Kind of like what npinguy did with his future fantasy Skytrain network.
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UT...,0.961304&z=10
With the increasing cost of gas, and our growing population and increasingly congested roadways, we are experiencing a crunch for carless transit services. We're also blessed with a great natural network of waterways that remains badly underutilized, considering their potential to get people out of cars and cruise past congested road traffic.
Some additional points:
- The Gibsons route is based on the proposal that the Coastal Link Ferries people has put forth (as mentioned in another thread). I suggest adding Bowen and Ambleside as stops, as proposed in GVRD transit proposals in the past, which seem to have gone by the wayside.
- Don't know if there is a need for a stop at both Deep Cove and Dollarton. Just put them in there for now.
- Don't know if there is enough clearance under the Derwent Way bridge between Queensborough and Annacis Island. If not, it'll have to swing south of Annacis instead.
- The Haney-New West and Steveston-New West routes could be combined if the traffic loads match on them.
- In case you're wondering why ferries to Sidney and Nanaimo are on there, the idea is to run BC Ferries' Routes 1, 2, 3 and 30 on a reduced schedule, and run the passenger ferries over similar paths inbetween, to reduce the use of the big car ferries. With rising cost of fuel and BCF's losses, a decrease in service wouldn't be unreasonable. I'd also like to see an extension of the Canada Line to Steveston, to connect with the ferry services and build it up as a town centre.
Now, here is an example of a city with a good marine transit network:
http://www.sydneyferries.info/maps.htm
Comments and suggestions? (Both positive and negative welcome, yet hopefully constructive.)