🚀 go-pugleaf

chanp@direct.ca (Patrick Chan) wrote:

>Martin_Williamson@mindlink.bc.ca wrote:

>Isn't that just peak hours?  Or did they change it?

It has been this way for a number of years.

(stuff re updated scheduling info deleted)

>>This would require a vehicle location system.  Something that Transit
>>looked at and shelved due to cost versus return (some 8 million
>>dollars).
>Not really...  the buses are all equipped with some sort of a 2-way
>radio.   They could just patch it into a central dispatch that would
>just update the computers....  much could be automated.

I won't get into the technical aspects of what is required.  With all
due respect, you obviously don't have any idea the amount of
information necessary to form an operating database for the largest
(by area) transit system in Canada.  Also you are not aware of the
computing power necessary to 'just update' the whereabouts of 900-odd
buses.  BC Transit looked at all present AVL (automatic vehicle
location) systems presently in use (including Ottawa's).  The
approximate cost of a system suitable to handle our system, given
terrain, number of vehicles, service area, etc, was approx 8 million.

>The drivers
>could simply call in with whatever problem they encounter and provide
>an estimated delay.

And if the driver estimates incorrectly, then the information has to
be sent out again...and again...etc.  This takes more time, and like
all businesses means more money.  The difference being that the money
comes from the public purse.

>If they need additional revenue, maybe adopting OC Transpo's $56 tickets
>for everything from walking/driving in the bus lane to fare cheating
>could be an option.

BC Transit Security already issues tickets for fare fraud.  Many of
those are tied up in our already clogged court system.

Driving in the bus lane is a municipal area of policing (VPD, RCMP,
etc).  Jurisdictional problems have arisen in these areas.