Fares Up – TransLink’s Customers Pay More For Planning Incompetence.

Yes, yes, we knew this was coming, fare increases. TransLink, by refusing to do real cost cutting measures, has opened the door for fare increases. Yet those paying the least, the residents of Vancouver, have the most transit options, including three mini-metro lines; 13 trolley bus routes; and scores of urban bus routes. Those living […]

Aftert 17 Years & Over $8 billion Invested In Light-metro – Nothing changed

After 17 years of SkyTrain and or Canada Line investment,Ai??with well over $8 billion of taxpayers monies spent, there has been little change in the overall modal share. TransLink, a firm believer that is something doesn’t work, do it again, continues with SkyTrain light-metro planning or light rail designed as a poor man’s SkyTrain,Ai??for the […]

But, What About Hard Numbers?

In classic fashion, a TransLink news release to the mainstream media claims that, “there was a 17-per cent increase in the total number of trips taken on transit from 2008 to 2011.”, yet no hard numbers are used, and why not? TransLink wants money, a lot of money and how better to groom the taxpayer […]

SkyTrain Is At The Centre Of TransLink’s Finacial Woes

SkyTrain, the sum of TransLink’s financial evils. Long time transit advocate, Malcolm Johnston has had a very good letter printed in the weeklies and at least one daily newspaper, pointing out that the SkyTrain and light-metro are at the root of TransLink’s financial ills. No doubt the SkyTrain lobby will react negatively to Mr. Johnston’s […]

The Guru’s of Tax & Spend Are Grooming the Public for Road Pricing

Like a pervert on the Internet grooming children for lewd encounters, the powers that be in METRO Vancouver are grooming the public for “road pricing” for a very rude tax grab. What is road pricing anyways? Road pricingAi??and congestion charging are direct charges levied for the use of roads, including road tolls, distance or time […]

The Light Rail Revolution in France

The one country that has spurred on the “light rail revolution” is France, yetAi??in the late 70’s and early 80’s French politicians and planners were going the light-metro route with the French VAL rubber tire mini-metro system. MATRA, the massive French Arms consortium, were the owners of the VAL proprietary light-metro system and the French […]

Memo To TransLink – The Regional Mayors Did Not Blink – Well At Least For The Moment.

It seems TransLink’s game of chicken has failed at the regional level; well for the time being. The real problem why TransLink is on a financial precipice, is the SkyTrain light-metro system and light-metro systems, especially driverless light-metro systems, cost a lot to build and operate. Like many who work for TransLink, regional mayors have […]

TransLink Is Playing “Financial Chicken” With The Taxpayer.

TransLink is a one trick pony and Bob Paddon, TransLink’sAi??executive vice-president of strategic planning is the ringleader, trundling out the same old tired routine to con the public for more money. One tires of TransLink’s brinkmanship, but throwing more tax money at this ponderous bureaucracy will do nothing to alleviate the problem and the problem […]

Subway Blunders in Europe – Can TransLink Learn From Other’s Mistakes?

More from the LRPPro. Herr K. is a German transit specialist from Germany and gives wonderful insight to the pitfalls of building new subways for the sake of building new subways. The following post shows theAi??problems and counter productiveAi??resultsAi??of building subways and metros, where ordinary trams would do just fine. There are lessons to be […]

New Port Mann Bridge toll for cars is $1.50 – A Pre-election Goody?

In a deliberate attempt to pander for votes in next spring’s election the BC Liberal government has offered a ‘pre full toll special’ for a few months and if you register for a decal, you get a full year at the discounted price – yippee! Zwei is not against tolling, but the new Port Mann […]