🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <4mlht5$k9l@nntp.ucs.ubc.ca>, struelle@unixg.ubc.ca (Steve
Ruelle) wrote:
 
> Airport:  2 buses, #404 and #100.  One goes to Richmond, and the other 
> goes to New West.  Has BC Transit ever thought of putting in an EXPRESS 
> BUS to downtown?  After all, that's where the majority of tourists are 
> headed for.

Private service to the airport (those big green busses) takes people from
most downtown hotels, and other private hotel busses take most of the
rest.  Transit *might* appeal to the regular commuter, but I suspect that
the market segment is so small that it is not a rational concern.

> Ferries:  2 buses, #404 and #640.  This is where B.C. Transit really 
> needs to improve.  First of all, the 404 and 640 both leave on the hour.  
> What the hell is that for?  Why not stagger the buses so that the 404 and 
> 640 provide half-hourly service from the ferries.  It really pisses 
> people off when they miss BOTH busses after their ferry is late and have 
> to wait another hour when they shouldn't.  Also, the ferry bus should go 
> express to/from downtown so people don't have to get off at Ladner 
> Exchange and transfer.  This just makes the #601 bus more crowded.  N.B.  
> The 601 is a Vancouver express bus which goes from South Delta to 
> Downtown and back.

The *major* influx of passengers comes off the Swartz Bay arrivals.  The
off-season 640's meet those, and on-season the 404 is extended to the
ferry.  In addition, overload busses are provided on Fridays and Sundays
during the "on" season.  During heavy traffic, a supervisor is on scene to
ensure that meets are met and more service is made available whne
necessary.  Also, there is the downtown to downtown service provided by
PCL I believe.  It picks up at transfer points on Cambie Street for the
ferry.

> Universities:  Transit to UBC and SFU is mediocre, but nowhere near 
> acceptable.  
> 
> Improvements: 
> 1) Stagger the buses leaving campus (every 2 
> minutes or so) so you don't get a whole slew of buses leaving every ten 
> minutes and then nothing for another ten minutes.

The reason they don't stagger is so that meets can be made.  Service is
measured at capacity per hour, not in specific arrival or departure times.

> 2) Ensure that the buses show up!  Countless times has a bus run been 
> cancelled and many people just left standing at the bus stop wondering 
> when their bus will every come.  The #49 bus is famous for this.

No problem.  Simply make sure that each bus is duplicated "just in case"
to allow for mechanical failure, human failure or heavy traffic problems. 
That way wew can pay people and invest in equipment to stand by in case
the scheduled service is delayed.  And if the bus does show up, the
standby can go home. Silly. :-(

> 3) GET MORE BUSES!!!!!!!!

The Ten Year Plan addresses this.

> 4) Improve university transit service on weekends.

Increase fares to pay for more service with less utilization?

> : As for the new buses...well...at least they get you to where you're
> : going....providing you have the patience to wait for 1/2 hour to 1
> : hour to take the stupid thing!!!!!
> 
> Only that long?  It's more like 2 hours :)

Public transit is not supposed to meet or exceed each and every individual
need in any city.  That's why taxi service exists, and that's why some
people chose to drive cars.  If what is there does not meet your needs,
why not write or call BC Transit and see what can be done to accommodate
your concerns.  If they can't do it, try an alternative.  BC Transit
surveys passengers every year, and has statistics to show where it is
rated high and where it is rated low.  They work on the shortcomings and
keep things going where they are acceptable.  And all this within the
framework of a budget that is subsidized by the taxpayer.

If it can't meet your needs, find a better way!  That's free enterprise
and your right as a citizen.

=====================================================================
George Johansen - johansen@portal.ca

The opinions expressed here are not necessarily the official 
platform or policy of any political party or company.
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