Burnaby Village Museum interurban anniversary

B.C. Electric's interurban train 1223 circa 1930. Image 204-375 courtesy of the City of Burnaby Archives.

We’re very pleased to welcome Lisa Codd back to the blog. Lisa is the fantastic curator at the Burnaby Village Museum & Carousel. Readers of the blog will remember Lisa from her great help with the past posts on women in transit, interurbans and the history of the Pattullo Bridge.

A Century of Service: Four Metro Vancouver transit artifacts celebrate 100 years – by Lisa Codd

A century ago, in 1912, the B.C. Electric Railway Company placed an order with the St. Louis Car Company in St. Louis, Missouri to purchase 28 passenger cars for use in the Vancouver and Fraser Valley regions.

The BCER had been operating in this region since 1897, when it bought out a group of investors who owned streetcar lines in Vancouver and New Westminster, and an interurban line built in 1891 that connected the two cities. The BCER invested in expansion of the system, and by 1912, this region’s street railway was by far the largest in the country, with over 200 miles of track (Winnipeg was a distant second with 80 miles).

Up until 1912, the BCER had built their cars locally in a shop in New Westminster. But in 1912, they decided to purchase the cars rather than build them themselves, probably because their shop was not set up to build steel-framed cars, which provided more safety to passengers in the event of an accident.

The St. Louis Car Company was a major manufacturer of streetcars and interurban trams from 1887 to 1973. They built vehicles for some of the major transit systems in North America, including New York City and Chicago.

The cars entered service in 1913, and ran throughout the Lower Mainland for 45 years. In the 1950s, electric railway service was replaced by buses. The 1223 was retired from service in 1958. It was one of only ten B.C. Electric Railway cars that were saved from destruction. The 1223 became the property of the Burnaby Historical Society, who put it on display at Edmonds Loop. Today, the restored tram car is housed at the Burnaby Village Museum.

Sister cars to the 1223 include the 1225 owned by the Fraser Valley Heritage Railway Society, the 1231 operated by the Transit Museum Society in Vancouver, and the 1220 currently being restored by the Richmond Museum.

To celebrate this anniversary, the Burnaby Village Museum has organized a programme of expert speakers who will provide fascinating looks into the history of electric railway transportation, as well as the possibilities of reviving the system for future use. It’s called “Going Electric” and it is scheduled for September 29 at the Burnaby Village Museum.

More information is available on the Museum’s website:

In addition to the lecture series, the Burnaby Village Museum will be open to the public on September 29th and 30th from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm, to celebrate Burnaby’s transportation heritage. The Museum’s exhibits will be open, including the Interurban 1223 tram barn, and activities, entertainment, and demonstrations will take place throughout the site.

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TransLink’s draft 2013 Base Plan

The draft 2013 Base Plan

Today, TransLink has released a very important document that lays out our plan for the next three years of transit in Metro Vancouver. Our draft 2013 Base Plan is a blueprint for transit planning, funding and servicing.

We’ve talked about the financial challenges TransLink is facing of late on the blog. The 2013 draft Base Plan provides specifics on how,

“Translink’s Board of Directors remain focused on delivering the best possible transportation system to the public, while making the most of every dollar we have.” – Nancy Olewiler, Chair of TransLink’s Board of Directors. Read more »

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Exhibit of Angus McIntyre’s historical transit photos starts on September 16, 2012

Photo by Angus McIntyre

Keith Daubenspeck (Seattle Transit driver), Angus McIntyre and Brian Kelly about to head out for a fan trip with Brill trolleybus 2031 at Oakridge Transit Centre. (Photo by Wally Young circa 1970.)

Friend of the blog and well known transit figure Angus McIntyre is exhibiting his photos from the late-night shift in East Vancouver.

The photos in Nite Owl were taken between the years of 1973-1976. They capture the time period before the streetcar tracks were removed as well as depict a Vancouver many are forgetting and some never knew.

Check out the Baron Gallery website for more info. Oh, and we’ve written a bunch of posts on Angus, many of which feature his photos. There’s also an interesting podcast Jhen did with Angus exactly 40 years after his first day of work with BC Hydro as a transit operator.

A southbound 8 Davie at Howe and Pender in 1969. Photo by Angus McIntyre!

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Where students can pick up their GoCards

The GoCard rocket pamphlet from the mid-nineties!

This is a quick note to our younger readers about who may not have picked up their GoCards yet.

GoCards are available to full-time public and private school secodary students ages 14 through 19 (inclusive). Students who are in Grades 8 to 12 (inclusive) or enrolled in Grade 8 at the start of the school year are eligible for a GoCard.

GoCards allow students to receive concession fares on the bus, SkyTrain, SeaBus and WestCoast Express.

For students who missed their in-school photo sessions for their cards, they can go to the follow locations and have a GoCard issued immediately within five business days for $11.

Remember, Students must provide a GoCard application from (available at school offices) signed by a school official, as well as proof of age (birth certificate, passport or CareCard).

More info is available here.

Saturday, September 22 – Scott Road SkyTrain Station (bus exchange level) – 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Saturday, September 22 – Coquitlam Centre Bus Exchange – Noon – 2:00 p.m.

Saturday, September 22 – 22255 Dewdney Trunk Road, Maple Ridge (Haney Plaza parking lot) – 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Saturday, September 29 – Lonsdale Quay Bus Exchange – 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Saturday, September 29 – Brentwood Mall Bus Exchange (behind the bus exchange on the mall side of the chain link fence) – Noon – 2:00 p.m.

Saturday, September 29  – Edmond’s Station Bus Exchange – 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 6 – South Arm United Church Parking Lot 11051 No.3 Rd. (@ Steveston) Richmond – 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Saturday, October 6 – Ladner Bus Exchange – Noon – 2:00 p.m.

Saturday, October 6 – Scottsdale Mall (Scott Road parking lot beside McDonald’s and across the street from the Sikh Temple) – 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Saturday, October 13 – Main Street SkyTrain (at street level) – 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Saturday, October 13 – Marine Drive Station (bus exchange near circular sculptures) – Noon – 2:00 p.m.

Saturday, October 13 – Lougheed Town Centre SkyTrain Station (bus exchange level) – 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Saturday, October 20 – Coquitlam Centre Bus Exchange – 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Saturday, October 20 -  Scott Road SkyTrain Station (bus exchange level) – Noon – 2:00 p.m.

Saturday, October 20 – Staples Business Depot Parking Lot (20055 Willowbrook Drive, Langley) – 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Saturday, October 27 – Edmond’s Station Bus Exchange – 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Saturday, October 27 – Brentwood Mall Bus Exchange (behind the bus exchange on the mall side of the chain link fence) – Noon – 2:00 p.m.

Saturday, October 27 – 22255 Dewdney Trunk Road, Maple Ridge (Haney Plaza parking lot) – 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Saturday, November 3 – Lonsdale Quay Bus Exchange – 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Saturday, November 3 – South Arm United Church Parking Lot, 11051 No.3 Rd. (@ Steveston) Richmond- Noon – 2:00 p.m.

Saturday, November 3 – Ladner Bus Exchange – 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Saturday, November 10 – Main Street SkyTrain (at street level) – 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Saturday, November 10 – Marine Drive Station (bus exchange near circular sculptures) – Noon – 2:00 p.m.

Saturday, November 10 – Lougheed Town Centre SkyTrain Station (bus exchange level) – 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Saturday, November 17 – Scottsdale Mall (Scott Road parking lot beside McDonald’s and across the street from the Sikh Temple) – 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Saturday, November 17     Staples Business Depot Parking Lot, 20055 Willowbrook Drive, Langley – Noon – 2:00 p.m

Go get those GoCards students!

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Vancouver Sun article: on TransLink providing quality transit today and looking to the future

One of our busy 99 buses, with a crowd of bikes in front.

The Vancouver Sun published an article today on the present state of TransLink’s operations and future financial challenges.

Our Executive Vice President of Customer and Public Engagement, Bob Paddon and TransLink Board Chair, Nancy Olewiler sat down with The Vancouver Sun’s editorial board and talked with them about  the lack of short and long term funding, halting of any transit expansion (except The Evergreen Line), the possibility of some reduced service, possible reduction of extra buses and recovery time for bus operators, some reduction in SkyTrain requency and the selling off of property in order to “live within our means.”

Our proposed fare increase not being approved by TransLink’s Regional Transportation Commissioner, a resolution by the Mayor’s Council that the  two-year property tax TransLink was going to start to receive in 2013 is no longer available and less gas tax revenue than projected have put TransLink in a challenging position funding wise.

We know that more people are taking public transit in Metro Vancouver than ever before. We also know that many people in Metro Vancouver want quality transit that keeps up with the demand.

We’re interested in what readers think of TransLink’s current funding challenges and how we are planning to deliver what we believe is the best possible service with the funding provided to us.

This is an important subject about an important time for public transit in Metro Vancouver, and something we’ll definitely be talking about more in the near future. We look forward to your thoughts!

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Fun poll results: There’s a lot of nice things people do for each other on transit

Buzzer readers never cease to surprise me. When Jhen posted the last fun poll: what’s the nicest thing another rider has ever done for you?, I expected that one of the non “other” options would garner the largest number of votes.

Well, it turns out there’s a lot of nice stuff fellow transit riders do for each other that we didn’t think of. Here’s a break down of the votes: Other (24 votes), Given up their seat for me when I needed it (18 votes), Stepped off the bus to let me out first (15 votes), Helped me figure out where I was going (10 votes),  Asked the driver to hold the vehicle for me (9 votes).

Here’s some of the “other” niceness Buzzer readers mentioned:

TM had a bunch of nice things to share.

I’ve been helped out quite a few times. I’ve had riders tap me on the shoulder to wake me up at a terminus, or elderly people refusing to take the seat I’ve offered because I’m carrying lots of things. I’ve had my wallet returned to the bus driver before too. Lots of honest and kind people on transit.

Alex Stormhall had a comment about niceness that I can relate to since I can be a tad forgetful.

I never met this person in person, but there was one time where I was on the 321 headed to Newton Exchange, and I was rushing to make my connection with the 301 back to Richmond. In my haste, I had inadvertently left my laptop on the bus! Thankfully, I made it on the next 394 Express to take me to White Rock Centre, as the bus I had gotten off of was a White Rock bus. When I got there, the driver told me that there was a lady who was kind enough to turn in the laptop to him! The drivers on both buses were also very courteous, and helpful, and made an otherwise nerve-wracking experience more bearable.

Marvin B was helped out by a very nice and attentive bus operator.

I once fell asleep on a late night 8 Fraser bus after a particularly long, awful shift. The driver noticed and woke me up somewhere around Kingsway. The driver asked where I wanted to be in case I fell asleep again. I told him 41st Ave. Before we arrived, sure enough I fell asleep again. The driver made sure I got off and didn’t go all the way to Marine Drive. I was extremely thankful!

Holly sounds like one of those friendly people who met some like minded bakers on board the B-Line.

I have a fond memory of exchanging cookie recipes with another passenger and the driver on the B-line. While traveling with my children, I often sit up front and end up in friendly conversations!

Andrew met someone who clearly went above and beyond what many riders who do when they see someone in need.

I was returning some equipment to long & mcquade and someone helped “reload” everything onto me so i could actually make it out the door of the bus.

A.R. had an unexpected experience that was made a lot easier thanks to the kindness and strength of her fellow riders.

My boyfriend and I were on the 99 during rush hour, packed in the area near one of the doors. He complained he wasn’t feeling well and before too long, he fainted. The other guys standing near us grabbed him so he didn’t fall too the ground, while other people shouted to the bus driver to pull over and let us off the bus. He thankfully came to within seconds, but I don’t think I would have been able to catch him on my own! Even on a crowded 99 people are pretty helpful.

Nick commented on something I hear a lot on the bus.

I’ve had people shout (very loudly, I might add) “BACK DOOR!” to the driver when the green light wasn’t lit so that I could exit a bus a couple times. I am quite soft-spoken, so thanks to those folks and the drivers who often apologize for forgetting!

Zack also mentions the “Back Door” phenomenon and kindly worries about the people who make themselves horse to help others alight the bus.

That is the grossest post I’ve ever seen on the Buzzer Blog and should be removed immediately. In terms of the generosity exhibited by fellow passengers, I remember trying desperately exit the rear doors (which were locked) of the 320 bus on front of the superstore on 104th & 146 ave. I tried shouting BACK DOOR! but the driver didn’t listen what’s he sped off, that’s when on man shouted BAAAACK DOOOOOR!!! His voice was loud enough for an immediate reaction by the driver, I thanked the fellow passenger, although at the same time I was worried how all that shouting might have affected his vocal cords.

As always, we really appreciate all of you who took the time to take the poll and share the kindness that others shared you while on transit. Keep that outpouring of kindness flowing everyone! We transit riders need to look out for one another.

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Links and tidbits for September 7, 2012

An interesting piece of subway art from New York based artist: Sophie Blackall. Thanks Translinked for the link!

Here’s another semi-regular roundup of interesting tidbits and links about transportation from the last week or so. If you have links to contribute, put them in the comments or email us!

• A bit of Metro Vancouver rail history is on the move again. Gotta love those interurbans! Thanks again Translinked for the great post!
• Some more love from Translinked. This post is about, Third and St. Davids – a comic cell by legendary underground cartoonist Rand Holmes that has a great image of one of our old buses. And here’s a cool cover of a transit planning pamphlet from 1946.
• Here are some nice twists on the conventional bus stops. I bet Buzzer readers have some other great interesting bus stop links. Please share!
• Wouldn’t if be very romantic/unique to propose to your partner who you met on transit on the very transit where you met? Too late, it’s already been done. Watch the video. Extreme cute alert!
• Frances Bula takes on a transit question in her City Plumber column: Why does West Van operate its own bus system? And did the NDP ever force them to paint their buses orange?
• OK, there’s no denying that this RER train car converted to look like the Palace of Versailles is truly amazing. When I look at it, I think about what Canadian site a SkyTrain car could be redesigned to look like. Any ideas?
• Starting on September 15 and running until November 10, 2012, Centre A has an exhibit on 100 years of BC Electric. I can’t wait to see it!
• Eugene Wong sent this revealing and funny look at how getting a seat on transit is like devising strategies in war. Jhen and I can’t stop thinking how this could be applied to the #99 on a very busy day.
• Buzzer reader Eric Bucad let us know about this NYC bus driver who sings opera to his passengers.
• LA is trying to build up their transit system and it’s going to take some time. In order to do this, voters are being asked to extend transit tax another 30 years into the future. Talk about stable funding!
• Buzzer reader Monty Burt sent in a bunch of links including this article about two new light rail transit stations in Calgary. Here’s a link to the West LRT project.
• Speaking of light rail, Sound Transit is planning more light rail for the Seattle area including an underground station at the University of Washington.
• Monty also send us this link of some nice images from Salt Lake City’s light rail system. And this link about Ottawa’s light rail train to be shut down for four months for upgrades.
• Some allegedly spontaneous Whitney Houston subway dancing.
• Ireland’s Transportation Minister wants free Wi-Fi across public transit in that country.
• After 40 years, Seattle puts an end to free downtown bus trips starting September 29, 2012. Money is said to be the reason for the change.
• The Human Transit blog writes about free transit zones. Here’s an interesting quote:
  

  “You can do it in rural areas and small cities where demand is low. You can do it in university-dominated towns, where students are most of the market and are riding anyway. And you can do it in a downtown area, specifically to make short trips within downtown easy. In each of those cases, you’re giving away something for which you anticipate low demand, and for which you have adequate supply. But citywide free transit in a big city, especially during the peak commute, is the opposite. You’re giving away something that is in high demand, and for which you have a limited supply.”

• While I’m referencing Human Transit, I’d like to mention that our Transit Network Primer was mention on that blog.
• The new operating system for the next iPhone, iOS6, will not be using Google Maps. Instead, Apple will have its own map which doesn’t have transit info included :(. Now a start up app creating company is promising to fill that void. Although, I have a feeling that the service may be U.S. only – at least in the beginning.

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The Millennium Line turns 10!

The Millennium Line Travel Guide

Would you believe that the Millennium SkyTrain Line is 10 years old? Well, it’s true! The line officially opened on August 31, 2002, and connected to the bus network on September 3, 2002.

The Millennium Line was a long time coming, a version of it having been in the works since the inception of SkyTrain 26 years ago. Today it’s an integral part of our system. In fact, there are roughly 80 000-85 000 people who board the line everyday (excluding Commercial-Broadway Station)! Here’s a great primer on the building of the 13 stations and over 21 kilometers of track that make up the Millennium Line. In addition, this station tour brochure of the line gives an overview of the each station and each station’s unique features. Read more »

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Reminder: new fare evasion penalties go into effect today, September 4, 2012

One of our system advertisements about the new fare evasion penalties.

Reminder: the new penalties for fare evasion take effect today, September 4, 2012!

So please do take a minute and make sure you’ve got your pass on you now, so you’re covered when you enter a proof of payment zone on transit. Thanks to everyone who has paid their fare already through a FareCard or other pre-purchased tickets!

For more info on the changes, check out our new fare evasion penalties post on the blog last week, or check the website at translink.ca/fareinfraction.

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Fall transit service changes start today

Make sure you double check your transit info before you leave your home today!

Firsts can be exciting/challenging. So, make sure you know about the any possible changes to your usual routes.

This blog post from last week has all the info you need to know to make sure you get to all the places you need to go.

Also, you can check out all the transit service changes on our website to see if any of your usual routes are affected.

Tell your transit using friends and good luck on your first days everyone!

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Reminder: bus service changes start today, September 3, 2012

A bus on the move. Photo by Devlon Duthie

A quick reminder that September 2012 bus service changes start today, September 3!

Make sure you’ve checked out the transit service changes list on our website to see whether your journey is affected.

And feel free to reach out to TransLink on Twitter or give our info line a call at 604-953-3333 if you need help with your trip.

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The September 2012 Buzzer is on the system

The September 2012 Buzzer is now out!

As always, you can find it free of charge on buses, SkyTrain, SeaBus, West Coast Express or as a .pdf here.

This month’s Buzzer is all about the upcoming September 3 service changes, which we talked about this week. Make sure you’re up to date on the changes!

There’s also a note about the increased penalties for fare evasion (those start September 4), recycling your newspapers, and the Buzzer’s handy community events form!

And as always, our illustration is by a local illustrator. Say hello to Stefan Tosheff and his terrific illustration of a bus driver!

Remember to enter the FareCard contest too! You can win a free FareCard in every issue of the Buzzer: read the issue, then email in your info and the answer to the trivia question by Monday, Sept 24 at 9 a.m.. We’ll pick a winner from all the correct answers, and that person will be notified by phone shortly after the draw.

And we’d love to hear what you think about the print Buzzer. Your contributions help to make the Buzzer better!

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New penalties for fare evasion: here’s what you need to know

One of our ads highlighting the increased penalties for fare evasion, starting September 4, 2012

Over the past few weeks, you might have seen ads and posters on our system letting people know we’re stepping up our fare enforcement activities. That’s because effective September 4, 2012, TransLink assumes new responsibility to issue and collect fare infraction tickets, as well as resolve fare infraction disputes.

Our goal with this new responsibility is to cut down on fare evasion, and getting people to pay their fair share. It’s not to give out tickets to collect fines—we just want to make sure that people who fail to pay the correct fare face consequences.

So what does this mean for you?

For most people, it just means you should be prepared to produce your proof of payment at any time while riding on the transit system.

But for people who don’t pay their fare, what’s changing are the consequences. Here’s what you need to know:

• Failure to show a valid proof of payment may result in a $173 fine.
• If left unpaid, this fine amount escalates over time.
• Outstanding fines may be sent to a collection agency.
• ICBC may refuse to issue or renew your driver’s license, or renew your vehicle insurance if you have an outstanding fine.

And if you want to know more about the new legislation, or how to dispute or pay a fine, you can visit the Fare Evasion section of the TransLink website.

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Labour Day holiday service, Mon Sept 3, 2012

Wow, It’s Labour Day on Monday, September 3, 2012. Besides being a holiday for some, it means that buses, SeaBus, and SkyTrain will be operating on a Sunday/Holiday schedule. West Coast Express operates no trains on Monday.

Remember that the whole transit system is a single zone on Labour Day, so zone fares are not in effect. That means if you buy a one zone ticket, you can use it to ride through all three zones.

As well, on Sundays and statutory holidays, you can use your FareCard to take five other riders with you for free. That means you can take one more adult and up to four children with you. The offer applies to the Adult FareCard, West Coast Express 28-day Pass, or Annual Employer Transit Pass (sorry, It doesn’t apply to Concession Passes).

Have a great day everyone!

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Look out for bus service changes starting Monday Sept 3, 2012

Bus changes are coming September 3, 2012!

Bye-bye summer, hello fall! With September just around the corner, students are going back to school and businesses are getting busier as many people head back to work after vacation.

September also means our regular service changes, to reflect higher demand, and our ongoing efforts to find ways of doing our business better. As many of you know, four times a year—in September, December, April and June—we make changes to be more efficient and make our services more productive.

We’ve got lots of changes coming September 3, 2012, but some of the highlights include:

• A new trolley loop on University Boulevard at UBC, just across from the temporary trolley loop (here’s a map of it)
• Higher service levels for many of the routes that take students to school
• New boarding locations for buses at New Westminster Station (here’s a map)
• The 595 will no longer operate on the segment between Maple Meadows Station and Haney Place (you can transfer between the 595 and 701 at Maple Meadows—the map of the new route is here)
• Granville Mall reopens to traffic, meaning buses resume their normal downtown routes
• The 5, 6 remain on their current Olympic routes after Labour Day
• The 395 will increase to every 12 minutes in the morning and every 20 minutes in the afternoon. All trips on the 395 will start at 200th St & 64th Ave, providing more transit options for people living in the area and reducing the pressure on the 502
• The 640 will convert from a Community Shuttle bus after 8 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays to a conventional 40’ bus, responding to increased demand caused by industrial growth along River Road.

You can check out all the transit service changes on our website to see if any of your usual routes are affected—and please help us spread the word to anyone who might be affected!

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