Covid-19 – Time To Rethink Translink’s Metro Plans?

Something to think about. As ridership plummets on TransLink, it will be ever harder to implement the $4.6 billion extensions to the SkyTrain light-metro network as monies will be needed to shore up a collapsing transit network. Remember, the SkyTrain light-metro network is very expensive to maintain and operate. How can TransLink defend a $4.6 […]

Hats Off to Sandor Gyarmati – While In Other News……

Hats off to Optimist reporter, Sandor Gyarmati as he correctly states: A Boarding represents each time a passenger enters a fare paid zone using Compass fare media or other proof of payment. Transfers are counted as additional boarding’s. This is the first time in the print or electronic media that a reporter has stated this. […]

On-Street Trams Around The World

During these dangerous times a small photo essay on on-street tram or LRT operation to brighten up the day. Luxembourg’s new tramway, classic modern light rial   Edinburgh’s newer tramway. Lot’s of teething problems but now a solid performer.   Melbourne’s streetcar/tram system, now being slowly upgraded to light rail status. Trams have now returned […]

Musings From A Funeral

  Sadly, I have been attending several funerals this year, but just few weeks back at a funeral for an acquaintance I bumped in to an old BC Transit type, who I dueled with back in the 80’s and early 90’s. Having a coffee after the service, he said something quite astounding; “You know, you […]

Ottawa’s Ongoing LRT Drama

When  politicians get involved with transit, fiasco happens. When light-metro pretends to be light rail, fiasco happens. When the media’s ignorance of light-metro and light rail is so evident and they fail to ask important questions, fiasco happens. This article about the operational ills of Ottawa’s new light metro system (though the Ottawa light-metro uses […]

Smoke And Mirrors for The North Shore

Smoke and mirrors. Classic political bait and switch; bait the public into thinking that the province is really doing something, but in reality, doing nothing. The key is funding and of course funding is never mentioned. Without having each option showing cost, means the study is next to useless as people don’t have real information. […]

Incompetence Rules Regional Transit

The minister responsible for TransLink, Selina Robinson, either doesn’t have a clue about public transport or does not care. Most likely a lot of both, because TransLink is on a crash course of; “When you have idiots in charge, do not be surprised at the results”. Harsh, I think not. Operating a public transit service […]

We Are Back

  Memo to all Rail for the Valley is back! We have resolved our technical issues and now back on course bringing needed comment on metro Vancouver’s controversial transit scene.

Is The SkyTrain Lobby, Really The Auto Lobby In Disguise?

I have always wondered about the true intentions of the stout supporters of the SkyTrain light metro system and TransLink. Despite overwhelming evidence that the proprietary Movia Automatic Light Metro (MALM) system is dated and extremely expensive to operate, they champion the museum piece with invented issues like delaying cars at intersections or even worse, […]

The Grand Betrayal of the Fraser Valley

Coming back from a quickie holiday at Harrison Hot Springs, a few thoughts came to mind on my drive there and back. Traveling from South of the Fraser, one is certainly  aware of the mass of new housing being built and with scarce public transit or no transit at all, the only way for people […]