[SFUVancouver]

Let me float an idea I've been playing with for some time...

I think there is a general consensus that Translink is not altogether structured to respond to localized demand because it is tasked with regional connectivity.

Take for instance the the proposed Downtown Vancouver Streetcar. This would be a much-needed circulator with little regional significance and Translink has clearly said, and I quote, "while worthy of study, it is not a priority of Translink at this time". However the City of Vancouver clearly recognizes its potential and is forging ahead anyway, much to the chagrin of Translink which I believe has started sabre rattling about its jurisdiction.

What I'm getting at is that there should be some way of allowing cities or even other actors (Tourism Vancouver perhaps) to move projects forward independent of Translink in instances where local and regional demands are at odds. I am absolutely in favour of a major ramp-up in transit service outside of the City of Vancouver and South of the Fraser in particular. This is long overdue and the status quo represents an unfair distribution of regionally collected property and gas taxes. Never the less, Vancouver is far and away the city with the greatest transit use and the services and service hours that are currently offered are hopelessly far from meeting demand. In this light it is fair to say that Vancouver is being held back by the rest of the region. Despite this it cannot officially move forward with the streetcar or even begin proper transit-oriented planning in earnest without Translink's involvement.

Here is the trail balloon: A two-tiered Translink. One regional tier would be tasked with regional connectivity, similar to Sound Transit in Seattle or TriMet in Portland. A second City-Translink tier would be some sort of civic franchisee, if you follow my meaning, of Translink and it would allow a given city to initiate new transit initiatives in corrodination with local planning, all within a harmonized fare structure environment.

Think about the Portland Streetcar that was funded locally though a combination of property taxes levied on plots adjacent the proposed corridor, a handful of Federal Transportation dollars through the "Small Starts" fund specifically aimed at providing cities with seed money for small projects, and plain-old city dollars (and not too many either). Portland started small and largely funded the (now five) extensions in the last five years through a replication of the initial funding model. The streetcar is cited as the critical factor in the city's successful leveraging of more than $2.5B in investment along the corridor and it is rapidly reshaping citizens' conceptual understanding of mobility in their city. That model cannot be followed here with Translink being the only legal transit provider. So let's work within the system and perhaps give cities control over a chunk of Translink. At the very least Translink should task a permanent liaison to each sector or city to work with that city's planning staff and help facilitate fine-grained transit-oriented planning.

Thoughts?

[SpongeG]

sounds good

West Vancouver started to operate its own service because of lack of service form teh regional authority

I know in the bay area - San Francisco Operates its own system of street cars lrt etc. as MUNI, than there is BART which goes through san fran but is a different system all together and than there are various outlying suburbs that operate their own buses into san francisco

I just posted an article in the suburb thread about improvements for surrey langley aldergrove - they are making the 502 route have 15 minute frequency on weekends and weekdays at certain times (the 502 goes from aldergrove to surrey centre)

and there is a plan to have a route from aldergrove to abbotsford - thus tying the fraser valley tranist system into the GVRD's one - can't believe that there weren't any connecting routes before

as well as there will be a bus linking langley (walnut grove) and the west coast express in maple ridge once the golden ears bridge goes up!

and there are plans to link langley and south surrey white rock - again can't believe they are't already connected

[mr.x2]

sounds good

West Vancouver started to operate its own service because of lack of service form teh regional authority



how does the fare system work?

[SpongeG]

its the same and you can transfer onto it -

http://www.westvancouver.ca/article.asp?a=1813&c=682

http://www.westvancouver.ca/article.asp?c=616

Welcome Aboard
West Vancouver’s Blue Bus Transit system began in 1912, and is the oldest continuously operated, municipal system in North America. Our distinctive Blue Buses operate under contract to TransLink and serve West Vancouver, Downtown Vancouver, Lions Bay and UBC. We’re constantly working to provide you with the best and most convenient travel. So come aboard and enjoy the ride!

West Vancouver Transit has continued to grow over the years, most significantly during the past ten years. The distinctive colours of the Blue Bus complete with municipal crest atop are one of the most modern fleets in the industry providing accessible service for wheelchairs and scooters. Recent installation of bicycle racks has further increased travel options for passengers.

West Vancouver Transit currently provides transit services to most areas of West Vancouver including service to downtown Vancouver, University of British Columbia, Village of Lions Bay and more recently, direct service to the mid Lonsdale/Lions Gate Hospital and Lynn Valley Centre areas in North Vancouver. Express service to Horseshoe Bay and the BC Ferry Terminal has proven a popular alternative for ferry patrons traveling to Nanaimo, Bowen Island, and the Sunshine Coast. Special services are provided for Vancouver Canuck hockey games and to the Pacific National Exhibition. Private charter services undertaken when possible.

Maintenance of the Bus fleet is administered in house through a preventative maintenance program and in compliance with the National Safety Code.

The District of West Vancouver's Transit department operates as a subsidiary under the Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority (GVTA) to provide transit services and maintenance requirements as detailed through an Annual Operating Agreement. The GVTA is more commonly known as TransLink, the Regional Transportation Network. A high level of service and public acceptance through courtesy, punctuality and above all safety in its operation is of paramount importance. Blue Bus staff are dedicated at working diligently with all its stake holders in maintaining and improving, where feasible, the excellent service it has always provided.


http://www.westvancouver.ca/upload/images/bus_smile.jpg

[eduardo88]

The only problem with your idea is there would be too much competition for provincial and federal funding.

[fever]

Translink will need the support of individual municipalities if it is going to start paying for major projects by selling development rights. With Translink becoming even more distant from municipalities in its new form, I doubt there will be any improvement. Who knows...

[officedweller]

I agree that a two-tiered structure would result in competition for dollars and likely even more political posturing between municipalities on an additional level.
i.e. are streetcar lines growth shaping? - so build them to feed into Skytrain stations in the suburbs where new construction can respond to transit (as was done for the historical streetcar suburbs in Vancouver) or are they built to respond to existing transit ridership? - where it may just shift existing riders around?

[SpongeG]

what about separating public transportation ie the buses, skytrain etc from the same body that rules over the highways, bridges and road systems?

the way it used to be - which i must add bus service was so much better in the 90's

[CC420]

These are all good ideas. Unfortunately, the 'new' Translink will be mostly privately run with a few publicly appointed board members. Since this 'new' Translink will most likely come to fruition in a few years, I see more road expansion and less money for public transit.

http://thetyee.ca/Views/2007/03/13/TransLinkSmackdown/

The above article, a few months dated but still relevant makes some excellent points. The best one refering to how the GVRD has a great plan but has had trouble implimenting it due to lack of power to enforce. No major rescructuring needs to be made to the current system except for the resructuring of Translink into a directly elected board truly responsible to us taxpayers. This combined with a GVRD which can actually enforce its policies would make for an effective region with excellent transit all round.

[Holden West]

Burnaby Now
Editorial
Published: Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Given an opportunity to demonstrate forward-thinking leadership, TransLink directors opted instead for the depressingly predictable and rubber-stamped a staff proposal to raise transit fares beginning Jan. 1, 2008.
Public transit represents the future for our region. Without a system that is convenient, accessible and affordable, we will choke on our own traffic. That's bad for the environment and bad for the economy.
TransLink's riders don't come from West Vancouver's stockbrokers and lawyers. For the most part, it's the minimum-wage earners who ride the bus because they have to, not because they are worried about global warming. Instead of doubling the gas tax and giving those who pollute and clog roads the chance to pay the price for their personal freedom, our fearless politicians ducked an unpopular choice.

© Times Colonist (Victoria) 2007

[deasine]

I still don't see why people are complaining about increasing transit fare. It's not that much of a big hike. If you can afford a Venti Low Fat Mocha Frap every single morning, I'm sure you can afford this increase.

Increasing of fares is actually a good sign.

1) TransLink wants to IMPROVE its services by introducing more ambitious plans that will satisfy the region's goals, thus, needing more funding by increasing fares. People will see improvements shortly after the fare hike.

2) The region is growing economically, in population, etc. Thus, needing improvements to Transit, which leads back to #1.

Anyway, I actually thought of this and I think it may work (but unfortunately this is not the Provincal Gov't's plans):

TransLink will still remain TransLink, however, all proposed projects (rapid transit, new infrastructure, new bus routes, etc.) will be decided by each council representing a region (Vancouver/UBC, Burnaby/New Westminster, South of Fraser, etc.). The council will made made of mostly municipality counsellors representing all the muncipalities participating in the region and one or two TransLink Urban Planners. Each council will set its own projects and plans for its region and will propose these projects to TransLink Council. The TransLink council will decide if these projects are a go depending on the priorities in the region, and its density, etc.. Part of the projects can actually be paid by the municipality/municipalities, which allows many envisioned projects to be real life. Now why is density considered? Well the more people, the more transit users. But GVRD wants to promote more density to decrease or stop urban sprawl. This will encourage more municipalities to increase their density.

Any thoughts or comments?

[tintinium]

I think the U-pass should go up. I know it was a deal that translink had, but given that service is greatly increased to the university and usage is up a LOT...