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Sometimes little things can make a big difference. Governments
continue to publicly promote the use of public transit, but
provide very little money for big improvements. Let's help them
see some of the small things that can be done for relatively
little money to improve the lot of transit users. Please send
your ideas to (t2000bc at vcn.bc.ca.)
We will compile a list of ideas and send them to The Powers That
Be.
Here's the list so far (in no particular order):
- Install a ticket machine at the east end of the 29th
Avenue SkyTrain station. Currently passengers can walk
onto the platform without having had an opportunity to
buy a ticket.
- Somehow retrofit Main Street SkyTrain station to include
an elevator on the east side of Main Street. This would
allow those travelling to or from Pacific Central Station
(people who typically have baggage with them) to avoid
stairs or a long walk and wait to cross Main Street.
- Install a ticket machine outside the elevator for Burrard
SkyTrain station. At present persons with mobility
disabilities needing to purchase or validate tickets must
use the (extremely slow) elevator twice; first from
street level to mezzanine level, then to the platform
level.
- Extend the bus "queue jumper lanes" to the
north end of the Lion's Gate bridge to the actual merge
point, rather than having the buses delayed in general
merging traffic. The only effect on car traffic would be
to extend the line-up for the bridge by about 5 cars.
- Dedicate Robson Street between Howe and Hornby as bus
only. This would eliminate huge delays to service caused
by right turning cars blocking traffic on Robson street
for multiple signal cycles. (Note: the City of Vancouver
introduced new turning restrictions and revised traffic
signal operations at Robson and Howe, and Robson and
Hornby, in September 1997. These changes have greatly
improved the flow of buses along Robson Street.)
- Enforce the bus-only nature of Granville Street Mall,
including ticketing delivery vehicles which block a lane
of traffic.
- Extend the #321/#390 White Rock South routes from Highway
99 & 8th Avenue to the U.S. border. This would allow
international passengers to cross on foot and board
Whatcom County's transit service in Blaine. Canada
Customs employees working at the border crossing would
also have the option of commuting by transit.
- Increase Coast Mountain BusLink transit operator
adherence to a policy that requires all
interior coach lights to be on, except when there is a
valid safety reason for them to be off. This would allow
passengers to make better use of their time by reading,
and maximise the visibility of the interior
advertisements in the bus. More visible advertisements
could contribute to higher revenues from advertising
sources.
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