Track Issues

Really, TransLink’s “TransLink Speak” is getting tiresome. “Medical emergency” means another poor soul has committed suicide by throwing ones self in front of a train. “Track issues“, translates into a host of problems, but in TransLink’s lexicon, it generally means we don’t care and any excuse is a good excuse. What was the track issue? […]

Bombardier In Trouble

Though TransLink will not admit it, and the Mayor’s Council Transit, claims its not true, the truth is, the Expo and Millennium Lines operate with the proprietary MALM light metro system. Bombardier Inc. is the sole source manufacturer of MALM and no other company offers an off the shelf product that can run on the […]

Embarrassment! TransLink Tells SkyTrain Customers To Go Home.

Once again, TransLink demonstrates to all that it can’t operate a popcorn stand, let alone a transit system. TransLink has known since 1986 that the mini-metro performs poorly in the snow, yet they do little or nothing to rectify the situation. At the same time, the bus system is reduced to shambles in snow, yet […]

Oxymoron

  TransLink advisory: In anticipation of bad weather Millennium Line is operating with 4 car trains so increased capacity but reduced frequency. Memo to TransLink: 2 car trains, operating at 2 minute headway’s (30 trips per hour), capacity equals 6,000 pphpd. 4 car trains operating at 4 minute headway’s (15 trips per hour), capacity equals […]

A Comment Worth Reading – Costs!

The chap who uses the avatar Haveacow is a transit and transportation expert and it is a must, reading his comments; I certainly do! I have been in this game for almost 35 years and the song sung by the SkyTrain lobby never changes. Those defending light metro in Metro Vancouver never deal with costs. […]

It Is Essential That LRT Is Designed By Consultants With Expertise In Modern LRT!

TransLink has absolutely zero expertise with modern light rail, yet continually plans for grossly inferior light rail lines which under scrutiny shows so many flaws that their plans become laughable. The latest was then Surrey LRT, which was so over engineered and so gold-plated, it became unafordable and was easily pushed aside by the SkyTrain […]

Expo & Millennium Line Ridership – 150,000 Per Weekday

It is interesting, the on going debate about the SkyTrain light metro’s ridership, especially when TransLink’s spin doctors tell the truth. This comment by a TransLink spokesperson caught me by surprise and it has been repeated in both the mainstream and electronic media. Just has to be true! TransLink characterized this job action as unreasonable […]

OK Mr. Horgan and Translink, Why not TramTrain?

  It has now been 10 years since Rail for the Valley commissioned the Leewood Study on reestablishing a passenger rail service from Vancouver to Chilliwack and all the public got was invented excuses from all levels of government. Light rail doesn’t work; no one will take it, too circuitous a route; etc., were the […]

Reality Check

Transit rule number 1: You got to have funding to build and operate a transit line. The Mayors Council on Transit, is a little weak on this issue, especially after a mostly federal/provincial funded $4.6 billion grant to build 12.8 km of extensions to the Expo and Millennium Lines. They also approved an increased of […]

Rorschach Test

The Zurich tram system. Overview: The tram network serves most city neighbourhoods, and is the backbone of public transport within the city. Open: 1882 Cauge: Metre Number of routes: 15 Route length: 118.7 km (73.8 mi) Owner: Zürich Propulsion system(s): Electric Track length (total): 171.9 km (106.8 mi) Track length (double): 72.9 km (45.3 mi) […]