Has The “War On The Car” Gone To Far?

There is a growing problem concerning public and regional transportation that has become very worrisome and that is the so called "war on the car". This simple phrase has been used with great effect in Toronto, where anti-transit politicians have been elected in the Toronto metro region, whose sole goal is to dismantle Toronto's public transit system. The slogan […]

Transit News From Around The World – December 3rd 2010

Light rail train derails in Seattle Komonews http://www.komonews.com/news/local/70237837.html Business leaders: Build light-rail leg to Tampa airport Tampa Bay Online http://tinyurl.com/26qguhs Manchester passengers consulted over closure of Metrolink stop Rail Technology Magazine http://tinyurl.com/26fq6jj Light Rail news Rail Technology Magazine Pages 46 – 53 inclusive; Manchester, Sheffield, Edinburgh, Tyne & Wear and Liepaja http://tinyurl.com/2auqhcs Fraser Valley Interurban […]

Bus Rapid Transit Vs. Light Rail

Too often theAi??Bus versus Light Rail debate omits to mention the operational costs associated with public transport.Ai?? This is the great weakness of the bus when there are significant numbers of passengers to be carried. Official American cost comparisons show that the cost of carrying a passenger on light rail is approximately 2/3rds that of […]

Brisbane, Australia (BRT) Bus Rapid Transit

If there could be any doubt, of the cost effectiveness and the capability to relieve urban congestion of Bus Rapid Transit [BRT], study the following image of Brisbaneai??i??s system. http://www.translink.com.au/about-translink/what-we-do/infrastructure-projects/busways TransLink in BC are actively promoting BRT as the answer for transit in the Fraser Valley, they & the City mayors & councillors who are […]

The Silence of TransLink Speaks Volumes

Since Rail for the Valley released the RftV/Leewood TramTrain report in September, there has been a silence from TransLink and the government's two favoured media outlets, the Vancouver Sun and CKNW radio on the valley rail project. All the TV stations did reports, as did all the regional (semi)weekly newspapers, which is credit to their profession; but […]

Rail For The Valley In The International News Again!

Rail for the Valley and the RftV/Leewood report is featured again in an international publication. In the December issue of Tramways & Urban Transit (the official magazine of the Light Rail Transit Association) is a two page feature of the RftV/Leewood report. As the magazine is distributed not only to LRTA members but internationally as well, […]

Tramway Turnkey Solutions

Alstom Citidas Dualis Tram-Train Combining the best of trains and tramways The challenge The urban fabric now extends well beyond the city centre, with regional and urban networks tending to merge. Users’ needs are changing. They want to be able to move with ease from the city centre to neighbouring towns without having to change […]

International Comparisons of Urban Light Rail Systems

Three references, on the subject of International comparisons of Light Rail systems are posted for information purposes and education. 1) The roles of integrated ticketing, pedestrianisation and population density   http://www.raumplanung.uni-dortmund.de/rwp/ersa2002/cd-rom/papers/167.pdf                                                         […]

Adios TransLink?

Recent events are pointing that TransLink’s time may soonAi??come to an endAi??and a new regional (or two) transit authority(s) may come into being. The trouble with funding for the $1.4 billion Evergreen Line and TransLink’s strict adherence with SkyTrain and or light-metro is highlighting TransLink’s endemic financial woes. TransLink is getting a rough ride from […]

A New Look and a New Resolve!

The growing support for the Rail for the Valley TramTrain/Interurban project has made the new look Rail for the Valley website and blog a must as the old blog was rather dowdy. Zweisystem welcomes Cardinal Fang to the blog role, but lest the SkyTrain Lobby think they have chased old Zwei away, think again! The […]