I Love Transit 2018: TransLink keeps sustainability in focus

It is expected that each electric bus in operation will reduce on-road CO2 emissions by close to 300,000 kg annually

It’s I Love Transit Week! A week where we celebrate our riders, transit enthusiasts and all the things we love about transit. This year’s theme is…Connections: the future of transportation in Metro Vancouver. One of the key elements of what the future of transit entails is sustainable transit. So, we chatted with Sarah Buckle, Director Enterprise Risk and Sustainability at TransLink what that actually means.

By Sarah Buckle, TransLink’s Director of Enterprise Risk & Sustainability

As TransLink provides people with alternatives to driving cars by expanding transit service, we dramatically reduce the region’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improve the air quality. Yet, for every bus we put on the road, we also emit GHGs by consuming fossil fuels. Extending transit is essential for our region and the environmental benefits of doing so can’t be understated. But, it’s also critical that we use low-carbon technologies to reduce our own environmental footprint.

My role is to lead the adoption and achievement of environmental commitments and the advancement of strategic sustainability initiatives that align with enterprise priorities. An example of this is developing a low carbon fleet strategy, demonstrating zero-emission battery electric buses, and procuring renewable fuels. These are no small tasks!

Just recently, TransLink’s Board of Directors and the Mayors’ Council approved the adoption of two very significant environmental targets – reducing TransLink’s GHG emissions by 80 per cent by 2050, and utilizing only renewable energy sources by that same year. These are ambitious goals that will require bold action through policy decisions, investment planning, and funding support.

One challenge when looking at new technology is the lack of benchmarking. To help overcome this challenge, starting in 2019, we’re piloting four zero-emission battery electric buses. TransLink was the first transit agency in Canada to commit to and gain funding for the first ever $40M Pan-Canadian Electric Bus Demonstration Project being led by Canadian Urban Transit Research and Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC).

We’re very excited to bring four fast-charging electric-battery buses to Metro Vancouver next year! https://t.co/w8lQE2pHdK. ^rw @CityofVancouver @bchydro @BowinnMa @GregMooredotca @jimcarr_wpg @MayorGregor pic.twitter.com/irZp6cx6te

— TransLink BC (@TransLink) April 12, 2018

TransLink’s 2.5-year demonstration project will deploy four battery electric buses and two fast chargers into service in the Metro Vancouver region. It is expected that each electric bus in operation will reduce on-road CO₂ emissions by close to 300,000 kg annually, and will save approximately $50,000 in fuel costs by switching to electricity from diesel. These buses will be able to recharge within 4―7 minutes at charging stations at each end of their route, which makes them both environmentally-sound and an efficient ride for customers. The results of the pilot program will provide further certainty to target fleet-replacement procurement in the early to mid-2020s, when experts believe the life cycle costs will provide a positive return on investment.

Before we transition to a zero-emission battery electric fleet, we are looking into lower-carbon interim options, including renewable natural gas and renewable diesel. The main challenges associated with renewable fuels is the price premium compared to conventional fuels and limited supply. By forming strong partnerships with our fuel suppliers, the success of utilizing renewable fuels for our fleet looks promising. Procuring low-carbon intensity fuels will provide a near-term bridge to a zero emission future.

It is expected that each electric bus in operation will reduce on-road CO2 emissions by close to 300,000 kg annually

Our environmental commitments don’t stop with our fleet, we have bus depots, operations and maintenance centres and passenger stations that we need to consider. At our facilities, we have done a lot over the years to reduce our energy consumption, including lighting retrofits, mechanical system upgrades, and building control projects. We are piloting heat-exchange projects at two of our transit centres with the goal of reducing our natural gas consumption and transitioning to renewable energy.

We are determined to reduce our carbon footprint of our fleet and our facilities at the same time.

As one of only five North American transit agencies (and the only one in Canada) recognized as a Platinum Level signatory of the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) sustainability commitment, it is not a commitment we take lightly. While transit is a more sustainable method of travel, we know we have to do our part to reduce our own environmental footprint.

Looking for more ways to celebrate I Love Transit week? Check out the blog for more opportunities to share your stories and win! Follow along on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram too!

I Love Transit 2018: BC Transit tells us why they love transit

BC Transit operates in over 130 communities across BC

It’s I Love Transit Week! A week where we celebrate our riders, transit enthusiasts and all the things we love about transit. This year’s theme is…Connections: the future of transportation in Metro Vancouver. Our friends at BC Transit are in charge of public transit outside of Metro Vancouver, so we sat down with them to ask why they love transit.

Matthew Boyd is the Acting Director of Corporate and Strategic Planning at BC Transit. He’s worked at BC Transit for six years and previously worked at Coast Mountain Bus Company. He’s a regular transit rider and never misses an opportunity to sit on the top deck of Victoria’s Double-Decker buses. Find him on Twitter: @mtthwbyd

Tell us what BC Transit loves about transit.

The people! First, our customers. Whether you’re someone that takes transit daily to get to work or to go on weekend adventures, our customers are why we provide our service. Of course, we cannot forget the people that get the service on the road: drivers, mechanics, schedulers, transit supervisors, the finance team, and more! We’re proud of the hard work of our team that gets the service going.

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The I Love Transit 2018 special edition issue of The Buzzer is now on the system

I Love Transit Week is just around the corner, which means you can now find the corresponding annual special edition of The Buzzer on the system!

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Love on the line – Valentine’s Day 2018

While the calendar says today is Valentine’s Day, here at TransLink, it’s just one of our two annual celebrations of love. Our annual I Love Transit week shares interesting stories celebrating our riders, transit enthusiasts and generally all the things we love about transit! From Rodney and Darci tapping onto the SkyTrain en route to their nuptuals, to Nina and Jarred getting married on a TransLink bus, and Meghan and Steve unexpectedly finding love on transit, it’s no surprise that this busy and bustling public space ignites so many connections.

Let’s take a stroll down memory lane and check out these and some of the other amazing love stories that started on our system:

• Nina and Jarred: married on a bus
• Jeff and Nathaly: married on SkyTrain
• Rebekah Mahaffey on finding love on transit
• Meghan and Steve, who also found love on transit 
• Rodney and Darci tapping onto the SkyTrain en route to their nuptuals
• A 351 love story  followed by their 351 wedding!
• From the February 15, 2008 print Buzzer: a couple takes their wedding photos on transit!
• Two love stories sent in via comments in 2011

Love knows no bounds and can happen when we least expect it — don’t believe me? Just check out the pages of pages of I Saw You ads in the Georgia Straight, with sightings on all of our transit modes!

• I Saw You ads looking for love on SkyTrain
• I Saw You ads looking for love on the bus
• I Saw You ads looking for love on the SeaBus

And let’s not forget about your love for us!

I Love Transit: 2017 I Love Transit Camp Winner announcement!

Another successful I Love Transit Week has come to a close and we’re pleased to announce the winners, that’s right… WINNERS of I Love Transit Camp! We received so many amazing entries for I Love Transit Camp that we couldn’t pick just one!

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I Love Transit: 2017 Pop-Up Wrap Up!

You asked for it, and we answered!

Yesterday, with our friends at TravelSmart, Transit Museum Society (TRAMS), and Mobi, we hosted a pop-up event celebrating I Love Transit at the EasyPark lot on the corner of Cambie and Georgia Street in Vancouver. The sun was shining bringing transit enthusiasts young and old out to play some games, win some prizes and learn all about transit in our community outreach vehicle.

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The I Love Transit 2017 issue of The Buzzer is now on the system

I Love Transit Week is here again, and so is the annual special edition of The Buzzer!

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I Love Transit: Next stop… I do!

Today marks the official start of I Love Transit Week. A week where we celebrate our riders, transit enthusiasts and all the things we love about transit. This year, we’re kicking it off with none other than a love story, in transit.

SkyTrain is no stranger to romantic stories. From chance meetings to proposals and even weddings on board, the next stop for many SkyTrain passengers is love.

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I Love Transit: Join us for an I Love Transit Pop-Up Event – Oct 5, 12 – 4pm

Calling all transit fans!

In celebration of I Love Transit Week, we’re once again hosting a pop-up event with our friends at the Transit Museum Society (TRAMS) on Thursday, October 5, 2017. For a sneak peek at what to expect, check out the recap of our 2014 event. We’re also super happy to add our fun consultation bus with staff on hand to answer your questions.

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I Love Transit week 2017 is coming!!

Our favourite week of the year is quickly approaching! I Love Transit Week! Since 2009, we have shared interesting stories celebrating our riders, transit enthusiasts and all the things we love about transit over the course of a special week dedicated to just that, our love of transit!

In the past, we’ve celebrated I Love Transit with a vintage bus, a marriage and so much more! This year, we have a bus load of more fun transit love, appreciation and stories to share with you.

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TransLink 2016: A year in review

Another trip around the sun. 2016 – what a year! It’s been a busy and productive 366 (leap year) days for TransLink.

Let’s take a look back at 2016 in the world of Metro Vancouver transit!

New CEO.

In the spring, we welcomed new CEO, Kevin Desmond. Kevin came to TransLink from King County Metro Transit that serves the Seattle area.

Kevin jumped in with both feet to lead the charge of a very full and important year while emphasizing our customers’ needs, transparency and excellent service.

We’re so happy to have him at the helm!

Compass.

This word was on everyone’s lips this year!

After a roll out that started with Upass users then West Coast Express, the general public adopted Compass with Monthly Passes at the beginning of this year.

Then, on April 4, 2016, the fare gates closed requiring riders to tap in on buses and in and out at all gates to pay their fare.

With Compass, you can travel seamlessly across the TransLink transit network with one card! Compass also allows us to gather important data on peak periods, bus route ridership and more – helping us better plan and run the transit network.

Expo ’86.

May 2nd marked the 30th anniversary of Expo ’86 – the 1986 World Exposition on Transportation and Communication held on the north shore of False Creek.

This was North America’s largest World’s Fair and a monumental event for Vancouver that left a lasting legacy – our SkyTrain system starting with none other than the Expo Line!

SkyTrain started regular service on January 3, 1986.

100 years of the Buzzer. 

Happy birthday, Buzzer! The print Buzzer hit a major milestone anniversary of 100 years!

This free, on-transit publication began on June 2, 1916 without a name. That soon changed and it has been delivering informative, fun and interesting transit and community related tidbits to the riders of the transit system ever since.

You can pick yours up on your ride or download here.

Federal funding.

PM Justin Trudeau made some lifelong transit friends when he announced more than $900 million will be invested – by the Government of Canada, British Columbia and municipalities – in public transit projects across the province.

This important funding promise allowed the Metro Vancouver Mayors’ Council to present Phase One of the 10-Year Vision for approval. But we’ll get to that soon enough!

LTE connectivity.

Rogers and Fido customers were treated to not one but two connectivity projects allowing riders to use their mobile devices.

In July, the Dunsmuir tunnel downtown Vancouver was connected and in November, the Edmonds tunnel followed suit!

Up next? We will continue to work with Rogers to build out wireless coverage along the Evergreen Extension, Columbia Station and tunnel and in New Westminster.

#Compass1Million.

This summer we hit one million active Compass Cards.

That means that a million riders across Metro Vancouver embraced the switch to Compass and were tap, tap, tapping their way to and from school, home, work and more!

With such great news, we had to celebrate with a fun contest to thank you for using Compass!

Mark IIIs.

These beautiful new SkyTrain cars were the hit of the summer! Especially because the A/C is just oh, so cool!

These cars rode across country – on flatbeds – to reach out region.

Each 4-car set is fully articulated (you can walk from one end of the train to the other), has more room for standing passengers, wheelchairs, bikes, strollers and riders with luggage plus, they are more environmentally efficient!

Transit riders and enthusiasts eagerly awaited the first trip on August 18th and our Mark III VIPs got a front seat for the journey!

SkyTrain Wedding.

Something old, something new, something borrowed something… transit? Hey, whatever floats your SeaBus!

Jeff and Nathaly met on Canada Line and it was their dream to get married on transit.

Enter a white (naturally) Mark II SkyTrain, a full band, wedding guests and one interloping Buzzer blog writer and you’ve got a SkyTrain wedding!

It was a distinct pleasure to document this lovely couple’s big day aboard our beloved SkyTrain at Stadium–Chinatown Station.

I Love Transit Week.

I love transit week is a time for enthusiasts of all ages can say loud and proud, “I LOVE TRANSIT!”

Poems, colouring contests, a special Buzzer, HTC opening tour, kids camp and more – we felt the transit love from riders of all ages at a variety of events.

Interested in participating in next year’s festivities? Keep your eyes peeled for rumblings on the Buzzer blog in spring!

Hamilton Transit Centre.

In one September weekend we said goodbye to North Vancouver Transit Centre and hello to the brand new HTC building in Richmond!

Did you notice? If not, that’s a good thing! CMBC made the seamless transition from one TC to the other and got your buses on the road from their no locale A.S.A.P.

Hamilton Transit Centre has capacity for 300 forty-foot buses, including up to 80 community shuttle buses and 150 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fuelled buses.

HTC performs three functions: dispatch, fuel and wash service as well as maintenance for buses servicing the Richmond, New Westminster, Burnaby and Vancouver areas.

Pattullo.

Opened in 1937, this bridge is one of the busiest Fraser crossings in the region. So, it’s unsurprising that while we go ahead with plans to build a new bridge, this ol’ girl needs some safety upgrades in the interim.

We know the evening and weekend closures impacted a lot of drivers and we appreciate your patience as we rehabilitated the crossing to ensure its safety for all.

Repairs included:

• milling off the asphalt surfacing from the deck
• removing all deck concrete down to the top layer of rebar
• repairing concrete delamination and cleaning or replacing rebar
• repaving the deck area with a concrete overlay

Crews managed to finish early allowing for goods and people to move freely over the Pattullo Bridge once again .

CUTA.

CUTA is the Canadian Urban Transit Association and this year’s Fall Conference and Transit Show happened right here in Metro Vancouver on November 5-9.

This year’s theme was Inspiring Sustainable Change with a variety of seminars and speakers discussing today’s demands, tomorrow’s challenges and the possibilities for transit in our country and around the world.

TransLink had many speakers engaging with experts and transit enthusiasts from around the globe. Including CMBC’s Derek Stewart who spoke about the impact of climate change to transit agencies.

New Westminster upgrades.

We are upgrading SkyTrain Stations across the rapid transit network.

New Westminster was one of them. I say was because the work is done! On November 21, we officially completed and opened the overhauled station for riders to use and enjoy!

The completed upgrades at New Westminster Station include:

• A new elevator and escalators to improve access for customers with disabilities
• Improved lighting throughout the station
• Glass panels to replace the mesh screens and improve station visibility from street level
• Better integration with the surrounding community to make it easier to connect to and from the SkyTrain system
• New public art that improves the experience of riders

10-year vision.

Our region is growing and along with that comes greater need for public transit.

The Mayors’ Council 10-year Vision Phase One was approved by the TransLink board and council on November 23.

Along with the federal and provincial funding promised in June, municipalities will pitch in their share with TransLink for some much needed transit upgrades and projects.

Phase One improvements in 2017, 2018, and 2019 include:

• 10% increase in bus service
• 15% increase in HandyDART service
• 20% increase in rail service
• New or expanded transit services for neighbourhoods that currently have few or no transit options today
• Safer walking and cycling routes
• Reduced traffic congestion by fixing bottlenecks on major roads

Metro Vancouver residents will start to see added service in the new year with much more to come in the coming months and years!

Evergreen.

Sometimes, it IS easy being green!

On December 2, the Millennium Line Evergreen Extension opened to great excitement despite the rainy weather!

The community celebration at Coquitlam Central Station ran all day with riders eagerly awaiting the first official ride on Evergreen.

With this extension, TransLink has the longest, automated, driverless rapid transit system in the world!

Twitter Heroes.

If you’ve ever called 604-953-3333 or tweeted @TransLink, you’ve interacted with CI (Customer Information).

This crew works tirelessly to help keep riders informed on specific routes, transit timings, disruptions, detours and all things transit related!

Started in 2010 as a pilot project, to date our followers have reached over 135,000 people and CI has sent out 295,039 tweets!

A big thank you to these awesome people who keep us moving!

Well, that about wraps it up. We can’t wait for what 2017 will hold for our region and transit!

Author: Adrienne Coling

Kids ride free on buses for iWALK, October 3–7, 2016

FACT! The majority of school-aged children and youth in our country are not getting enough physical activity to meet the current Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines.

“Children and youth aged 5 to 17 spent an average of 8 hours and 27 minutes, or nearly two-thirds of their waking hours, being sedentary each day.”

– Directly measured physical activity of children and youth (2012, 2013)
Statistics Canada

That is why it’s so important to encourage active transportation from a young age!

iWALK (International Walk to School Week) is one week out of a month-long, global event that celebrates active transportation, gets kids AND parents out of cars and introduces communities to safe routes for kids to take to school.

To support this fantastic initiative, TransLink is offering free bus travel for students in kindergarten through to grade 12 on any and all bus routes from October 3 to October 7.

Free travel will not include SkyTrain, SeaBus or West Coast Express this year.

Put your walking shoes on and get trip ready with our Trip Planner, use Next Bus or reach out to our Customer Information team on Twitter or by phone at 604-953-3333.

Please note: Regular fares apply to adults accompanying children and youth on buses.

Talk to your school or visit the iWALK website for more information.

Author: Adrienne Coling

I Love Transit: We found love in a Transit place

We love transit, and we love that YOU love transit, but what we really love, is hearing about you finding love on transit! And believe us, a lot of love is found on transit!

Over 10 years ago Meghan and Steve found love in the most unexpected of places.

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I Love Transit: Share the love and win!

If you love transit and you know it, clap your hands… and then enter the the I Love Transit contest!

We know it isn’t I Love Transit week JUST yet, but we couldn’t wait any longer!

This is your chance to show the world what you love about riding buses, SkyTrain, SeaBus and West Coast Express in Metro Vancouver. For instance:

I love transit because… it helps me get me where I’m going without worrying things like gas prices or driving in gridlock traffic.

I love transit because… I use my commute for some “me time” whether that be reading, listening to music or enjoying the scenery whizzing past.

Now it’s time for you to get creative as you tell us why you love transit.

Snap a photo, write a Haiku, draw a picture, perform a song, or however you want to show transit some love then share that on social media with our hashtag.

The Prize!

• A Monthly Pass on your Compass Card!
• A tote bag
• Transit swag
• A special secret prize!

How do I enter?

Twitter

• Follow @TransLink and send a tweet to us that includes and completes this sentence:

@TransLink #Ilovetransit because…

• An acceptable entry (on many levels): “@TransLink #ILoveTransit because it allows me to sleep more!”
• Be sure to include the correct #Ilovetransit hashtag and complete the sentence to be entered
• Accounts must be public to participate

Instagram

• Follow @TransLinkBC and post a selfie on transit or a great photo from anywhere across the system with a caption that includes and completes this sentence:

@TransLinkBC #Ilovetransit because…

• Please note that we’re @TransLinkBC on Instagram, not @TransLink—that’s somebody else’s account!
• Remember to use the hashtag and not just tag us in your photo
• Accounts must be public to participate

The Buzzer blog

• Leave a comment on this post that completes the sentence:

I love transit because…

Rules

Check out the I LOVE TRANSIT 2016 contest terms and conditions, but here’s the lowdown:

• The Contest will open on August 23, 2016 and all entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. on September 2, 2016. Late entries will not be considered.
• One entry per channel, per person so make it count! You can enter up to three times in total.
• The Monthly Pass will be for one, two, or three zones, depending on where the winner travels.
• We’ll announce the winners from a random draw on the blog, Twitter and Instagram!
• To be fair to everyone, one person cannot win all three draws. So, if we draw your name for one of the channels, you will be excluded from the other two Monthly Pass draws.

Photos may be used in the print Buzzer, the Buzzer blog, tweeted by @TransLink, posted on the TransLink Facebook page and @TransLinkBC Instagram account.

Author: Adrienne Coling

I Love Transit: Tour the new Hamilton Transit Centre!

The Hamilton Transit Centre (HTC) is Coast Mountain Bus Company’s (CMBC’s) newest transit bus operations and maintenance centre for buses.

This location will house up to 80 Community Shuttle buses and 150 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fuelled buses. HTC will perform three main functions including bus dispatch, bus service (fuel and wash), and bus maintenance. With its higher capacity for bus maintenance and storage, the HTC will increase efficiency and prepare our transit operations for growth in the region.

In celebration of I Love Transit Week, we’re opening the doors of HTC at UPDATE: 10:00am 5:00pm on Friday September 2nd for 10 lucky Buzzer Blog readers to take advantage of a behind the scenes look at everything that our newest facility has to offer.

How to enter

Entry is simple! Comment on this blog post below with your favourite bus route to be entered to win this one of a kind experience!

Be sure to read the contest rules found here.

All entries must be submitted before 11:59 p.m. on August 26, 2016.

More details of the event will follow for the lucky winners.

UPDATE: Please note the new time of 5:00pm for the event!

Author: Sarah Kertcher