The Pattullo Bridge needs replacing. Built 80 years ago but designed to last 50 years, it desperately needs replacing. River scour is causing foundation issues. The reinforcing steel is corroding. The concrete is degrading. The lanes are narrow and dangerous. It needs to go. TransLink has a plan for replacing it, with a new bridge… Continue reading What now for the Pattullo Bridge?
Earlier today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Kinder Morgan is applying for a re-route of their TransMountain pipeline that currently runs from Edmonton to Burnaby, B.C. He also announced conditional federal funding for an expanded SkyTrain line to be run in a tunnel under Broadway in Vancouver. “We have heard criticisms over the past… Continue reading Trudeau announces new Kinder Morgan route, Broadway SkyTrain
If you remember back to October 2015 you’ll remember that TransLink proposed some changes to New Westminster’s community shuttle routes. I was largely in favour of the changes, and a couple of people suggested modifications to the C9 route so that the current C3 stop on Jameison Court wouldn’t be lost. Good news! TransLink released the Transit Network Consultation report today,… Continue reading Changes are coming to New Westminster’s community shuttle routes!
Last week Global News trotted out a stinker of a news article talking about how SkyTrain technology is outdated and needs to be replaced. They implied that recent system disruptions are an indication of how outdated and unreliable the technology is, and that we’re tied to Bombardier to supply all of the technology in the… Continue reading Is SkyTrain outdated?
TransLink is blowing up New Westminster’s community shuttle routes. Or, at least, they’re proposing it. Here, in a nutshell, are their proposals: Discontinue the C3 and C8 routes that service Quayside Drive, Victoria Hill, and southern Sapperton, replacing them with a “New J” route that would service Quayside Drive and Victoria Hill. Discontinue the C4… Continue reading Proposed changes to New Westminster community shuttle routes
So the Metro Vancouver Transportation and Transit Plebiscite went down in a ball of flames. What now for TransLink? Their CEO said that the upgrades laid out in the Mayors’ Council plan still need to be done, and they’ll get done. So where is TransLink going to find the money without any new funding sources?… Continue reading What now for TransLink?
Welp. Thanks Christy Clark for your stunning display of leadership. Congrats to the ‘no’ side for winning! But the joke’s on you: nobody wins. Hello to higher property taxes! Property near SkyTrain stations just got more valuable. Time to buy stock in Metro Vancouver road-building companies, car dealerships, and auto mechanics. Chilliwack people? Hey how… Continue reading Eight thoughts on the transit referendum results
In his most-recent column, Michael Smyth paints TransLink in a negative light, pointing to “surprises” such as Ian Jarvis’s compensation boost, increased administration costs, and Transit Police going over budget. This plays right into his “holy shit TransLink is wasteful” story that people of his ilk eat up with a spoon (just check the comments… Continue reading Fun With Statistics, by Michael Smyth
Today BC Transportation Minister Todd Stone announced a ten-year transportation plan for BC. During the press conference he was asked about the Metro Vancouver transportation plebiscite, and if the province is considering reforming TransLink, because this is one of the reasons why people are considering voting ‘no’. His answer? At this point in time, the… Continue reading The astoundingly bad logic of Jordan Bateman
The Mercer 2015 Quality of Living rankings were released today, and Vancouver slotted in at the best place to live in North America, and #5 in the world. Hooray, Vancouver! You might be asking yourself how they come up with these rankings. It looks like the exact methodology is secret, but you can get some… Continue reading Vancouver tops again thanks, in part, to TransLink
