The SkyTrain Lobby Just Can’t Debate Transit Issues

The followingAi??Ai??letter to the Georgia Straight sums up transit planning in Vancouver and the region, an almost mythicalAi??Ai??blind faith in the SkyTrain light-metro and the complete inability to debate transit issues. The SkyTrain lobby’s preference is based purely on mass hysteria not technical merit and the commentsAi??Ai??following letter clearly illustrates a hysterical response; there is […]

The new Ottawa LRT Will save $100 Million in Operating Costs Over 30 Years!

As with all projects in Canada’s Capital, the New LRT line is heavily gold-plated, including a nearly billion dollar, 3.2 km. tunnel under the city. Just a few years ago, Ottawa’s city fathers canceled a 29.7 km., $780 million light rail line contract with Siemens (which cost the city $36.7 million), to build light rail […]

Has TransLink Already Struck The Finacial Iceberg?

Ai??Ai?? The problem with TransLink is simple, it operates two very expensive and Ai??Ai??incompatibleAi??Ai??metro systems on routes that do not have the ridership to sustainAi??Ai??them,Ai??Ai??which translates into higher annual subsidies (read higher taxes) and ever higher fares. The annual subsidy for just the two SkyTrain lines is over $230 million annually. As well, TransLink offers […]

The Broadway Follies Part 4 – The Versatile Light Rail

TheAi??Ai??entire transit debate for the Broadway route has been defined by the SkyTrain Lobby as a quest for speed, as if speed was the only criteria for a successful urban ‘rail‘ line. Yet speed of a transit system is onlyAi??Ai??one ofAi??Ai??many factors that determine a successful ‘rail‘ transit line. From the Haas-Klau study (Bus or […]

Pub Fundraiser

Hello everyone, Rail for the Valley is hosting a fundraiser at Corkey’s pub in Chilliwack on May 21, from 5pm-8pm (there will be live music after 8). This will be a great opportunity to meet with fellow advocates and to simply have a good time. I hope to see you there! May 21 5pm-8pm Corkey’s […]

When Trolleybus and Streetcar Cross Paths

In answer to a query from a regular poster, ‘Zwei’ has found a picture of a Russian trolleybus and tram intersection showing the overhead.Ai??Ai?? I have included from Wikipedia,Ai??Ai??a short description ofAi??Ai??tram/trolleybus junctions, locations,Ai??Ai??and the electric overhead. Tram – Trolleybus Crossings From Wikipedia Trams draw their power from a single overhead wire at about 500 […]

Adios Seattle’s Trolley Buses?

It seems transit authorities are taking a hard look at Seattle’s trolley bus system, with an eye to abandon the service. The problem in Seattle, as in Vancouver, the trolley busesAi??Ai??are only seen as a electric bus, not a different transit mode suited for a specific job. Trolley buses should be used on heavily used […]

The Broadway Follies Part 3 A?ai??i??ai??? Questions & Answers about SkyTrain

We continueAi??Ai??with the question and answer format about Broadway’s transit issues, with a focus on SkyTrain. Vancouver is the only city in the world that continues to plan and build solely with automatic (driverless) light-metro and many people would like to know why. First, we must tackle the issue of SkyTrain and answer questions posed […]

The Broadway Follies Part 2 – Questions & Answers about LRT

Zwei received a phone call from a confused citizen regarding a transit meeting he attended in Vancouver about transit options for Broadway. It seems a state of confusion reigns about what LRT is, what LRT can achieve, and modern transit in general. This is not to unexpected as TransLink has never been clever about LRT […]

A Basel Light Controlled Road, Centred Tram Stop

The following is a short video of a Basel light controlled, road centred tram stop. http://citytransport.info/mpg/traffic-signal-tramstop320.mpg Please note the following: The cyclist stops for the red light. Taffic light red cycle, 32 seconds. Dwell time 15 seconds. Reserved rights-of-way – hatched and crossed lines on the tram route.