Another piece from the Globe, this time Ian Bailey’s evaluation of the Canada Line. (I include my own quotes because (1) I hope they’re of interest to PT readers, and (2) it’s an easy way to keep track of quoted comments.)
Gordon Price, a six-term Vancouver city councillor who is now director of the city program at Simon Fraser University, said things appear to be going “pretty damn well” for the system.
He said he has been struck by the number of passengers toting and pushing their luggage. Mr. Price said he was skeptical business travellers would be interested in taking a system that compelled them to take their luggage to and from the stations.
“What I hadn’t taken into account was the downsizing of luggage to carry-on and wheels. You can sure see it, pretty dramatic,” he said. “It brought a class of people, who normally didn’t take transit into their thinking and got them aboard … both literally and enthusiastically.”
Mr. Price has been using the line to get from his home in Vancouver’s West End to the downtown campus of SFU, taking a bus to the Vancouver-City Centre stop for the line.
“It’s kind of an enjoyable trip in the sense that I get to see that transit culture in action, which I kind of enjoy.”
He also uses it to get to Vancouver City Hall, the airport, and has used it to go for dim sum at the critically acclaimed Chinese restaurants in Richmond.
His one big criticism: No station in the midst of the shops, restaurants and other businesses of bustling Cambie Village.
“Particularly after the hardship they went through, it would have made sense,” he said.
Mr. Price has been using the line to get from his home in Vancouver’s West End to the downtown campus of SFU, taking a bus to the Vancouver-City Centre stop for the line.
You’ve been doing what? Your office is next to Harbour Centre, right? Are you riding the Canada Line from City Centre to Waterfront and then walking? Do you do this even when you just want to get there, and are not in the mood for an improving civic experience?
Good to see that the line is averaging almost 93,000 riders a day and occassionally tops 100,000 riders a day.
(ie. compare to ridership on Seattle’s Link LRT line)
I am with Jarrett on this one.
That’s about a three or four block walk, and going down into the station, then waiting a minute or two, then climbing back up to street level at the Watefront station would significantly add to the amount of time required to make this trip at a normal walking pace.
One question, as well. What IS the actual ridership figure for RAV, or for that matter for Skytrain and WCE? Does anyone really know?
Although I don’t need to use the Canada Line for commuting I do enjoy using it to go to Richmond which I almost never did before it opened. I’ve used it twice for airport trips for flights — fantastic — from my Yaletown home. Even quick hops to Home Depot on Cambie for household items. Bravo. I only wish the stations were built larger to allow 3 car trains. Also, please, add more ticket machines!!!!!!!