Typical for Vancouver-- only 23 years LATE!

[Panama Jack]

Imagine, they are patting themselves on their own backs. Pathetic!!!
Canada Line opens three months ahead

CANADA:The Canada Line, linking Richmond, Vancouver International (YVR) Airport and downtown Vancouver, officially opens today, Monday 17 August, with a Fare Free Day from 1-9pm (local time).

Originally scheduled for completion and service commencement for November 30, 2009, The Canada Line opened it doors to the public, on budget, more than 3 months ahead of schedule.

“Some 300 volunteers will be on hand at the stations to help people get to where they need to go. Trains will run approximately 4 minutes apart. Every station will offer some entertainment to the passengers and a chance to get the special Canada Line Passport stamped to win prizes,” said Metro Vancouver’s regional transportation authority TransLink representatives.

YVR Airport will invite the commuters to check out the new public observation deck.

The Canada Line will begin full revenue service Tuesday, August 18, with the first train leaving Waterfront at 4:50 am and Richmond-Brighouse at 5:05 am; then, as promised since construction began, about every four to eight minutes after that.


Canada Line Facts:



Canada Line adds 16 new stations and 19 km automated rail-based rapid transit system to the SkyTrain network.
The Canada Line is expected to support up to 100, 000 passengers per day.
With speed of up to 80 kilometres per hour, the Canada Line train can accommodate up to 400 passengers.
The train cars are air conditioned and built with ample room to store the luggage. Wide aisles between seats and walkway assure smooth passenger flow.
All Canada Line train cars are equipped with a passenger silent alarm and emergency passenger operated intercom.
Each train can carry two bicycles (one per train car), in all directions during all hours of operation, as long as space is available. Plus, stations will be equipped with bike racks and lockers.
There is phone coverage all along the line – even underground.
All Canada Line stations are wheelchair-accessible.
The 16 Stations were grouped into 4 design families to reflect the distinct characteristics of the neighbourhoods in which they reside.
Bridgeport Station Park and Ride has 600 parking stalls available during rush hour for commuters that use their car for a portion of their trip. Cost is $2.00 per stall.
PROTRANS BC is the private operator of the Canada Line and is owned by SNC-Lavalin Inc., Canadian design, construction and operation company.

[golden hawk]

Is there another Canadian city where you can take a subway downtown from the airport?

[sky's the limit]

Is there another Canadian city where you can take a subway downtown from the airport?

Beat me to it....

Late is better than never....

stl

[ScudRunner]

The Calgary C-Train is going to connect to the Airport by 2023!!!!! or sometime there after........
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C-Train

http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/2010 ... id=1894556

The new Canada Line, which will cost a two-zone fare to the airport, carries two distinctions: It’s the biggest infrastructure project to be built in B.C., and it makes Vancouver the first city in Canada to have a rapid transit line to the airport.

wow thats so sad on so many levels. Can't believe it would take much in Montreal to Connect it or do they still have plans for YMX

[C-FABH]

Is there another Canadian city where you can take a subway downtown from the airport?

I was once asked for directions to the "train to downtown" by a pair of German tourists that had just arrived at YYZ.

Nearly hurt myself laughing.

[iflyforpie]

wow thats so sad on so many levels. Can't believe it would take much in Montreal to Connect it or do they still have plans for YMX

I thought they were planning to have air connections to YMX. It's far enough.

What about Edmonton and Leduc? At least Calgary put their airport in city limits!

Richmond! Remember what happened to Surrey 20 years ago when the SkyBridge went in? Now it's your turn! (maniacal laughter).

[moocow]

Ummm sky rocketing break & entering and drug dealing? None of the stations have gates, I can't believe they build the new stations like that even after those Translink idiots went all the way to Europe to study the use of gates (ok that's just stupid and waste of money). Now those jerks can target slightly richer tourists on the new rail line.

[Panama Jack]

Is there another Canadian city where you can take a subway downtown from the airport?

Well, in that case I guess it is the time & place for a rewording. . . .

"A GREAT LEAP FORWARD for a Developing Country!" or "The leading city in a backward country!"

Still, pathetic, and about 23 years late. For all the hoopla dished about about Skytrain as part of Expo 86, where the theme was "Transportation and Communication," they neglected then, and for almost 2 decades, to link transportation systems. As for the rest of Canadian airports and their rapid transit links with downtown, still not even out of the gate. An especially despicable situation for Montreal and Toronto.

Sorry, no applause from me. Just a deep sigh with the word "FINALLY" uttered . . . and a wakeup call for the GTA and Montreal.

[TG]

Can't believe it would take much in Montreal to Connect it or do they still have plans for YMX

Actually they were having plans:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montr%C3%A ... al_Airport

A train station was also built in the basement for the planned TRRAMM service, right below the main passenger concourse. Today, it is used as an employee parking lot.
---
High-speed rail transit (the system was to be capable of speeds from 100 to 120 km/h (60 to 75 mph) for the Montréal-Mirabel run), initially to be called TRRAMM (Transport Rapide Régional Aéroportuaire Montréal-Mirabel), was intended to be completed at a later date. However, it never got beyond the drawing board. The TRRAMM system was also intended to eventually be expanded to other parts of the Montréal region. The major stumbling block for the TRRAMM project was funding.

And then, there is those who are not missing funding.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubai_Metro

[wallypilot]

Ummm sky rocketing break & entering and drug dealing? None of the stations have gates, I can't believe they build the new stations like that even after those Translink idiots went all the way to Europe to study the use of gates (ok that's just stupid and waste of money). Now those jerks can target slightly richer tourists on the new rail line.

apparently there will be turnstiles, although why they didn't install them during original construction, i'll never know. Apparently the whole system is getting them by 2011....however, I wholeheartedy agree with your sentiments.

In the spirit of the original post, I must concur that it is rather shocking how little political(read: public) will there is around building integrated transportation systems. I think it points to how little most Canadians (North Americans in general) travel outside thier own continent to places other than mexican beaches. If people could just spend a month in a city such as Paris, London, barcelona, among many others, they would be amazed how much easier it is to get around the city in the subway than in a car.

I personally rode the Canada Line yesterday, and must admit it's a nice system, smooth, quiet, fast. I went from Marine drive to City Center Station downtown in about 10 minutes. In my car, even without traffic it's at least 15min....it's a great addition to the city's transportation network, but as PJ says, "it's about time!" Now for the western extension to the millenium line....and we will have something resembling a modern public transit system....

[SeptRepair]

In the spirit of the original post, I must concur that it is rather shocking how little political(read: public) will there is around building integrated transportation systems. I think it points to how little most Canadians (North Americans in general) travel outside thier own continent to places other than mexican beaches. If people could just spend a month in a city such as Paris, London, barcelona, among many others, they would be amazed how much easier it is to get around the city in the subway than in a car.

I too am convinced the subway system is a great way to get around. I was in Sidney Australia earlier this year and had a lay over there for 6 hrs. I had a once in a life time chance to go see the Opera house so I walked to the end of the arrival area, went downstairs and hoped on a subway that took me directly to the downtown core and a 5 minute walk to the Opera house. Spent the afternoon being a tourist and took the train back to the airport. I was amazed how easy and quick it was to do. As well, I was equally impressed on how safe I felt and how clean it was kept. Im glad to see Vancouver has finally joined the ranks.

[iflyforpie]

Still, pathetic, and about 23 years late. For all the hoopla dished about about Skytrain as part of Expo 86, where the theme was "Transportation and Communication," they neglected then, and for almost 2 decades, to link transportation systems.

Probably has something to do with the sponsors. Like CP. Hmm, why didn't CP endorse a line to the airport, with CP Air being a major carrier in YVR?

Well, CP Air was up to its eyeballs in debt and was sold a year later to PWA and the rest is history (or maybe not, I'm sure some of CPA's skeletons are rattling around in Big Red's closet).

But for the Expo line, CP had the right of way, the tunnel, (pretty neat how they put the line through by the way. I always wondered why the platform was on the same side eastbound and westbound at Burrard and Granville) and the downtown station. I'm sure they did pretty well on the venture, and left CP Air to wither and die.

[Four1oh]

Jeebus. Even a 10 year old kid playing Sim City would put a rail line from the airport to downtown. Makes you wonder. Makes me now wonder if that game even exists anymore. Damn.

[Panama Jack]

Somebody mentioned Mexico. Yet Mexico City has a fantastic light rail system-- clean, modern, efficient . . . and inexpensive (and it goes to the airport too):




Total length of Mexico City subway is now 201.7 km. That does not include a light rail line serving the southern part of the city (18 stations, 18 km. from Tasqueña to Embarcadero).

Number of lines: 11 - all rubber tyred like some lines in Paris and the metros of Montréal and Santiago de Chile; except Line A which has standard steel rail). Except for line 1, all lines have some surface section, and line 4 is entirely on the surface.

The first system that uses symbols and colors for identifying stations.

The Mexico City metro is the cheapest subway system in the world, and it has one of the biggest transfer stations in the world: Pantitlán, terminus of lines 1, 5, 9, A, and tens of local bus lines.

[iflyforpie]

Another one I was impressed with was Seoul's. 287 total kms!



When I was there it didn't go to the airport (Line 5), but was impressive none the less. In spite of everything being in Hangul, I only got lost once; and this was my first time outside of North America!

[Guido]

My particular favourites are in Madrid and Barcelona - they get you everywhere you need to go - when I was in Spain I found myself taking the metro anytime we needed to go more than a few blocks because they were so regular and fast!

[ajet32]

Berlin, Frankfurt, Amsterdam/Schipol, Brussels, I'm sure I am missing some. Those are the ones I have used in the last 3 years to travel from Airport to City Centre. Are we missing the boat or what!

[joco]

Also Vienna, Austria has a rapid 16 min non stop rail train from the Airport underground to the downtown into the subway system. It is called CAT www.cityairporttrain.com
It is very clean and comfortable. I have used it several times including this year.

[enbt]

My girlfriend dropped me off at the seabus in north van this morning and I was at the airport in well under an hour. Seamless connections, no waits, cheap....I was pretty impressed. It's still got that new rapid transit line smell to it too. Better late than never I guess. It's still on time for the olympics.....oh wait, it's 3 months early. And on budget but I guess we won't talk about any of that.

[moocow]

Funny how you mentioned the smell of the new train. Another person said how nice it is compared to SkyTrain. Oh just you wait.

[Panama Jack]

Seems like the rest of Canada is starting to wake up . . . after a long slumber:

CANADA: Another great opening of Canada’s transportation system is welcoming travellers. The new U.S. departures area at Montréal-Trudeau Airport is scheduled to open for Wednesday 19 August 2009.

After the launch of the Canada Line to Vancouver International Airport, Montreal sent its greetings with a hint of jealousy.

A rail link to Montreal airport has been in discussion for many years, and airport authority is ‘very, very eager to see things move forward', cites the Canadian press.

“Montreal's Trudeau International Airport is close to downtown but there's only one practical way to go between the destinations: by car, shuttle or taxi. A rail link to Trudeau has been under discussion for decades”, writes The Globe and Mail.

According to the airport, the market share of public transit (mainly bus) among passengers is less than 3%.

The new departures area at Montréal-Trudeau Airport would be the last major step in the airport’s transformation.

“Besides boosting departure capacity for United States-bound flights, this new facility simplifies passengers’ route through the terminal. In addition, redevelopment of the former U.S. departures area will allow us to progressively add departure capacity for international and domestic flights in the existing central terminal building,” says ADM President and CEO James Cherry.

With a floor area of more than 18,000 square metres, the departures hall is equipped with 58 traditional check-in counter stations and 48 self-serve check-in kiosks, which represents 50% greater capacity.

Approximately 1.5 million departing passengers are expected to use the new area each year.

The building also houses an underground parking lot with 500 spaces on three levels, and has room for the future rail-shuttle station as well as ADM administrative offices.

A Steering Committee composed of the main project partners has been established and tasked with setting out directions for the project and approving all budgets, deadlines, financing, studies and reports.

According to The Globe and Mail, the steering committee is supposed to announce the route for the Montreal link by the end of this year but the trains won’t start rolling for at least five years.

Any word from the self-proclaimed "Centre of the Universe"?

[fogghorn]

Funny how you mentioned the smell of the new train. Another person said how nice it is compared to SkyTrain. Oh just you wait.

the stench will rise up soon enough - too bad more of the train could not have gone underground so as not to be such a blight on the eyes. It's also wrecked havoc with business all over the place - maybe the hst will go toward the cost of law suits. Bring on the Zalm

[moocow]

This is going to end up badly anyway. Translink is already planning to can all the Richmond to Vancouver bus lines and force people on the new Canada Line. How much capacity does this thing have? There are tons of people on the bus already and I seriously doubt the new Canada Line can take all the people.

[taylor498]

This is going to end up badly anyway. Translink is already planning to can all the Richmond to Vancouver bus lines and force people on the new Canada Line. How much capacity does this thing have? There are tons of people on the bus already and I seriously doubt the new Canada Line can take all the people.

From the orginal post:

The Canada Line is expected to support up to 100,000 passengers per day.
With speed of up to 80 kilometres per hour, the Canada Line train can accommodate up to 400 passengers.

In peak times the train leaves every 4 minutes from Bridgeport (terminus for all the bus lines that used to go right into Vancouver)

Doing some quick math, that's
60/4= 15 trains/hr, so 15*400=6000 pax per hour, per direction, comfortably. I found numbers online for crush capacities of up to 668 pax per train, which would be 10,020 pax per hour per direction. (not sure how reliable these "crush" numbers are)

The Canada Line will provide additional capacity equivalent to 10 arterial road lanes in a dense corridor where expanding roads and bridges is neither practical nor desirable. This additional capacity will address congestion and make commutes more manageable, boosting the region's livability, sustainability and competitiveness.

Another point is that they busses will be off the roads, leaving some space for everyone else.