Columbo

I won't believe a thing about the Evergreen Line anymore till I see some concrete pillars in the air...

To be honest it almost seems like the way Translink operates financially is first they're given a huge government investment for some major project, then once it's done they have to somehow maintain it with insufficient funding. It's like a big joke or something.

Wow, what are you talking about? Translink planned something but never followed through with it? Surely you jest!

I've also just described some of the poorest, most forsaken societies in the world.

Wow, your logic is so flawed. Here is a list of things in our society that are not economically sustainable: Healthcare Education Police Services Fire Services Libraries Waste Management Broadcasting All Social Services Should we cut back all these things till their usership alone pays for them? If you think so, you're insane. If you don't think so, what makes transit so special?

I'm curious, anyone know any Canada Line ridership figures, now that people have more or less settled into their September travel routine?

It seems to me like the doors are actually motion sensored, which is a bit of a disaster on the 99, as people pack into the doors like sardines and then they don't close, and no one can figure out why because no one is touching the doors. It happened at every single bus stop this morning.

So the past few days I've been on these new 99s that I've never seen before, they have the automated "touch here to open" doors like I've only seen on the 20 before. Are these actually new buses, or just new doors on old buses? Or are they former 98s? (I never really rode those). On the topic of the 99, I am both pleased and frustrated with transit these days... Getting on the bus at Broadway and Cambie for a 9am class really sucks, despite Translink's best efforts. I used to always get on the first bus that came (it was packed of course but manageable)... on a really bad day, I'd have to wait for the 2nd bus. Today I didn't get on till the 5th bus, and this is becoming a theme. To Translink's credit, they were literally coming every 3 minutes, but an extra 15 minutes to my commute makes me sad. Start digging that line to UBC...

To be fair it wasn't during rush hour but it was right when I had to leave for class (11am)

That's what happens when you SHUT DOWN BROADWAY for even a little while. Gah...

Wow, gong show construction at Broadway and Cambie today. I got to the bus stop there at 10:45, got on the bus at 11:20, and got to school just before 12:00. At one point for about 15 minutes the entire westbound side of the street was completely closed. It didn't help that there was probably 100 people waiting for the bus.

Well, what a surprise.......... My commute is going to be lovely this year.

Anyways. Can't wait for my first B-Line trip of the school year tomorrow. Should be a gong show, as per usual.

But if each train is still full... it seems the only difference is that people are waiting outside the station rather than inside it.

Meh. I've traveled to several countries, and it seems that tourists do one of two things: 1) already have a plan for getting from the airport to their destination (ie. they did their research at home and they probably know about the line), or 2) ask a tourism desk, in which case the guy will probably direct them to the Canada line. As long as there's some sort of signage, it's probably not going to be a huge problem. Do the signs at least have a small picture of a train on them?

Wow, can't wait to see what it looks like when there IS a problem with service. Which will probably be like once a week?

Minister vows to cover $57m TransLink shortfall http://www.theprovince.com/news/Minister+v...7768/story.html

I'm excited for the 99 to be busier than ever. I've always thought that it wasn't busy enough. It's about time!

Knowing Translink, you can expect it any time between 2010 and 2098. Probably towards the latter.

Will Translink be operating them (ie. can I get on them with my UPass?) And is VANOC paying for them? Will Translink reimburse VANOC? edit, sorry for all the questions. realize you might not have all the answers. just curious!

from where?

I still think it looks cheap. Which I wouldn't mind, if it wasn't such a clear reminder of how cheap they were when they built the Canada Line.

Here is something interesting, according to wiki: Though I'm not sure what the value in that is. Do they expect people to get off at Templeton, check in, then get back on the train? Because not a lot of people are going to be starting their destination there...

unfinished concrete everywhere... it's inescapable!

I like you better when you post drunk.