TransLink (Vancouver)

TransLink, officially known as the Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority, is a transportation organization that services transportation needs of the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) in British Columbia, Canada.

TransLink was created in 1998 by the Government of British Columbia to replace BC Transit in the GVRD, and take over many of the transportation responsibilities that previously were responsibilities of the provincial government. It is responsible for various modes of transportation in the Greater Vancouver Area. Some of these operations extend into the Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD).

Transit

Buses

Buses are operated by two companies in Greater Vancouver. Coast Mountain Bus Company (a subsidiary of TransLink) operates regular transit buses—powered by diesel or natural gas—in most of the region's municipalities, as well as trolleybuses primarily within the City of Vancouver. The District Municipality of West Vancouver owns and operates the Blue Bus system serving West Vancouver and Lions Bay. The schedules, fares, and routes of both of these systems are integrated with the other transit systems by TransLink.

Within the City of Vancouver, buses run on a grid system, with most trolleybus routes operating radially out of Downtown and along north-south arteries, and most diesel buses providing east-west crosstown service (with the University of British Columbia (UBC) as their western terminus). Outside of the city boundaries, most buses operate on a hub-and-spoke system along feeder routes that connect with SkyTrain, SeaBus, or West Coast Express, or with express bus routes that travel directly to Downtown Vancouver or to other regional centres.

Three high-capacity, high-frequency B-Line express routes use diesel articulated buses, rounding out the interregional backbone provided by SkyTrain, SeaBus, and West Coast Express. (For more information, see 97 B-Line, 98 B-Line, or 99 B-Line.)

The electric trolley buses operate on major routes in the city of Vancouver with one route extending to neighbouring Burnaby. Most trolley bus routes in Vancouver operate in a north-south direction. They get electricity from an extensive network of overhead wires. Beginning in the fall of 2006, TransLink will begin operating a new generation of electric trolley buses, replacing the existing models built in the early 1980s. The new trolley buses will have low floors, replacing the existing high-floor models, and will be fully wheelchair-accessible.

Many of the local routes are run with buses manufactured by New Flyer, a company based in Winnipeg. The longer suburban routes depend on Orion coaches with high-back seats and luggage racks. In addition, there are a few diesel-electric hybrid buses and natural-gas buses that are undergoing testing, with an additional order of natural-gas buses scheduled for delivery in mid-2006.

See also: List of bus routes in Greater Vancouver.

SkyTrain

Main article: SkyTrain (Vancouver)

Originally completed in 1985 as a transit showcase for Expo 86, the SkyTrain automated light rail network has become an important transportation system. SkyTrain's Expo Line now operates from downtown Vancouver through southern Burnaby, New Westminster, and into Surrey. There was further expansion in the completion of the Millennium Line (opened in 2002), linking eastern New Westminster and northern Burnaby to Vancouver. The line was also expected to eventually branch north-east through Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam, but this proposal has since been replaced with plans for the Evergreen Line, a street-level light rail line. SkyTrain is operated by British Columbia Rapid Transit Company Ltd., a subsidiary of TransLink.

The Canada Line (formerly known as the Richmond-Airport-Vancouver Line), currently being built, will run underground through the city and then along an elevated guideway on two branches, one to Richmond and one terminating at Vancouver International Airport; since it will not be using linear induction motors it will not bear the SkyTrain name, thus will use different trains incompatible with the existing SkyTrain network. The new line will not share track or tunnels with the existing SkyTrain network, but it will connect with SkyTrain at Waterfront Station in Downtown Vancouver.

Commuter rail

West Coast Express is a commuter railway connecting Vancouver to communities of the GVRD and FVRD north of the Fraser River to Mission. It is operated by a subsidiary of TransLink.

Ferries

SeaBus is a passenger ferry service across Burrard Inlet between Vancouver and the North Shore municipalities that is operated by Coast Mountain Bus Company and is integrated with the transit system. The Albion ferry is a free automobile ferry service between Langley Township and Maple Ridge across the Fraser River.

Transit fares

Main article: TransLink fares (Vancouver)

Below are the fare prices in Canadian Dollars:

Concession fares apply to children between 5 and 13, seniors 65+, and high school students 14-19 with a valid student identification card from a school in Greater Vancouver (known as GoCard). Children ages 4 and under ride for free. Zone fares apply weekdays before 6:30 pm; during the evening and on weekends, passengers can travel throughout the system on a one-zone fare. University students receive a U-Pass, which is included as part of their school fees and is good for three-zones.

Transit security

TransLink replaced in-house security operations with a full fledged police force in December 2005. The Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority Police Service replaced the former TransLink special constables. The move was not without controversy, as some riders objected to armed officers patrolling the system. A court case in which a woman was awarded $52,000 for allegedly being beaten by a flashlight-wielding officer, in an incident that occurred before the transition, confirmed such fears for some. ^[1] In contrast to the former TransLink specials, GVTAPS Constables have full police powers.

Coast Mountain Bus Company also has its own Security Department. Transit Security Officers are mobile, ride buses, and patrol Translink Properties. They are not the same as the GVTAPS, although they work closely together to ensure a safe Transit system. Transit Security Officers are authorized to arrest persons found committing criminal offences to or on Translink Property. The Security Department will be growing as the 2010 Olympic Winter Games approach.

On November 14, 2006, the Canadian government announced the approval of $37 million for improvements to transit security across Canada, including $9.8 million for the Vancouver area, although no details have been released as to how it will be spent.^[2]

Livery

Shortly after its inception, the TransLink board of directors approved to replace the old colours of BC Transit with TransLink's new blue and yellow colour scheme or livery. It also created brands for all the different services, with them all having different designs but the same colours, with the exception of the West Coast Express. They decided against changing the purple to blue since it was close enough with the yellow, and the purple and yellow creates a premium branding over the blue and yellow. Repainting all the vehicles has not incurred any additional costs as it is being done during regular maintenance repaints or new vehicle purchases. As of when it was approved, TransLink estimated it would take until the end of the year 2007 before the entire fleet was be converted to the new livery.

Roads

TransLink is also responsible for the major road network in the Lower Mainland. This is generally the major (non-highway) arteries that are used by those going from one municipality to another. This includes 2,200 lane km of roadways and the Knight Street Bridge, Pattullo Bridge, Westham Island Bridge and the future Golden Ears Bridge. For major projects, Translink co-ordinates and funds the projects. For minor projects, Translink contributes half of the costs of projects which are spearheaded by municipalities, up to the maximum funding allocated to the specific municipality.

Transit-related improvements

A growing network of cycling paths exists throughout the region. Translink allocates each city funding for transit capital improvements such as transit priority signals, queue-jumping lanes for buses, and bus lanes. Translink contributes half of the costs of projects which are spearheaded by municipalities, up to the maximum funding allocated to the specific municipality.

Cycling

Translink allocates each city funding for cycling capital improvements such as bike paths on matching system. Translink contributes half of the costs of projects which are spearheaded by municipalities, up to the maximum funding allocated to the specific municipality.

Translink provides online maps of the area's cycling network on its website.

Many buses operated by Translink already have bike racks and the whole bus fleet will eventually have bike racks. Bikes are also allowed on the Seabus. Bikes are allowed on Skytrain except during rush hour in the peak direction (inbound to Vancouver in the morning rush hour, outbound from Vancouver in the evening rush hour).

Emission control

AirCare is a regionally mandated automobile emissions program and is operated by a subsidiary of TransLink. Translink plans to phase out the program by 2011.

Accessibility

Though there have been improvements, wheelchair-accessibility remains a problem on parts of the system. Accessibility issues will become particularly important for the company with the hosting of the Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. Consequently, Translink has undertaken the Access Transit Project with a final report due to the Translink board in mid 2006.

Buses

Currently, while most diesel buses on regular routes are accessible by specially designed lifts or ramps, some bus stops are considered inaccessible if there is deemed to be insufficient room to deploy the lifts/ramps, and some trips on some routes are run as non-accessible for various reasons. Occasional equipment problems have been an issue as well.

In addition, some wheelchair users have complained that drivers sometimes fail to board wheelchairs before other passengers, which results in difficulties boarding, turning, and parking in the designated wheelchair areas. Since there is only space for two wheelchairs on each accessible bus, and since the wheelchair area is also used for walkers and baby strollers, at busy times wheelchair users sometimes have to wait for several buses to go by before they can board.

The introduction of the new fare boxes on all the buses also met with complaints from many wheelchair users, since their size and placement makes it difficult for users of certain types of chairs or electric scooters to manoeuvre around them.

In August 2006, TransLink began replacing its entire fleet of inaccessible electric trolley buses with low-floor trolley buses: 188 standard 12.2 metre (40 foot) vehicles. In mid 2008, it will introduce 40 articulated 18.3 metre (60 foot) buses. Since these buses are the only transit vehicles that cover certain routes, including almost the entire West End, most of Downtown, and several major transit corridors, this means that entire areas are without accessible transit, and people with mobility problems must use taxis or HandyDART (see below) or go far out of their way as a result.

SkyTrain

While all SkyTrain vehicles are themselves accessible (each older Mark I car has one wheelchair designated spot, the newer Mark II cars have two), three SkyTrain stations are not fully accessible. The stations with accessibility issues are Columbia Station and Scott Road Station. Beginning in April 2006, Sapperton Station is not accessible due to construction of near-by residential building, which will close the station entrance ramp (but not the stairs) for twelve to fourteen months.

Elevator problems have also been a concern, with work on elevators at some stations making them inaccessible for up to a month at a time. In addition, while many of the elevators at the new stations along the Millennium Line are bright and glass enclosed, some elevators at older stations are small, dark, and removed from main entrances and exits, giving rise to concerns for personal safety.

HandyDART

HandyDART is a supplementary system that provides transit to those who are unable to use the regular system due to mobility problems or a lack of accessible transit. HandyDART service is operated by seven different contractors in Greater Vancouver, which are generally not-for-profit corporations.

HandyDART users must apply for a pass, and must also pay for each trip. Trip must be pre-booked, up to one week in advance, and are subject to availability for the desired time. Each contractor operates regionally, meaning that it is not always possible to take HandyDART for the entire intended trip (for example, from Burnaby to Vancouver), but only part way. In addition, some riders have been refused permission to use the system as they have been deemed "too independent."

TransLink board of directors

The TransLink board is made up of 12 members appointed by the Greater Vancouver Regional District, representing the municipalities in the Greater Vancouver. The provincial government has the option of appointing three members to the board as well, but in 2001 the incumbent appointees resigned, citing conflict of interest with their positions as members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. Since that time, the provincial government has declined to name any representatives to the board.

The current members of the board, appointed on January 6, 2006, are:

• Mayor Kurt Alberts, Langley Township
• Councillor Suzanne Anton, Vancouver
• Mayor Malcolm Brodie, Richmond (chair)
• Mayor Derek Corrigan, Burnaby
• Councillor Marvin Hunt, Surrey
• Councillor Peter Ladner, Vancouver
• Mayor Sam Sullivan, Vancouver
• Mayor Joe Trasolini, Port Moody
• Mayor Maxine Wilson, Coquitlam
• Mayor Dianne Watts, Surrey
• Mayor Richard Walton, North Vancouver District
• Mayor Scott Young, Port Coquitlam

The conflicting interests of the board members, whose primary responsibility is to the electors in their municipality, often causes problems. Most board members are from suburban municipalities, whereas the heaviest transit users are in the City of Vancouver. Citizens of all GVRD municipalities fund Translink through their fuel and property taxes, while citizens of the City of Vancouver, due higher population densities, enjoy many more transit routes as well as much more frequent transit service than citizens living outside the city. As a result of the conflict, the provincial government decided to evaluate the structure of the board and to produce a report with recommendations on improving governance. This report has not yet been completed.

2007 reorganization

On March 8, 2007, BC Minister of Transportation Kevin Falcon announced a restructuring of TransLink. Major changes include new revenue generating measures, a restructuring of the executive of the body, and increases in the area under TransLink's jurisdiction.^[3][4]

The reorganized TransLink will feature the following characteristics^[4]:

• Be given the authority to generate revenue by controlling development of land near and around transit stations, including overriding local municipal land use planning;
• The current board will be replaced by a "Council of Mayors" from the municipalities in the area served by TransLink, a board of non-political experts appointed by the provincial government, and an Independent Commissioner of Translink appointed by the "Council of Mayors"
• The Provincial Government will set the regional transportation vision
• The Board will guide the operation of Translink as per the 3 and 10 year transportation plans. They will also develop the options for 3 year and 10 year plans; one option will be a base option which maintains the status quo
• The "Council of Mayors" will vote on which 3 year and 10 year transportation plan options to adopt. Mayors will receive one vote per 20,000 people or portion thereof in their jurisdiction.
• The Translink Independent Commissioner will ensure that the Translink's 3 and 10 year transportation plans are consistent with the regional transportation vision set by the Provincial Government.
• TransLink's jurisduction is initially planned to be expanded with the inclusion of Mission, Abbotsford, and Squamish. In the long-term, this may be expanded to include the area along the Sea-to-Sky Highway as far north as Pemberton and east into the Fraser Valley to Hope.
• Translink will be funded using an approximate ratio of 1/3 of revenue from fuel taxes, 1/3 of revenue from property taxes, and 1/3 of revenue from other non-government sources (e.g. fares, advertising, property development)
• Translink will be able increase funding from fuel tax from 12 cents per litre to 15 cents per litre
• Translink will increase funding by raising property taxes, parking sales taxes, and other sources of revenues (e.g. fares, property development)
• Translink will eliminate the parking tax (different from parking sales tax) and BC Hydro transportation levy
• AirCare will be removed from the scope of Translink and will become the responsibility of the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD)
• The Provincial Government will continue to contribute toward rapid transit projects, but funding will be contingent on municipalities increasing the zone for population density around the planned rapid transit stations

Falcon had previously called the current board "dysfunctional"^[4] and also that the members of the board of directors were too focused on the interests of their own municipality instead of the broader interests of the GVRD.^[5] According to Falcon, the board of directors had "...no ability there to develop the skill-set to understand major, multi-billion projects."^[5]

New Democratic Party of British Columbia critic David Chudnovsky responded, saying that the idea was "ludicrous" and that, according to him, the purpose of the reorganization was "to get power away from our elected municipal politicians because once in a while they disagree with the aggressive privatization agenda of Mr. Falcon".^[4] Chudnovsky was also worried about the consequences of a property development slowdown.

References

1. ^ [1]
2. ^ [2]
3. ^ "Translink Governance Review".
4. ^ ^{a b c d} "Major TransLink overhaul coming", CBC. Retrieved on March 7, 2007.
5. ^ ^{a b} "TransLink shake-up in the works", CBC. Retrieved on March 7, 2007.

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