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Links and tidbits for June 7, 2012

Links and tidbits for June 7, 2012

Michael Schabas sent us renderings of Expo Line SkyTrain stations. He mentioned that he was the design coordinator involved with the Main Street, Waterfront, Burrard, Granville, Statium and New Westminister stations. Illustration by Ron Love.
  • The New York Subway map has mistakes. Or are they mistakes by design? This is an issue its creators can’t seem to agree on. My questions are: Does a transit map need to depict the geography 100%? Or is it okay for the map to just accurately depict the transit system? This is a debate many transit authorities are having.
  • Have Americans forgotten how to walk? This Slate article claims they have. One reason given is that walking is so obvious that people forget to do it. Have we in Metro Vancouver also forgotten how to walk? I’m curious to read your thoughts!
  • TransLink is one of five transit agencies  (and the only Canadian one) used as an example in this research document on how social media can be used by a transit agency.
  • There’s a new bus serving Vancouver-Seattle-Portland with fares starting at $1 starting May 31st. It seems like there are very few $1 fares, but regular fares appear to be very reasonable.
  • Here’s one person’s account on how they are living car-free in Surrey.
Michael Schabas also sent this image of Waterfront Station. Illustration by Ron Love.
  • Gordon Price points out that during a recent talk by real estate superstar Bob Rennie, Rennie mentioned that proximity to transit will be the big factor that new home buyers in the region will be looking for. Here’s the quote: “In the ’70s and ’80s, it was location, location, location. In the ’90s  through mid-’2000s, it was timing, timing, timing. And from here forward, it’s  transit, transit, transit.”
  • A new book on transit around the world, Straphanger, rates transit in Vancouver highly. I haven’t had a chance to read it yet. Have any of you?
  • There’s was some new public art under the Cambie Street Bridge. It isn’t part of any official art on the Canada Line, but it’s kinda cool.
  • Michael Schabas sent in some drawings of the Expo Line. I really love the one of Burrard Station He was a design coordinator on a number of stations. Thanks for those, Michael!
  • Invisible bikes in China. Not much more can be said, but they sure look cool!
  • About once a month, I receive an email regarding the board game “Vancouver Buses.” I wrote about the game in the Back Issues section of the February Buzzer. Sheila Kirkby of Vancouver sent us some photos of the game. She said she played it when she was a kid!
  • This neat blurred image of a train on the Canada Line was tweeted by Lorenzo Lindo.
  • Transit ridership is up 5% in U.S. this year. Ridership was also up in Canada last year. Do any of you have any guesses for ridership numbers in the future?
  • Vancouver may not be the only city in Canada with a rapid transit system connecting the airport to the city. Montreal is looking to build transit to the airport as well.
Vancouver Buses board game
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