching)


-Why the rejection of larger buses for the broadway corridor? It seems like the best idea until the skytrain line is built?

So you want a triple articulated bus on the road or a double decker articulated trolley bus :troll:

-Why aren't transfer stations set up so that all of the buses arrive and leave at the same time like a normal town?

that would just mean a clusterfuck during rush hour with people boarding and getting off at the same time.

-Bus lanes on a highway. All of my why.

Because idiots won't yield to a bus

-Stop bitching about your lack of funding, get your shit together and build those god damn turnstiles. And put the fares to better use. As far as I know, all of the bus fare goes to gasoline, yet half the buses and the skytrain are electric.

Never, because north american transit system :lawl:

I mad.

:ilied:

[gars]

Interesting thought about our bus system... think about how busy all the buses are that go to UBC/Langara/SFU, etc... now think about if all those students were now driving how much more congested our roads would be.

That and I hate people who bitch about our turnstiles. I don't think people realize how expensive such a system is costing us to design and implement; they don't realize that we actually won't be profiting from such a system because: a) there will always be fare evasion, whether it's using your friend's U Pass or people jumping turnstiles, and b) our fare evasion rate actually isn't as high as people think.

We need to enforce fines: in many countries in Europe, people caught with fare evasion will have to pay their fine on the spot. If you don't have cash, they will go with you to the ATM. If you're too broke to pay, you'll get arrested. That and their fines are more acceptable - like $50. Our fines here ($175) will only scare some people, but when newspapers publish stories about how our fines are never collected, people will stop paying.

[tonyzoomzoom]

We need to fire all the blood sucking executives and seniors managers in Translink. They don't give a fuck about transit riders, road users, etc. They don't give a fuck about whether they get additional funding or not. If they don't get the funds, they just cut services. The only thing they do care about is their own fucking salaries, bonuses, and pensions.

[shenmecar]

as my wise coworker said one say, ppl in management eventually get to a point of incompetence and only care about their salaries. So they hire ppl to so their jobs so they can continue to kiss the ass of the person above them. Now imagine the ppl they hired doing the same. damn. I'm pursuing the wrong career.

[bcrdukes]

We need to enforce fines: in many countries in Europe, people caught with fare evasion will have to pay their fine on the spot. If you don't have cash, they will go with you to the ATM. If you're too broke to pay, you'll get arrested. That and their fines are more acceptable - like $50. Our fines here ($175) will only scare some people, but when newspapers publish stories about how our fines are never collected, people will stop paying.

The best is when they humiliate and publicly shame you in front of everybody. Social justice. :fullofwin:

[Vansterdam]

i noticed alot more douchebags on the 99 b line than any other bus route

20 bus is never on time at night

translink is so unreliable when you really need it


packed buses like were all sardines lol


and who can forget " BACK DOOOOOOOOOOOOOR"

[Coren]

We need to enforce fines: in many countries in Europe, people caught with fare evasion will have to pay their fine on the spot. If you don't have cash, they will go with you to the ATM. If you're too broke to pay, you'll get arrested. That and their fines are more acceptable - like $50. Our fines here ($175) will only scare some people, but when newspapers publish stories about how our fines are never collected, people will stop paying.

The B.C. government introduced legislation today that will give TransLink the powers to go after fare evaders. Drivers with unpaid fines - both past and future -- will not be able to renew their licence or registration.

TransLink may also make use of collection agencies or can go to court to get at the assets of people who do not pay.

Get the rest of the story at
Free ride over for fare evaders as TransLink gets new powers (http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Free+ride+over+fare+evaders+TransLink+gets+powers/6580773/story.html#ixzz1uErKCYSu)

[Santofu]

There was one time I was stupid enough to wait for the bus near children's hospital nearly a hour and half in the rain, i was soaking wet... I got pass by at least 10 buses, I ain't kidding.
The route was #25 Brentwood, then i decided to walk home until i passed few bus stops and bus finally stopped and picked me up which it was near Canada Line...

Ditto about douchebags on #99 B-Line, bitches shoved me like I'm pathetic

[mb_]

Ditto about douchebags on #99 B-Line, bitches shoved me like I'm pathetic

Better call the RS Beatdown Crew since you're the leader now :troll:

[nns]

I'm trying to understand why there's transit security AND transit police.

[falcon]

so this is a thread to voice our complaints towards Translink?
-20 minutes waiting for a bus, all of a sudden 3 of them show up a minute apart.
-Advertising their stupid golden ears bridge. Who demanded that bridge when there's so many current bridges with major issues?
-Why the rejection of larger buses for the broadway corridor? It seems like the best idea until the skytrain line is built?
-Why aren't transfer stations set up so that all of the buses arrive and leave at the same time like a normal town?
-Skytrains stay open all weekend. Pull your head out of your asses translink.
-put full transportation maps on all major stops, aswell as scheduled arrival times for all stops.
-Bus lanes on a highway. All of my why.
-Stop bitching about your lack of funding, get your shit together and build those god damn turnstiles. And put the fares to better use. As far as I know, all of the bus fare goes to gasoline, yet half the buses and the skytrain are electric.

I mad.


Pretty much everything that is wrong with Translink at the moment. I fully agree with everything you said. Having experienced European transit, doing everything on your list would bring us up to at least the minimum standard of big city transit.

[JSALES]

I wonder how reliable our transportation is compared to other cities

[Ronin]

Can we talk about how awful bus drivers are? I was on a bus the other day when people were just falling out of their seats because our driver was speeding up so erratically and braking super hard at every light/stop. People that were SITTING were falling forward out of their seats. I'm not exaggerating...an old lady straight up felt out of her seat and into the aisle.

I used to get passed all the time when I went to UBC on the 480. I was the last stop out of Richmond so I was often passed by two, sometimes three full buses. Complaints went nowhere so today, I drive whenever possible. I'll vote against anything to do with public transit. Fuck 'em if they want us to save the environment or whatever when they can't even put a decent service in place...AND they want us to pay higher fares.

[noventa]

maybe we should start a protest.... or maybe a riot!!!

[BossFrancis]

Don't you hate drivers that are slow as fuck? Like they drive so slow that they have to stop at every red light and they're usually at the front of the lights. We want to get places ON time not a while after...But there are some drivers that are quite efficient and I thank them for that when I get off.

[nns]

Can we talk about how awful bus drivers are? I was on a bus the other day when people were just falling out of their seats because our driver was speeding up so erratically and braking super hard at every light/stop. People that were SITTING were falling forward out of their seats. I'm not exaggerating...an old lady straight up felt out of her seat and into the aisle.

I used to get passed all the time when I went to UBC on the 480. I was the last stop out of Richmond so I was often passed by two, sometimes three full buses. Complaints went nowhere so today, I drive whenever possible. I'll vote against anything to do with public transit. Fuck 'em if they want us to save the environment or whatever when they can't even put a decent service in place...AND they want us to pay higher fares.
Drive too fast.

Don't you hate drivers that are slow as fuck? Like they drive so slow that they have to stop at every red light and they're usually at the front of the lights. We want to get places ON time not a while after...But there are some drivers that are quite efficient and I thank them for that when I get off.
Drive too slow.

Can't win.

[46_valentinor]

^i don't think its because they were driving too fast, but they were driving in a "i don't give a fuck" attitude.

[Ronin]

It wasn't driving too fast...it was like he didn't understand the principle of acceleration and deceleration. Just STOMPED on the gas from a full stop and then lifted to coast...sending everyone back in their seats...then doesn't brake until SUPER LATE and throws people forward. It was one of the weirdest bus rides I've ever been on. I was SITTING DOWN and struggling to stay upright while watching everyone around me fall to the ground.

[drunkrussian]

some of these were mentioned but my least favorte things avout busses:
-bus coming regularly 7 mins before its supposed to. so u come 5 mins before it shud get there and still miss it and wait 20 mins like a jackass
-bus drivers speeding and braking hard as hell, causing me to fly across the damn thing
-as someone said busses not coming then suddenly two come at once lol
-bussing during fireworks time
-stupid fucking employees. while i suspect most bus drivers are good hard working people and most senior executives arent, my experience with the ones in between causes me to think theyre all idiots. i dealt with someome in hr and someone in pr and both were lazy fucks. it took almost 6 months for them to complete a one hour task related to a press release i was helping oversee

some weird stories:
-one time someonewas hanging onto a pole in the back of the bus and THE POLE BROKE. the person was like wtf and put it on the bus floor
-one time a dude fell asleep, head fell on the wire you pull for stop and broke the whole thing bus-wide rofl
-one time a hobo sprinted and ran face first into the aide of the bus window. awesome.

[iEatClams]

-stupid fucking employees. while i suspect most bus drivers are good hard working people and most senior executives arent, my experience with the ones in between causes me to think theyre all idiots. i dealt with someome in hr and someone in pr and both were lazy fucks. it took almost 6 months for them to complete a one hour task related to a press release i was helping oversee


don't even get me started on the back office people and the executives there.

Most people know that most bus drivers are hard working and have a difficult job and have to put up/deal with a lot of shiet. But the back office workers seem to have it super easy and dont do jack shiet.

The executives/managers are the worst, I tried to get info from one of them one time, and it just took forever, I understand they got other priorities and obligations, the task would take 20 minutes max, so I figure it would take a couple days max to get back to me. BUT NO! took like 7-8 Business days!! WTF! and these are the guys making $110,000 a year.

[pastarocket]

For all the reasons mentioned in this period, that's why I stopped taking transit, PERIOD, and drive from point A to B.

[Vansterdam]

translink buses are only good if you live in the vancouver area

and even then it still sucks

[twitchyzero]

That and I hate people who bitch about our turnstiles. I don't think people realize how expensive such a system is costing us to design and implement; they don't realize that we actually won't be profiting from such a system because: a) there will always be fare evasion, whether it's using your friend's U Pass or people jumping turnstiles, and b) our fare evasion rate actually isn't as high as people think.


a quick search says fare evasion was 4 million in 2005..roughly 5% of revenues lost.

I'm not sure if that # has gone up or down...but to invest $100 million in turnstyles seems ridiculous. Then again, how are other cities able to finance them? I always thought proof-of-payment was bullshit so they should've put the turnstyles in from the get-go. The skytrain will still probably be just as dirty and smelly though :suspicious:

In all fairness, I have to say they've increased service in my area (vancouver proper)...but yeah...took long enough.

[sulos]

The B.C. government introduced legislation today that will give TransLink the powers to go after fare evaders. Drivers with unpaid fines - both past and future -- will not be able to renew their licence or registration.

TransLink may also make use of collection agencies or can go to court to get at the assets of people who do not pay.

Get the rest of the story at
Free ride over for fare evaders as TransLink gets new powers (http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Free+ride+over+fare+evaders+TransLink+gets+powers/6580773/story.html#ixzz1uErKCYSu)

LOL drivers who do not pay??? WTH punish us some more will you? What about the people who only take transit????

[orgasm_donor]

Twitter your beef @translink. You may be surprised at their responses. And you may actually change their ways slowly but surely. You have to speak out though 'cause nothing's gonna happen if you just sit there.

[twitchyzero]

We need to fire all the blood sucking executives and seniors managers in Translink. They don't give a fuck about transit riders, road users, etc. They don't give a fuck about whether they get additional funding or not. If they don't get the funds, they just cut services. The only thing they do care about is their own fucking salaries, bonuses, and pensions.


Twitter your beef @translink. You may be surprised at their responses. And you may actually change their ways slowly but surely. You have to speak out though 'cause nothing's gonna happen if you just sit there.

perhaps make the transit execs take the bus/skytrain/seabus for a full month of each year and our improvements will come a lot faster.

preferably during the rainy-est month or when it snows :ilied:

like that show on CBC when they get politicians to do cityworker's job for a day..but only a lot longer :ilied::ilied:

[ImportPsycho]

That and I hate people who bitch about our turnstiles. I don't think people realize how expensive such a system is costing us to design and implement; they don't realize that we actually won't be profiting from such a system because: a) there will always be fare evasion, whether it's using your friend's U Pass or people jumping turnstiles, and b) our fare evasion rate actually isn't as high as people think.


I have never seen a station with no turnstiles anywhere else
when I moved to vancouver from toronto, I thought skytrain was FREE!! :awwyeah:

[Splmash]

I have no beef with Translink. I own my own car but I take the 135 up to SFU 75% of the time. It has been fairly reliable, considering I live a couple minutes from the 135 stop on Hastings.

[Mr.HappySilp]

LOL took the 123 home today. The bus display was showing "Not in Service" but stop and let ppl in and the drivers said is the 123 bus. LOL the bus driver was too lazy to change the sign on the bus...........

[belaud]

Translink is complete garbage in comparison to Hong Kong transit, where the city was built AROUND the public transit, instead of us building ON TOP of the city infrastructure. I'm fairly certain everyone remembers how no.3 rd had the exclusive bus lanes in construction for god knows how long, had it running for 3 months, before they tore it right down again for the sky train.

[yray]

You do realize that Hong Kong was forced to build around transit (in the newer parts)/ transit build underneath (old parts) versus Vancouver where suburbanization took place after World War II with baby boomers (one family/one house mentality). Hong Kong had transit problems all over before the Government forced in the MTR, even back then MTR faced budget troubles similar to Translink because of competition. No one wanted to go down 4/5 stories to take MTR when the Trams and buses operated at similar travel times.

If you don't remember, the 98 took almost 1.25-1.5 hours to go to downtown during rush hour. Even with feeder lines such as 491/492 the buses were still packed to the gills. Packed buses means bunching effect and skipping stops. People are complaining how it's a gong show during weekend afternoons, it was a gongshow even back when there was 6 lanes on No3 rd. Most transit orientated cities involve hubs and central arteries similar to what we have today with the Canada line. Problem with Vancouver is that buses often go east west/ north south leaving one transfer point to an central artery so buses like 41/49 are skipping stops all the time.

Vancouver one time had one of the best transit systems. The trolley and interurban had lines from BCE station (hastings and carall) to every where in the lower mainland. DT to Chilliwack took only 1.5 hrs and delivered fresh produce/milk to Hotel Vancouver and such. Most of the bus trolley wires are legacies of the trolley system. Too bad it was abandoned in the late 60s when GM heavily subsidized diesel buses to North American Transit markets forcing many cities to switch over to bus/car based cities.


Have anyone noticed but many Vancouverites find it offensive to be in a packed train or bus. It seems that alot of people don't bother to fill in empty spaces whether it be on the road or on public transit.

[wstce92]

don't even get me started on the back office people and the executives there.

Most people know that most bus drivers are hard working and have a difficult job and have to put up/deal with a lot of shiet. But the back office workers seem to have it super easy and dont do jack shiet.

The executives/managers are the worst, I tried to get info from one of them one time, and it just took forever, I understand they got other priorities and obligations, the task would take 20 minutes max, so I figure it would take a couple days max to get back to me. BUT NO! took like 7-8 Business days!! WTF! and these are the guys making $110,000 a year.

:fulloffuck: <- ALL your posts

What job is there where you don't have to put up with shit?
YOU try being a executive/manager.
I personally feel they get overpaid, but guess what, bus drivers are JUST as criminally overpaid. And guess what, their job requires WAY more intelligence and accountability.

Run a province wide transit system and you're pissed they didn't drop everything they were doing to cater to a request by a insignificant fly?

Why don't you send Jim Pattison a fruit basket then bitch that you don't get a thank-you card.

[Tapioca]

I don't mind riding the bus; I just can't stand the people who ride it with me.

[GLOW]

if i have to take transit i try to take the skytrain and avoid the bus. too many bus drivers with a horrible attitude and talk to you like an ass.

[FerrariEnzo]

the only thing good about translink...

SKYTRAINS.... on time and no idiot drivers....

[Great68]

You can't compare the transit systems of cities with 10x+ the population to Vancouver.

[Gh0stRider]

the translink twitter is pretty helpful. they respond to you unlike some other organizations

[Tapioca]

People always point to high salaries of managers as the main source of an organization's ills. If only we could pay them 60K/year and fire the lot of them except maybe a couple who need to make decisions, the things could get done - so the logic goes.

While there is definitely some excess fat that should be cut, salaries of white collar people in the organization are but a minor problem. Ultimately, we get the service we deserve because:
1. We refuse to pay more taxes to support expansions
2. When the decision to expand is supported, we have groups who fight against it because such expansions would change the character of their neighbourhood
3. We have elected municipal and provincial governments which have manipulated and obstructed transit expansions for their own narrow interests.

[Gridlock]

People always point to high salaries of managers as the main source of an organization's ills. If only we could pay them 60K/year and fire the lot of them except maybe a couple who need to make decisions, the things could get done - so the logic goes.

While there is definitely some excess fat that should be cut, salaries of white collar people in the organization are but a minor problem. Ultimately, we get the service we deserve because:
1. We refuse to pay more taxes to support expansions
2. When the decision to expand is supported, we have groups who fight against it because such expansions would change the character of their neighbourhood
3. We have elected municipal and provincial governments which have manipulated and obstructed transit expansions for their own narrow interests.

Let's blow that up and have it encompass every political problem faced by all politicians.

1. taxes. You can go to 100% taxing, and its still not enough. I view controlling spending as the top priority for all politicians. I see controlling spending as a low priority from most politicians.

2. NIMBY is a problem for anything you want to do. Fact of life. If its in the best interest of a large group of people, it goes through. If they resist enough, it fails.

3. We're along for the ride man. Even if you don't actively look for ways to suit your own personal agenda, its not in human nature to put policies in place that have a negative effect on you personally. ie. minimum tax in the US for 1mill+ income earners, also known as "congressmen"

So for translink, yeah, we could through all kinds of money at the problem, as they have tried numerous times. Fuck, raise taxes, and parking fees and user fees and such, but there is no, NO responsibility to a bottom line. Even after doing all that, they will STILL be in a financial bind.

So I say stop it now.

2. There isn't much to say about this. People are passionate about their homes. Always have been, always will be.

3. Everyone wants something named after them. When's the last time a politician went down in history for being that guy that spent less?

[Great68]

I think transit is decent if you're travelling to downtown & back.

When I worked downtown, I found the old 98B-Line was pretty good. I lived around #3 & Williams so if I timed it right I could be the first person on the B-Line as it made it's way out of the steveston yard and up 3 road.

I agree that it sucks if you need to go anywhere else though, which is why when I was going to BCIT I just drove. None of the transit routes were really viable. No Canada Line at the time, meant a 4 hour round trip.

[RFlush]

I used to always drive everywhere I went, even if it was to my elementary school to vote, I would drive the 2 mins because I was super lazy. Then I had to get rid of my car and take transit everywhere. I lived in Richmond and took public transit to SFU everyday and back. It took anywhere from 1.5-2 hours (I slept most of the time except when transferring).

It's not that bad if you are open minded. The problem is, Vancouver youths are too accustomed to driving or being driven. Most parents have a car, so even at a young age not many people get exposed to buses or skytrains except for the odd time here and there. It's because of this, ridership is low. People prefer cars, even if they can't afford it, they take out massive loans while working part time jobs just to have a car. It's not their fault, its just the culture and the peer pressure of owning a car.

But the system isn't too bad, and if one day the mentality of Vancouverites can change in when they don't mind taking transit for longer than 30 mins, and cars become more expensive along with oil, then maybe the system can improve.

Also, comparing HK transit to Vancouver transit is the most retarded thing ever.

[InvisibleSoul]

I hate the people who refuse to move to the back of the bus, even after repeated requests. They clog up the front and middle of the bus, while the back is completely empty, sometimes even preventing the bus from picking up more passengers because of it.

I blame the bunching up of buses partly on the passengers as well. Even when they see a second bus is directly behind, they still pile onto the front bus, thus making the front bus further behind schedule.

[Tapioca]

So for translink, yeah, we could through all kinds of money at the problem, as they have tried numerous times. Fuck, raise taxes, and parking fees and user fees and such, but there is no, NO responsibility to a bottom line. Even after doing all that, they will STILL be in a financial bind.

So I say stop it now.

2. There isn't much to say about this. People are passionate about their homes. Always have been, always will be.



I would challenge you to think about how you manage your own finances.

If you're short on revenue, you can cut back on certain things for a while and perhaps make substitutions. But after a while, cutting back takes a toll and cutting back may have an impact on your mental and physical well-being - you eat food that is less healthy, you can't go out with friends, you can't take courses, etc. Eventually you do something about it - you either get a better paying job, sell off assets, move out of the city with a lower cost of living, etc.

The issue I have is that there is little debate about what type of transit system people actually want. Like in life, you have to make choices - you can't have your cake and eat it too. People whine and complain, but don't actually think of solutions aside from "cut management" or more "accountability." What does "accountability" actually mean? Translink can't actually run a deficit unlike our elected governments.

[Everymans]

Why all the hate for bus drivers? Bus drivers have a pretty stressful job and they earn their pay.
1.An average bus is roughly the same width and size as an 18 wheeler. Just as difficult to turn and drive as well.
2.Bus drivers have to deal with their routes being blocked by accidents, trying to change lanes when people don't care, and squeezing into tight spots and turning corners. All of which can take some skill as a driver to pull off without ddestruction.
3.They have to deal with all sorts of annoying customers. Drunks, vandals, fist fights, verbal fights, technical issues etc..
4.I'm not sure if the drivers drive the same route all day but if they do I'd imagine it would get really boring and tiresome seeing the same street over and over. I drive along marine almost every day and It's always such a boring trip. If I had to drive along that stretch for 8 hours I'd be bored senseless.
I have a lot of respect for bus drivers and I've rarely encountered a shitty or annoying one. Although the speed up then slam on the brakes method is really dangerous for the passengers.

[dat_steve]

^ i agree that there are some unfair comments about bus drivers sometimes but fact is: it is their job to drive, and to drive well. if they can't handle that then they shouldn't be bus drivers. truckers are paid to drive their trucks well/safely, if they can't, they get fired. likewise, there shouldn't be any concessions given to a bus driver that can't operate a bus properly.

[RacingMetro92]

I hate the people who refuse to move to the back of the bus, even after repeated requests. They clog up the front and middle of the bus, while the back is completely empty, sometimes even preventing the bus from picking up more passengers because of it.

THIS. Some people act as if there's a freaking barrier where the step to go up to the back is. When a bus goes by me and I see that the area past the step still has standing room... :rukidding:

[Vansterdam]

i been on buses a few occasions where it is so packed that im literally standing right beside the bus driver / front windshield / door which is preety cool because usually your suppose to be behind the red line behind the driver and the bus driver obviously is trying to fit as much people as he can

i've also encountered many dick drivers as well who pass you when the bus dosent even look as-full

cant let a few bad bunch ruin it for all of em

translink still sucks.

[CL typeS]

We need to fire all the blood sucking executives and seniors managers in Translink. They don't give a fuck about transit riders, road users, etc. They don't give a fuck about whether they get additional funding or not. If they don't get the funds, they just cut services. The only thing they do care about is their own fucking salaries, bonuses, and pensions.

didnt browse through the whole thread to see if this was posted, but check this out. I remember seeing this on the news and i was pissed:mad:

As transit fares jump, so do TransLink salaries | CTV British Columbia (http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20081114/BC_translink_pay_081114?hub=BritishColumbiaHome)

[twitchyzero]

^ 77% salary increase over a year :fulloffuck:

Why all the hate for bus drivers? Bus drivers have a pretty stressful job and they earn their pay.
1.An average bus is roughly the same width and size as an 18 wheeler. Just as difficult to turn and drive as well.
2.Bus drivers have to deal with their routes being blocked by accidents, trying to change lanes when people don't care, and squeezing into tight spots and turning corners. All of which can take some skill as a driver to pull off without ddestruction.
3.They have to deal with all sorts of annoying customers. Drunks, vandals, fist fights, verbal fights, technical issues etc..
4.I'm not sure if the drivers drive the same route all day but if they do I'd imagine it would get really boring and tiresome seeing the same street over and over. I drive along marine almost every day and It's always such a boring trip. If I had to drive along that stretch for 8 hours I'd be bored senseless.
I have a lot of respect for bus drivers and I've rarely encountered a shitty or annoying one. Although the speed up then slam on the brakes method is really dangerous for the passengers.

i agree with the first 3 points, it's no easy job..but point 4...i mean c'mon..drivers know what they signed up for...just because your job is mundane doesn't mean you can treat riders with little respect. Most drivers I've encountered are nice, but the ones that have attitude ruins your day.

[GGnoRE]

Its usually the bus drivers driving the B-lines that are cranky or pissed (i.e. 99B).

All of the C-# shuttle drivers that I've encountered in my town were friendly and nice.

[GLOW]

Its usually the bus drivers driving the B-lines that are cranky or pissed (i.e. 99B).


THIS

[A$AProcky]

didnt browse through the whole thread to see if this was posted, but check this out. I remember seeing this on the news and i was pissed:mad:

As transit fares jump, so do TransLink salaries | CTV British Columbia (http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20081114/BC_translink_pay_081114?hub=BritishColumbiaHome)

Wait so even though I dont EVER use translink money comes out of my pocket at the pump, and riders have to pay higher fares because they lack "funding" and these douches get a 77%, 91%, and a 100% increase in salary? WHAT THE FUCK. Why does this bitch even deserve almost $400,000 a year I'm so mad right now

[rsx]

I always yield to bus drivers when they're pulling out, sometimes even braking a bit harder so they can get into my lane. The one fucking time, I needed to switch to a bus' lane, this bus driver blasts his horn and shakes his fist at me. Bus 401. :wtf

[Spoon]

The skytrain really needs to look at how the interior of HK's MTRs are designed.

1) instead of two seats on a side, use more benches. it's easier to get in and out (especially when you're taking the inside seat) and you can fit more people.

2) stainless steel instead of fabric seats so when the local bum goes on transit, the smell/stains etc. doesn't get attached. way easier to clean too.

[Geoc]

I don't understand, how can privatized corporation like Translink be given the authority of the government? (taxing us)

Since this is the case why isn't there a third party auditing the shit out of them??

[Vansterdam]

how about extended skytrain hours?

skytrain ending at 130am is a joke

and you expect people not to drink and drive lawlz

[westopher]

honestly the whole sky train debate could solve so many problems. It would also help with the population density as with my job (often getting off of work at 130 or 2am) and so many others in the same boat could actually work downtown and still live in burnaby or really anywhere along any of the sky train lines. Obviously it would help with drunk driving. The added stress of figuring that out though would mean the translink execs would need a 240% salary increase and then it would cost more money for gas.:suspicious:

[tgill]

The skytrain really needs to look at how the interior of HK's MTRs are designed.

1) instead of two seats on a side, use more benches. it's easier to get in and out (especially when you're taking the inside seat) and you can fit more people.

2) stainless steel instead of fabric seats so when the local bum goes on transit, the smell/stains etc. doesn't get attached. way easier to clean too.
There is a reason the MK1 cars have benches, and the MK2 and MK2.5 Skytrain/Rotem Canada Line cars don't, people in North America, in general, get extremely uncomfortable having to look at other strangers.

[Jassanova]

how about extended skytrain hours?

skytrain ending at 130am is a joke

and you expect people not to drink and drive lawlz

Yeah this is my only gripe about the skytrain. I take the Canada line in to work everyday and its a great system, the only thing that annoys me is having to make sure if I'm out late one night, that I'm back before 1:17 or whatever the last train is.

[Gt-R R34]

Yeah this is my only gripe about the skytrain. I take the Canada line in to work everyday and its a great system, the only thing that annoys me is having to make sure if I'm out late one night, that I'm back before 1:17 or whatever the last train is.

A lot of places in the world closes around that time.

What Vancouver problems is AFTER that fact, our taxi system and bus system afterwards is utterly completely retarded.

Plus other places in the world on holidays that know parties are gonna happen extend the hours to 3-4am or some places even 24 (HKG comes to mind), where Vancouver goes to like 2am MAX.

But more then anything, it's our taxi/bus system it's terrible for parties. Where as if I went to NYC, taxies - no problem, HKG? No problem, London (even at stupid prices) no problem.

Vancouver - call *taxi and wait 3 days, it will show up or look for one on the street. Try 2 hours.

[willystyle]

Due to maintenance reasons, the skytrain can never be extended past 2AM. They should've thought of that when they built this system in the 80's. Now it's biting us in the ass because our options are limited.

[Purely]

I really hate taking the 20 bus sometimes. The delays for this bus just happens WAY too often. They are always behind schedule, and either two, three, or even four buses come at a time :rukidding:.

[nns]

I don't understand, how can privatized corporation like Translink be given the authority of the government? (taxing us)

Since this is the case why isn't there a third party auditing the shit out of them??

I don't think Translink is entirely a private organization. Where it begins and ends is something I would be interested to know as well.

[gars]

A lot of places in the world closes around that time.

What Vancouver problems is AFTER that fact, our taxi system and bus system afterwards is utterly completely retarded.

Plus other places in the world on holidays that know parties are gonna happen extend the hours to 3-4am or some places even 24 (HKG comes to mind), where Vancouver goes to like 2am MAX.

But more then anything, it's our taxi/bus system it's terrible for parties. Where as if I went to NYC, taxies - no problem, HKG? No problem, London (even at stupid prices) no problem.

Vancouver - call *taxi and wait 3 days, it will show up or look for one on the street. Try 2 hours.

In a way, I actually feel bad for taxi drivers. Our city is so much of a driver's city that not many people take taxis during the day. Our airport is situated quite central as well, and now that the Canada Line has been built, far less people take the taxi to and from the airport.

I talked to a taxi driver the other night, and he told me that he used to get the vast majority of his income from rides to and from the Airport. Now he has to rely on a few hours a night on Fri/Sat to try to make up for it. People wonder why we don't have more taxis, it's because it's so hard to make a living being a taxi driver here.

That said, I still curse at them on the road when they do all the dumb shit they do.

[Vansterdam]

http://thisisourstop.com/

just saw this site on the news

you enter your bus stop number and write/see what other people have to say about that stop

[Gridlock]

I don't think Translink is entirely a private organization. Where it begins and ends is something I would be interested to know as well.

It's a public organization.

TransLink (British Columbia) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TransLink_(British_Columbia)#Governance)

Mayors’ Council
The Mayors’ Council is composed of the 21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities, who represent the interests of citizens of the region. The Mayors’ Council appoints the Board of Directors for TransLink and the Regional Transportation Commissioner. It approves plans prepared by TransLink, including the transportation plan, regional funding, and borrowing limits.

TransLink Board of Directors
The TransLink board is made up of individuals selected based on their skills and expertise, who must act in the best interests of TransLink. They do not represent any other interests or constituencies. They are responsible for hiring, compensating, and monitoring the performance of the CEO and for providing oversight of TransLink’s strategic planning, finances, major capital projects, and operations.

Board members are in three groups, serving one-, two-, and three-year terms.

So its accountable to the people very indirectly through your mayor.

Before the re-org in '07 it was more directly run by the mayors themselves.

[Tapioca]

The people who whine about how Translink isn't providing 5 minute service at 3 in the morning are somewhat narrow.

The 20-somethings who hit the Granville Strip are a fairly small percentage of Translink's overall ridership that it doesn't make sense, from a business perspective, to have the same levels of service during the wee hours of the morning as in the day. Now, if bar and restaurant owners started complaining about a lack of business as a result of poor transit service, then something at the political level would be done, but as far as I can see, the bar and restaurant owners downtown seem to be doing enough business with the current level of service.

Besides, I'm sure that the residents in the downtown core don't need more trash to start fights, throw up and piss in alleys, and leave cigarette butts and gum on the street.

[Death2Theft]

Thats what happens when you have too much government and they chose to "selectively" enforce their powers.
I don't understand, how can privatized corporation like Translink be given the authority of the government? (taxing us)

Since this is the case why isn't there a third party auditing the shit out of them??

[yray]

Due to maintenance reasons, the skytrain can never be extended past 2AM. They should've thought of that when they built this system in the 80's. Now it's biting us in the ass because our options are limited.

Noise, those linear induction motors can sure piss off a lot of people. I am sure they can run 24/7 albeit limited capacity for maintenance purposes. Back in the 80s, skytrain was a balling system with no drivers, it operates on principles similar to maglev, except instead of floating it uses the middle rail and current to drag the train across the track. This gives the benefit of a driver less system but at a cost of increase maintenance. I believe the old lines use AC power. Canada line uses a regular DC since Automatic train systems are more compact and doesn't require a mainframe computer.

There is a reason the MK1 cars have benches, and the MK2 and MK2.5 Skytrain/Rotem Canada Line cars don't, people in North America, in general, get extremely uncomfortable having to look at other strangers.

Tell that to BART and MTA :fullofwin:.

[Everymans]

In a way, I actually feel bad for taxi drivers. Our city is so much of a driver's city that not many people take taxis during the day. Our airport is situated quite central as well, and now that the Canada Line has been built, far less people take the taxi to and from the airport.

I talked to a taxi driver the other night, and he told me that he used to get the vast majority of his income from rides to and from the Airport. Now he has to rely on a few hours a night on Fri/Sat to try to make up for it. People wonder why we don't have more taxis, it's because it's so hard to make a living being a taxi driver here.

That said, I still curse at them on the road when they do all the dumb shit they do.
I accidently went to the cab area at the airport because I was trying to deliver a package to the wrong address. It's like a parking lot full of cabbies smoking, playing checkers, and reading foreign language magazines. The phone to contact the dispatcher had 3 different languages on it. And English was the most difficult one to make out for some reason.

The only time I've taken a cab from the airport is when I blacked out on the skytrain and ended up at the airport and for some odd reason told the security that I wanted to stay there. Woke up and it was like 3 a.m. 40$ cab ride home. Never taking 12 free shots ever again.

[lgman]

:fullofwin:

[Tapioca]

Noise, those linear induction motors can sure piss off a lot of people. I am sure they can run 24/7 albeit limited capacity for maintenance purposes. Back in the 80s, skytrain was a balling system with no drivers, it operates on principles similar to maglev, except instead of floating it uses the middle rail and current to drag the train across the track. This gives the benefit of a driver less system but at a cost of increase maintenance. I believe the old lines use AC power. Canada line uses a regular DC since Automatic train systems are more compact and doesn't require a mainframe computer.


I'm glad that Skytrain runs on linear induction technology. It's results in faster speeds and arguably less noise, particularly as the trains take turns. I think as the Canada Line ages, we'll see the flaws in the conventional technology much sooner.

[yray]

I'm glad that Skytrain runs on linear induction technology. It's results in faster speeds and arguably less noise, particularly as the trains take turns. I think as the Canada Line ages, we'll see the flaws in the conventional technology much sooner.


Both systems have similar speeds, it's track design limitations that are slowing them down. There is nothing special about skytrain anymore, many urban cities have adopted ATC within their regular metro trains and operate at equal capacity as skytrain.

Are you talking about the part between King ed and oakridge. Any type of train will scream when you have them turn at 50* S turns. They should've just gone under QE park instead of cut and cover.

DC motors are used everywhere, it isn't something new or special. But noise wise, VVVF would be the best. :fullofwin:

[Gridlock]

Boom. Here's a big design flaw in the system.

Global BC | Transit Police overtime expense double that of VPD (http://www.globaltvbc.com/transit+police+overtime+expense+double+that+of+vpd/6442641655/story.html)

OH....and we are paying them all that to write tickets that are worthless....Go BC Go!

[murmur]

waiting for the 410 bus now
it says it will arrive at 11:15am
it didnt come.
it says the next bus is 11:27am
i hope the next bus would arrive earlier than that,
but knowing translink, that will never happen.

[GGnoRE]

^ I hate when it just skips one schedule for no reason

[GLOW]

maybe the bus driver went to go get a coffee and they had a really long line up. seen that done before.

[pinn3r]

^ I hate when it just skips one schedule for no reason

even worse .. when it arrives in groups of 2-3 after it's late as fuck on schedule
like they're trying to fuck with you
makes me feel like kicking a puppy

[seakrait]

Boom. Here's a big design flaw in the system.

Global BC | Transit Police overtime expense double that of VPD (http://www.globaltvbc.com/transit+police+overtime+expense+double+that+of+vpd/6442641655/story.html)

OH....and we are paying them all that to write tickets that are worthless....Go BC Go!

Interesting audit of Transit Police by the VPD. http://www.transitpolice.bc.ca/en/About-Us/News-and-Events/2012/May/~/media/F407BF4E21204FB2ABAC1CA350317AC3.ashx

[twitchyzero]

when i read the headlines today iw as like...'hmm maybe audit should extend to your upper salaries when considering efficiency' :lawl:

B.C. auditors to examine TransLink for more cost savings (http://www.vancouversun.com/news/auditors+examine+TransLink+more+cost+savings/6640934/story.html)

[Cillu]

even worse .. when it arrives in groups of 2-3 after it's late as fuck on schedule
like they're trying to fuck with you
makes me feel like kicking a puppy

Yeah dude. Was up at SFU one night and it said the bus would come at 10:05, didn't come. Next one was at 10:35 and it finally came and 10:43. I waited almost 45 minutes.

[El Bastardo]

Karm who runs the @VancityBuzz Twitter account has preached more than once that Translink needs to run Skytrain lines to UBC instead of running the Evergreen Line out to Coquitlam.

Hes an idiot and lost me as a follower after that.

[Everymans]

related story:
Walking down main street yesterday. Around 8th street there was a car trying to turn left, it blocked two lanes of traffic and partially blocked the bus lane. An accordion bus comes along and tries to sneak by. It rubs on the curb and takes off a massive chunk of it and particles or cement go everywhere, hitting me in the throat and spraying a cyclist beside me. It also scrapped a parking sign. Wonder how often buses rip down those signs or break trees because of that tight squeeze.

[wahyinghung]

More than $500,000 was spent on special televisions at five SkyTrain stations — but most of the screens don’t even work, according to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.

Jordan Bateman, B.C. director of the federation, said Tuesday that a Freedom of Information request to TransLink indicated the cost of the screens and their installation in 2009 was $523,444.

The bulk of the money, $393,032, came from a federal grant to improve transit security.

While installation and power was part of the program, the funding works out to more than $40,000 per screen.

The screens in question are not the monitors that show news blurbs, weather and the time of day on SkyTrain platforms. Instead, the Station Entrance Emergency Information Panels [SEEIP] were intended to replace sandwich boards used to communicate information to commuters when the SkyTrain gates were locked during emergencies.

But when Bateman did a tour of the five stations last week, only four of the 13 screens were operating — all at Stadium Station.

Screens that were supposed to be at Scott Road, Edmonds and Commercial-Broadway were no longer apparent and the ones at Lougheed Town Centre were not working.

“The bottom line here is half a million bucks on something like this when they’re raising all their fees and taxes, when there are real security concerns on buses and other things, it doesn’t make any sense,” said Bateman.

Among the FOI details were that further spending on screens is being deferred to 2013. Bateman would prefer something else.

“I don’t want to see them spend any more money on this,” he said.

TransLink issued a statement later Tuesday that indicated six of the screens were operational.

Jason Martin, a spokesperson for Translink, said the cost is not in the screens, it’s in the surrounding parts.

“It’s the installation, it’s the infrastructure that was put in place - environmental closures, computers, servers, software,” Martin said.

“Really, it’s technology, it’s not screens. The screens are probably the least expensive part.”

The system, however, is currently under review.

Read more: TransLink spent over $500,000 on faulty SkyTrain info screens, says CTF (http://www.theprovince.com/news/TransLink+spent+over+faulty+SkyTrain+info+screens+ says/6735215/story.html#ixzz1x0CfdZ3m)

[Gridlock]

Karm who runs the @VancityBuzz Twitter account has preached more than once that Translink needs to run Skytrain lines to UBC instead of running the Evergreen Line out to Coquitlam.

Hes an idiot and lost me as a follower after that.

I agree. I want neither right now.

[RacingMetro92]

I agree. I want neither right now.

Karm who runs the @VancityBuzz Twitter account has preached more than once that Translink needs to run Skytrain lines to UBC instead of running the Evergreen Line out to Coquitlam.

Hes an idiot and lost me as a follower after that.

I don't mean to disrespect the Coquitlam folk, but is the 97 B-line really that bad that a Skytrain is needed? Hypothetically speaking would everyone prefer that instead of using money on the Evergreen line, that Translink spend that money on extending service hours to run late or 24 hours?

[Mr.HappySilp]

I agree. I want neither right now.

Agreed! As a business you don't keep throwing money down the ocean till you know why you are losing money. Building more skytrains won't fix the issue.

During rush hours literally ppl have to wait 3 or more trains to get on.... now image they push more ppl from Coq into the system.......

Fix your current system first then worry about expanding......

[BossFrancis]

WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED TODAY?
Chemistry final started 15 minute ago, waiting an hour for the 135 and still going

[Cr33pUh]

I don't mean to disrespect the Coquitlam folk, but is the 97 B-line really that bad that a Skytrain is needed? Hypothetically speaking would everyone prefer that instead of using money on the Evergreen line, that Translink spend that money on extending service hours to run late or 24 hours?

In my Coq area, the nearest bus stop comes either in the morning (7-9ish) or in the evening(4-6) every half hour weekdays only. Basically the time people go to work and off work. Now, if I was to go out between those times, I'd have to walk 15-20 minutes to the nearest bus stop, which comes every 20 ish minutes, that takes 10 minutes to go to Coq center, or 20 minutes that go to Lougheed mall (skytrain station). Essentially from my house to Lougheed station (40 minutes)

97 B-Line is the most frequent bus that goes from Coq to lougheed. Sadly, the 97 doesn't pass by my area, so I'd have to take an alternate route.

[drunkrussian]

^before the skytrain in richmond i had to walk 15 mins to a bus, wait twenty minutes then dpending where i go spend 20-30 mins on the bus. sp same thing as you. for sfu id have to bus to a skytrain whih skytrained to a bus and then bus up the hill

the skytrain is a lot better. however, walking fifteen mins to a bus and waitig for a bus was not particularly bad or anything; i think most people who live in residential areas do that

[unit]

how about extended skytrain hours?

skytrain ending at 130am is a joke

and you expect people not to drink and drive lawlz

im with you on that one, but there are tons of much bigger cities that do not have trains going all night long. theres only a handful that do, so dont expect vancouver to be on that list anytime soon.

[bbbj]

Just wondering, but for people that have taken transit similar to our skytrain in other major urban centers, do you find our trains stop much more abruptly and hard brake alot? Or is it the same on subways/monorails everywhere?

[too_slow]

I don't mean to disrespect the Coquitlam folk, but is the 97 B-line really that bad that a Skytrain is needed? Hypothetically speaking would everyone prefer that instead of using money on the Evergreen line, that Translink spend that money on extending service hours to run late or 24 hours?

On a good day, the 97 takes ~25-30min to get to Lougheed Station from Coquitlam station. The traffic along Barnet and St Johns is absolutely horrific.
This was back in 2007. I am sure the traffic is even more congested now along St Johns.

[goo3]

Just wondering, but for people that have taken transit similar to our skytrain in other major urban centers, do you find our trains stop much more abruptly and hard brake alot? Or is it the same on subways/monorails everywhere?

Never really noticed a difference.

But I noticed we have shorter trains, and our wait times are short as opposed to longer trains and longer wait times.

[falcon]

Just wondering, but for people that have taken transit similar to our skytrain in other major urban centers, do you find our trains stop much more abruptly and hard brake alot? Or is it the same on subways/monorails everywhere?

Worse elsewhere, actually. The Skytrain rides like a plush caddy compared to some of the urban lines I've been on in Europe where you basically fall over if you're not holding onto something.

[AWDTurboLuvr]

Just wondering, but for people that have taken transit similar to our skytrain in other major urban centers, do you find our trains stop much more abruptly and hard brake alot? Or is it the same on subways/monorails everywhere?

Some places are better. I find the Montreal Metro a lot smoother as they are manned units and will hold the doors open longer if they see you coming down the stairs.

Amsterdam's tram system is smooth but much slower as it's right on the roadways.

Shanghai, well, that's a whole different story...not that great in terms of comfort compared to Vancouver, but that also has to do with the number of people squished into the car.

[Tapioca]

Montreal's trains use rubber tires which results in more maintenance costs over the long-term.

The benefit of driverless systems is that you can run trains more frequently at lower costs. For what it is, our system in Vancouver is actually quite good, but of course, people complain about everything in paradise.

[ilvtofu]

Transit Service Changes (http://www.translink.ca/en/Schedules-and-Maps/Transit-Service-Changes.aspx)

looks like there are some actual improvements but not on any of the lines that I take :(

[CorneringArtist]

Translink looks to make free park-and-ride lots pay, jack up prices at already pay lots, and reduce spaces at all park-and-rides in an effort to encourage people to take the bus. How about IMPROVING service first? People can barely get on a bus at rush hour as it is, does Translink want to incite a riot over shitty transit service?

TransLink looks at higher prices for park-and-ride lots (http://www.vancouversun.com/TransLink+looks+higher+prices+park+ride+lots/6815719/story.html)
TransLink is considering charging parking fees at some of its free park-and-ride lots — or raising the price at others —to encourage people to take transit to SkyTrain stations or bus loops instead of driving to them.

The idea, part of a study to determine how the region’s 19 park-and-ride lots can more efficiently feed into the transit network, could see prices at some lots jump substantially.

TransLink spokesman Jason Martin said no decisions on pricing have yet been made, but acknowledged TransLink could potentially partner with more parking companies, such as Impark, which now charges commuters $6 per day to park at Surrey’s King George SkyTrain station.

By comparison, the South Surrey park-and-ride lot is free, while the Scott Road park-and-ride charges commuters $3 per day. Richmond’s Bridgeport station, which has a partnership with the River Rock Casino, charges $2.50 per day.

“We’re going to look at our strategy overall for park-and-rides,” Martin said, adding there will likely continue to be a range of pricing and partnerships across the region’s park-and-ride lots.

Charging more at the lots may encourage people to take buses to SkyTrain stations or connecting bus loops, instead of driving to them, he said.

“Pricing may be the most efficient way to control demand. If a park-and-ride lot is free we might not be creating the right incentives for people to consider using transit in those areas.”

Meanwhile, TransLink is cracking down on illegal parking at the South Surrey park-and-ride, where overcrowding has prompted some drivers to park at curbs, double park, block other cars or park in such a way that prevents buses being able to manoeuvre.

TransLink has had a tow truck on the lot during this week’s morning rush hours to warn drivers that it will begin towing cars next week.

Martin said the overflow is happening even though the lot was reconfigured recently to increase the parking spaces from 425 to 481.

Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts said the South Surrey park-and-ride has been over-capacity for the past five years, with little being done to improve the problem.

And while she supports getting people out of their cars and onto transit, she doesn’t believe commuters south of the Fraser should be penalized with higher fees because they don’t have the same transit infrastructure as some cities like Vancouver and Burnaby.

“All the park-and-rides are busy. When you have a car-dependent community because of lack of transit, you want to do everything you can to encourage people getting out of their cars and taking transit when they can,” Watts said. “Until you have an integrated transportation system you can rely on, I don’t think fees should be in place.”

Martin said the study, which is expected to be completed within the next six months, will look at where commuters are coming from and where they are parking to develop a strategy that complements the existing transit service.

It may be that some underserved areas need cheaper access to park-and-ride lots, he said, while the prices could increase at lots in transit-dense areas where people live closer to SkyTrain. Martin would not confirm whether TransLink is considering closing certain lots.

He said the increase in traffic at park- and-ride lots is a result of more people taking transit, including those who are catching buses from South Surrey or Ladner and connecting with the Canada Line at Bridgeport.

But he noted it costs TransLink $3,000 to create each parking space and $200 per year to operate it.

“It’s positive people are taking transit but we have to look at what are the value or the cost of park-and-rides,” he said. “We understand park-and-rides offer a convenience for customers but it comes at a price.

“It’s a matter of balancing how transit can support park- and-rides but park-and-rides themselves are not an overall solution.”

Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart said that if transit is made “inconvenient enough,” people will continue to drive.

Fees are charged at all West Coast Express station park-and-rides. But park-and-rides at Gleneagles, Westmount, Park Royal mall, Phibbs exchange, Sexsmith, Walnut Grove, Ladner exchange and south Delta exchange are all free.

ksinoski@vancouversun.com

© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun


Read more: TransLink looks at higher prices for park-and-ride lots (http://www.vancouversun.com/TransLink+looks+higher+prices+park+ride+lots/6815719/story.html#ixzz1yRBclg4w)

[Not really racist!]

Lol, yet the 27 gets shafted again

[jimzilla]

They are really cracking down on fare evaders. The past 6 times that I rode on the 99 within the past 2 days the transit police has checked for fares 4 times. It really pisses me off because one time it stalled the bus for 45mins because it was packed like sardines and they made everyone get off and back on again, and another time some fucking douche kept on backtalking the police and he refused to get off the bus - 30mins later they just man handled him out.

/rant

[Everymans]

I was reading about that Park and ride noise in the paper. I don't take transit to work nor do I use a park and ride but it all seems like another option to drain riders of their money. I'm not sure of the cost, but if it's going to cost me 4$ for parking for the day, then 7-8$ just to get too and from work, then it's probably going to be cheaper to drive to work(Unless you live downtown.)

[NeoKaze92]

I've lived in Vancouver for the entire 20 years of my life. I'm guilty as a Translink hater, but since moving to Mississauga for work and being on RS alot cause I miss home; I just wanna say that Vancouver is a gem of a transit system compared to the rest of the country. When you think waiting half an hour is bad for a bus, be thankful it did; In shittissauga, you're lucky if the bus shows up at all. Toronto you might think is better, but since everyone lives in the burbs the need for transit is not high, so the bus system is pretty shitty. I gotta gives props to Montreal, they know what's up.

[Tapioca]

^ Montreal has a good Metro, but its age is showing. And it's really only accessible if you live on the island of Montreal. I will also add that it was built in a different time (60s) when governments and the public believed in investments in infrastructure. The problem today is that no one wants to invest in the long-term (or the public naively believes that if executive salaries and wages could be trimmed by 60%, expansions could be funded.)

And because many RS users are Asian, they have experience with really good Metro systems such as those in Hong Kong, Japan and China. Again, you can't compare systems that are built in high-density areas to our system which attempts to serve a wide area.

[godwin]

Which city besides NY have 24 transit honestly? London doesn't run 24/7, HK doesn't and those have way higher population density than Vancouver.

im with you on that one, but there are tons of much bigger cities that do not have trains going all night long. theres only a handful that do, so dont expect vancouver to be on that list anytime soon.

[Tapioca]

^ It simply doesn't make sense for Translink to run trains 24/7 to appease maybe a couple thousand bar hoppers every weekend. Even alcoholics in their 30s and 40s typically don't stay out past midnight anyway as they actually have lives to live during the week.

[twitchyzero]

if the typical establishment closes at 2 at least run the train until 3am on fri/sat night...but i do realize they need to do maintenance before it goes back up at 6am on weekends?

[Tapioca]

if the typical establishment closes at 2 at least run the train until 3am on fri/sat night...but i do realize they need to do maintenance before it goes back up at 6am on weekends?

The trains need to be cleaned which probably takes at least 2 hours. There is also a crew that runs a vehicle along the tracks to ensure there aren't any issues.

The trains already run until about 1 AM on Fridays and Saturdays. I was 20 once too and I had more than a few nights when I got trashed into oblivion. But you know what? I sucked it up and split a cab with some friends. If I'm going to spend a hundred bucks (that's on par for what a night with the boys is going to cost these days), surely I can afford to spend another $20 on a ride home. And if you're really cheap, the night bus does an adequate job serving the routes of the Skytrain.

On the other hand, if bar hopping is your priority, perhaps a move downtown would be the most logical thing to do?

[AW607]

that stupid as hell $5 addfare leaving the airport on the canadaline. Paying almost eight bucks just to run across three stations? Ever since my U-pass expired and I don't go to school anymore, I always have to time my visits to the airport because parking at the airport is even more absurd. I know you're trying to rip off the tourists and fobs but come on :fulloffuck::fuckthatshit:

And also the people who try to rush onto the train when people are trying to get off, just wait until people leave The train's not gonna ditch you, commuters can be pretty damn impatient. I've always attempted to shoulder check people that try to storm onto the train instead of waiting a few seconds

[Graeme S]

Actually that extra $5 goes to the Airport, not to translink IIRC.

When I went to NY, the subways close late at night. Times square, last train was somewhere between 1 and 2AM, I think. Even on a Friday or a Saturday night. And if you take the subway to JFK, there's another separate train whose only job is to circle around the airport--and guess how much it costs? $5. Even if you already bought a NY Transit pass.

[AWDTurboLuvr]

^ Montreal has a good Metro, but its age is showing. And it's really only accessible if you live on the island of Montreal. I will also add that it was built in a different time (60s) when governments and the public believed in investments in infrastructure. The problem today is that no one wants to invest in the long-term (or the public naively believes that if executive salaries and wages could be trimmed by 60%, expansions could be funded.)

And because many RS users are Asian, they have experience with really good Metro systems such as those in Hong Kong, Japan and China. Again, you can't compare systems that are built in high-density areas to our system which attempts to serve a wide area.

Yeah, the cars on the Montreal Metro are ancient compared to most. Bombardier (surprise) is finally building new ones for it but it keeps getting delayed (should be out probably in 2015...bleah.

[Tapioca]

that stupid as hell $5 addfare leaving the airport on the canadaline. Paying almost eight bucks just to run across three stations? Ever since my U-pass expired and I don't go to school anymore, I always have to time my visits to the airport because parking at the airport is even more absurd. I know you're trying to rip off the tourists and fobs but come on :fulloffuck::fuckthatshit:


Here's a hint: if you buy faresavers, you don't have to pay the $5. If you're going to the airport a lot, maybe buy a booklet.

[tiger_handheld]

Tapioca sounds like a transit employee - are you?

[Tapioca]

Tapioca sounds like a transit employee - are you?

No, I'm not, but I use the system for my commute. I also follow transit discussions in the blogosphere and I have enough personal experience with other systems in the world (NYC, HK, Paris, London, Rome, Toronto, Munich, Montreal) to make informed comparisons.

[BrRsn]

that stupid as hell $5 addfare leaving the airport on the canadaline. Paying almost eight bucks just to run across three stations? Ever since my U-pass expired and I don't go to school anymore, I always have to time my visits to the airport because parking at the airport is even more absurd. I know you're trying to rip off the tourists and fobs but come on :fulloffuck::fuckthatshit:

And also the people who try to rush onto the train when people are trying to get off, just wait until people leave The train's not gonna ditch you, commuters can be pretty damn impatient. I've always attempted to shoulder check people that try to storm onto the train instead of waiting a few seconds


Just as an aside ... if its only for a little bit, park underground where the car rental places are, infront of one of them. There's a fairly high chance nothing will happen :ilied:

[AW607]

that stupid as hell $5 addfare leaving the airport on the canadaline. Paying almost eight bucks just to run across three stations? Ever since my U-pass expired and I don't go to school anymore, I always have to time my visits to the airport because parking at the airport is even more absurd. I know you're trying to rip off the tourists and fobs but come on :fulloffuck::fuckthatshit:


Here's a hint: if you buy faresavers, you don't have to pay the $5. If you're going to the airport a lot, maybe buy a booklet.

Yeah, this was when I was on my way out of leaving my duty free job, and I still had a U-pass. I had no problems then, even if I forgot my u-pass; I parked at Templeton occasionally and the trips between Templeton and the Airport for YVR employees were free (albeit the parking costs ~$60 a month)

I recently had to go back to collect my paperwork for quitting and it took longer than a couple hours, so I had to pay for another fare ticket going back to Bridgeport that day. I should probably just get a book of faresavers then, for those 'just in case' trips

[bakasam]

Karm who runs the @VancityBuzz Twitter account has preached more than once that Translink needs to run Skytrain lines to UBC instead of running the Evergreen Line out to Coquitlam.

Hes an idiot and lost me as a follower after that.

Hate that guy spams the same shit over and over and ruins my feed