Vancouver Streetcar Update Report - Sept 22, 2006.

Nice big 65 page report.

http://vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/cclerk/20061005/documents/pe5.pdf

Here's the opening parts:

TO: Standing Committee on Planning and Environment
FROM: General Manager of Engineering Services and the Director of Current
Planning
SUBJECT: Downtown Streetcar Project Update

RECOMMENDATION

A. THAT Council reaffirm the Vancouver Transit Strategy and that extending rapid
transit along the Central Broadway corridor remains a City priority.

B. THAT Council reiterate its support for a Downtown Streetcar as a key element
in helping the City achieve its environmental, transportation and liveability
objectives as part of the Vancouver Transit Strategy, Downtown Transportation
Plan, Community Climate Change Action Plan, and False Creek South and
Southeast False Creek Official Development Plans.

C. THAT Council authorize the General Manager of Engineering Services to
continue to seek Senior Government funding for the Downtown Streetcar
project including cost-sharing opportunities with other potential funding
partners.

D. THAT Council direct staff to continue the Downtown Streetcar project as
follows:
i. Undertake a public process to receive broader input into the findings of
the current Downtown Streetcar project update;
ii. Complete more detailed design for the section from Granville Island to
Science World, including a maintenance facility, with funding of
$300,000 to be provided from the 2005 Engineering Streets Budget for
the Downtown Streetcar, and staff to pursue a commitment from CMHC
Granville Island regarding a $65,000 contribution towards this study;
iii. Report back to Council on the more detailed design and funding and
implementation options for the section from Granville Island to Science
World, including a maintenance facility; and
iv. Continue to work with TransLink on how to integrate the Downtown
Streetcar with the regional transit system and transportation plans.

GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS

The General Manager of Engineering Services and the Director of Current Planning recommend
approval of A through D. The Downtown Streetcar is a key element of the Vancouver’s
Transit Strategy and a cornerstone of supporting Southeast False Creek as a transit-oriented
development. Given the immediate timing of construction of both Southeast False Creek
streets and the Olympic Village Canada Line station, it is important to finalize more detailed
design that accommodates the future streetcar while minimising construction costs and
neighbourhood impacts.

CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS

In considering the recommendations in this report, Council should consider carefully the
potential capital costs that will be necessary to bring the system to the kind of operation
contemplated. Currently, the Downtown Historic Railway system is a single-track system on
which volunteers operate two heritage streetcars on weekends from Granville Island to
Science World. The Downtown Streetcar is a full transit system, including a double-tracked
operation in a semi-dedicated right of way using modern equipment with the service
integrated with the regional transit system.
To complete Phase 1 (Granville Island to Waterfront Station) will require an investment of
$100 million for which no secure outside funding sources have been identified. The
consultants indicated that the system as proposed will generate sufficient revenue to cover
the operating costs but will have net operating revenues of just $1.2 to $1.6 million per year,
sufficient to support capital financing of just $15 to $20 million if financed over 20 years.
Even with a city contribution from transportation related DCLs of $30 million, it will be
necessary to identify additional funding partners for up to 50% of the anticipated cost for the
full Phase 1 from Granville Island to Waterfront or up to 20% for the Phase 0 from Granville
Island to Science World. Finally, the success of the system - ridership and financial - will
depend on integration with the regional transit system and to date, there is no commitment
from Translink on this integration.
These comments are meant to put the expectations created by work related to the Downtown
Streetcar system in some context. Undertaking additional work as recommended in the
report will move understanding of the project forward, however, it will take committed
funding partners to move the system to the next stage of development, even if that is
restricted to the current Granville Island to Science World right of way.
The City Manager RECOMMENDS that Council approve this additional work, but in doing so,
cautions that the Downtown Streetcar project as envisioned will not likely be easily or quickly
realized.

COUNCIL POLICY

Since 1995, Council has consistently supported preserving rail corridors and the demonstration
electric rail transit service along the south side of False Creek, with the potential of providing
regular service linking the employment, residential and activity nodes in the Downtown core.
In 1997, Council approved the Vancouver Transportation Plan that supported the use of transit
in meeting our transportation growth needs, including providing special transit rights-of-way,
and preserving rail corridors for transit and greenway purposes.
In 1999, Council approved specific alignments and phasing for a Downtown Streetcar system
and consideration of streetcar corridors to coincide with planning projects located along the
routes. Council also authorized the General Manager of Engineering Services to seek Senior
Government funding for the streetcar project from Granville Island to Waterfront Station.
In 2002, Council approved both the Downtown Transportation Plan and the Vancouver Transit
Strategy recommending implementation of the Downtown Streetcar network with possible
extensions to the False Creek Flats, Vanier Park, and along the Arbutus Corridor.
In 2003, Council approved proceeding with further planning for the Downtown Streetcar
including applying for matching funds from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
In 2004, Council approved undertaking the Downtown Streetcar Market Research Study,
Streetcar Benchmarking Study, and Design, Layout, and Ridership Study.
In 2005, Council approved the Official Development Plan for Southeast False Creek including
providing space for double-track segregated streetcar operation on 1st Avenue.
In 2005, Council approved the Community Climate Change Action Plan, including program
initiatives focused on promoting alternative transportation and expanding transit service.

SUMMARY

The purpose of this report is to report back as directed by Council with a project update on
the Downtown Streetcar. The results of four separate reports are presented:
o a benchmarking report on streetcar systems
o a tourist and recreational market research study
o a design and layout study (for Phase 1, Granville Island to Waterfront Station)
o a comparative review of streetcars and local buses
The project update streetcar studies and related ridership, revenue, and cost estimate
updates have been a valuable exercise. Council, staff, and the public will now have a much
better understanding of the Downtown Streetcar initiative in providing Vancouver with more
sustainable transportation modes.
Modern, high density and transit-oriented cities require a wide range of transit services to
respond to the full range of transit demand. Each transit mode provides a different level of
service and capacity. The Vancouver Transit Strategy emphasises the need for the City to
pursue a network of transit services over the long term. Extending rapid transit to serve
Central Broadway remains a City priority for transit expansion [Recommendation A].
Experiences in other cities have shown that streetcars provide a high level of service and can
be extremely popular with residents, commuters and tourists alike. Streetcar systems in some
European cities are the dominant transit service. Examples in North America include
streetcars in cities such as San Francisco, Portland, Tacoma, New Orleans, and Toronto.
The Downtown Streetcar initiative is a key element of the City’s continuing transition to a
transit-oriented city. The intent is that seamless connections to existing transit services will
be provided with integrated fares, thereby enhancing the overall regional transit network.
The Downtown Streetcar will be a fully accessible service that provides a level of service and
capacity in between that of local bus and regional scale rail transit (i.e. SkyTrain, Canada
Line, or Evergreen Line).
Also consistent with the Vancouver Transit Strategy as well as the Downtown Transportation
Plan, Community Climate Change Action Plan, and False Creek South and Southeast False
Creek Official Development Plans, the Downtown Streetcar is a key element in helping the
City achieve its environmental, transportation and liveability objectives [Recommendation B].
While to date the city continues to take the lead role in the Downtown Streetcar project, its
longer term capital costs are expected to need multiple funding sources and partners. Senior
levels of government and available funding programs should be investigated as potential
funding sources [Recommendation C].
The project update has identified a strategic opportunity to stage the implementation of the
Downtown Streetcar in more manageable components beginning with a Phase “0” section
from Granville Island to Science World. The capital cost estimate for Phase 0 is less than
$60M including a start-up maintenance facility.
The Phase 0 section produces the highest ridership for the Downtown Streetcar as it would
serve Granville Island with over 10 million visitors a year and provide a direct connection to
two regional rapid transit lines, both the Canada Line and Expo Line. Streetcar travel times
between Science World and Granville Island would be less than 10 minutes and would be
highly reliable as the entire Phase 0 alignment is in dedicated rights-of-way. It would provide
SEFC residents with quality transit service that will help reduce transportation related GHG
emissions and vehicle-kms by 25% to 50%.
The report outlines many compelling reasons to begin more detailed design for the Downtown
Streetcar system for the Phase 0 section including the complete reconstruction of 1st Avenue
as part of SEFC, the construction of the Olympic Village station for the Canada Line, and
Granville Island’s keen interest in the Downtown Streetcar as an important high-capacity
transit solution needed for their visitors, patrons, students, and employees.
This report seeks Council approval for next steps to be taken for the Downtown Streetcar
project including undertaking a public process [Recommendation D (i)] and completing and
reporting back on more detailed design. The cost for more detailed design cost for Phase 0 is
estimated to be $365,000 of which Granville Island is expected to contribute $65,000
[Recommendation D (ii)]. Staff will report back on the more detailed design for Phase 0 and
possible funding and implementation options [Recommendation D (iii)]. Staff will also
continue to work with TransLink on how to integrate the Downtown Streetcar with the
regional transit system and transportation plans

http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/849/phase0ad7.jpg

Pics from the Report - of course these likely bear little resemblance to the fnal product:

http://img486.imageshack.us/img486/6489/streetcar1ap1.jpg

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/9333/streetcar2se7.jpg

http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/9120/streetcar3hv1.jpg

http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/5396/streetcar4rj0.jpg

http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/9867/streetcar5rp7.jpg

Credits to Officedweller for reporting first on SSP:

Latest City report:

http://vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/cclerk/...uments/tt3.pdf

RECOMMENDATION

A. THAT Council approve the replacement of the single-track infrastructure
between Granville Island and the 2nd Avenue Canada Line Station to allow
continued operation of the Downtown Heritage Railway on the alignment at a
cost of $8.5 million; source of funding to be:
i. $500,000 as a funding contribution from CMHC Granville Island
ii. $4,000,000 from the Southeast False Creek Project
iii. $4,000,000 from existing Engineering Streets 2006-2008 Capital Budget;
AND THAT the funding of $0.8 million to be approved in advance of the 2008
Capital Budget, source of funding to be the 2006-2008 plebiscite approved
borrowing authority.

B. THAT Council instruct staff to seek opportunities to develop the Downtown
Streetcar Demonstration Project for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter
Games using modern streetcar equipment and infrastructure.

C. THAT Council approve up to $1.0M to safeguard the streetcar alignment during
the 1st Avenue reconstruction for modern streetcar operations including cost
sharing with Metro Vancouver for the cost premiums of relocating the regional
forcemain between Columbia Street and Quebec Street; source of funding to
be provided from the existing Engineering Streets 2006-2008 Capital Budget.

Source: http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=3397090&postcount=15

global did a report too on this (i shall share the link when it's uploaded). For now, i took a few pics with my phone. Taking videos with my phone is horrible...

http://members.shaw.ca/adrian_leung/SSP/R3/DSC01085.JPG
Tony Parsons

According to Global, there is now a change of plans with the line. Phase 0-A will be from Granville Island to Canada Line Olympic Village Station, then continue to Main Street Science World. After that, they will explore options for expansion, should there be a demand, and extend it to Stanley Park, Yaletown, etc.

http://members.shaw.ca/adrian_leung/SSP/R3/DSC01084.JPG
Phase 0-A Option

http://members.shaw.ca/adrian_leung/SSP/R3/DSC01083.JPG
Picture of the SLUT (:haha:) in Seattle

http://members.shaw.ca/adrian_leung/SSP/R3/DSC01086.JPG
Historic Streetcar still there

They may use the old historic streetcars for special occasions (opening of 2010 ceremonies, during olympics, weekends, etc.).


This work (above) is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Canada License
http://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-sa/2.5/ca/80x15.png

The council will vote on this on Tuesday.

More Modern Streetcars
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/af/Tramway_Strasbourg_Broglie.jpg
Strasbourg Tram by Bombardier - Source: Wikipedia

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4b/Alstom_Citadis-Madrid.JPG/800px-Alstom_Citadis-Madrid.JPG
Alstom Citadis - Source: Wikipedia

http://www.melbourne.org.au/typo3temp/2a76eec333.jpg
Melbourne Trams - Source: Melbourne.org

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/3c/Combino_Amsterdam.jpg
Combino Amsterdam - Source: Wikipedia


Closer to Home
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/27/Streetcar.jpg
Portland MAX, most sucessful LRT/Streetcar in the US - Source: Wikipedia

I'm sure SFUVancouver has a few pictures of the MAX system (you're the one that went to Portland a few months ago if I'm not wrong)

http://www.myzip.net/images/uploads/0000/0903/streetcar.jpg
Seattle SLUT (:haha:) - Source: MyZip


My Personal Favovorites
Siemens LRT/StreetCar/Trams used in Houston and Charlotte. The Avanto series.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e3/MetroRail.jpg
Avanto Siemens Metro Rail in Houston, one of the most new sucessful LRTs in US - Source: Wikipedia

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/bd/LYNX_Car_104_at_TremontStation.jpg
Avanto Siemens LYNX in Charlotte (that swish reminds me of Canada Line Logo/SkyTrain Logo) - Source: Wikipedia

Global TV Report:
http://canwest.a.mms.mavenapps.net/mms/rt/1/site/canwest-globalbc-pub01-live/current/launch.html?maven_playerId=globalbcallvideo&maven_referralPlaylistId=4a2ce1e972c5758825bcdb7a353405a5a11fc2a6&maven_referralObject=98c1fdc0-6999-4397-92ba-a490510d9fc5

Global TV Newscasts>Global BC Newshour Mar 05>17:30 (you have to wait to load and drag the viewer to 17:30, they didn't divide it into a seperate report)

Notice reporter Linda Aylesworth said something wrong when she reports about route mapping

i like i like ... only if the cars were modern looking like the houston or the Alstom


i think they should also run it down arbutus corridor as a secondary to the canada line?

I know on this fourm and at SSP we've been discussing about Arbutus Streetcar/LRT as a future extension to alleviate Canada Line congestion when it is overcapicity. city of Vancovuer also mensionsed about extending it down Arbutus in previous plans (future).

i think they should also run it down arbutus corridor as a secondary to the canada line?

Those are part of the city's long-term plans, and I too hope to see that realized.

Yay you have Charlotte trains on here! I feel so proud! :)

Yay you have Charlotte trains on here! I feel so proud! :)

And you should be. The Charlotte system is beautiful, and from what I've read ridership is higher than originally projected.:cheers:

I'll take any of those trains, please and thankyou...especially the Alstom ones.

I'd go with the Houston trains... those SLUTS are pretty ugly.

We should get some old CLRVs and PCCs from Toronto. A variety of streetcars would be cool, but maintenance costs would obviously be much higher.

And you should be. The Charlotte system is beautiful, and from what I've read ridership is higher than originally projected.:cheers:

Yes, it's been a great success so far. We need funding ASAP to extend the line. Our trains are the same as Houston's I believe! :cheers::cheers::cheers:

Yup... I liked Houstons Trains at first... then I figured out Charlotte has the same trains (same series at least, the Avanto by Siemens). Aren't they beautiful? =)

One more picture of another personal favourite (can't believe I forgot about this one)

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/122/306581934_7d35fc1b8b_b.jpg
Porto Metro by Bombardier - Source: Paulo2004 on SCC/Flickr

Yup... I liked Houstons Trains at first... then I figured out Charlotte has the same trains (same series at least, the Avanto by Siemens). Aren't they beautiful? =)


O yeah, you know I do. :)

Those Bombardier streetcars are so nice.

This is even a better picture of it:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/67/165266810_1bdf82ab74_o.jpg
Porto Metro by Bombardier @ Airport Station - Source: Flickr

WOW!! The grass median and all!!!!!

This is even a better picture of it:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/67/165266810_1bdf82ab74_o.jpg
Porto Metro by Bombardier @ Airport Station - Source: Flickr

i am dreaming of a streetcar like the aforementioned one running in vancouver..... that would just be Green eh?

It's possible.

The current track alignment from Granville Island to Cambie Street is completely exclusive to the streetcar, which can allow for a continuous "grassway"

Here are a few slides from the last report:
http://members.shaw.ca/adrian_leung/Streetcar/001.PNG
Streetcar Alignment ~ Source: City of Vancouver

http://members.shaw.ca/adrian_leung/Streetcar/002.PNG
Streetcar Alignment ~ Source: City of Vancouver

http://members.shaw.ca/adrian_leung/Streetcar/003.PNG
Streetcar Alignment ~ Source: City of Vancouver

Report: http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/engsvcs/transport/streetcar/pdfs/AppendixB.pdf

I agree with LRT/streetcar along the whole route as long as it is part of a true transit system and not some stupid "heritage" line.
Transit is for the residents of the city not tourists.
The route is good except it should not be extended past Denman to Stanley Park. The number of people who take transit to Stanley Park west of Denman is EXTREMELY low.
It should head to Denman and then head west to English Bay. It would releive traffic on the very busy Robson/Davie line and would be faster to boot.

Vancouverites don't need tourist trolleys but true transit.

i kinda like those old restored interurban cars that already run along that railway. i think they look classy.

http://www.heritagetrolley.org/existVancouver.htm

I wonder why there's that 3 track section in the 2nd pic?

Alstom, really? I like the Strasbourg one the most, actually.

Anyway, this is a great idea! We already have the track in the city's most urban areas, so why not use it! I only worry, as a Tri-Citiesite (Tri-Citizen?) that the Evergreen line will be shoved to the side yet again.

I wonder why there's that 3 track section in the 2nd pic?

Storage tracks for trains, similar to SkyTrains (namely @stadium, near southeast of metrotown, near OMC, etc.). I guess Vancouver is envisioning this streetcar to be pretty popular.

@adamjuice:
The evergreen line won't be shoved for sure. The province and TransLink has guaranteed that. This project is a municipal one and would probably be paid through the City of Vancouver only, UNLESS it's a P3 project.

@adamjuice:
The evergreen line won't be shoved for sure. The province and TransLink has guaranteed that. This project is a municipal one and would probably be paid through the City of Vancouver only, UNLESS it's a P3 project.

On top of that, compared to the Evergreen Line's $1.4-billion cost the new downtown streetcar is just a tiny fraction of that 10-digit figure. It wouldn't affect anything.

The Porto Metro streetcar is sexy. Grass looks so good on a dedicated streetcar line.

New Uploaded Document of the City Streetcar Project:


Why a Downtown Streetcar?

Vancouver’s Transit Strategy depends upon an expanded network of rail-based services. The future Downtown Streetcar is an important component of this strategy that will extend the regional transit network to connect major destinations in the metropolitan core, including Granville Island, Chinatown, and Gastown.

The Downtown Streetcar, if built, would provide a direct connection to two regional rapid transit lines – the Canada Line and the Expo Line. It could ultimately be expanded to connect with the extension of the Millennium Line and to destinations such as Stanley Park, UBC, and south along the Arbutus Corridor.

The Downtown Streetcar could be an important element of a sustainable transportation system that will support Vancouver’s Olympic Village and the larger Southeast False Creek (SEFC) sustainable neighbourhood. For SEFC, the Downtown Streetcar would reduce transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle kilometres driven by 25 to 50 per cent.

Expanded rail infrastructure would also support Vancouver’s growing communities by providing more accessible and green transportation options. In SEFC, the streetcar will be located in a dedicated green median which will incorporate innovative stormwater features including infiltration galleries.

Recent survey findings from the Mustel Group revealed that over 80 per cent of respondents are in favour of a streetcar service linking Granville Island with Downtown and the Canada Line.

Due to the forecasted high ridership of the Downtown Streetcar, preliminary financial analysis suggests a better than break-even operation scenario – a significant finding for a new transit system. The project will, however, need contributions from many partners to be realized.



The 2010 Demonstration Project – A First Step

Vancouver City Council decided in March 2008 to support a transportation showcase project for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. By January 2010, a demonstration version of the Downtown Streetcar will run
between Granville Island and the new Canada Line Olympic Village Station (see map) using modern streetcars.

Delivering a streetcar system by 2010 was one of the proposed public transportation projects of the Vancouver 2010 Bid Book. A demonstration Downtown Streetcar for the 2010 Winter Games will ensure reliable, accessible, and sustainable transportation for the athletes, visitors and residents alike. Modern and fully accessible streetcars could operate every six minutes between Granville Island and the future Canada Line Olympic Village station.

The demonstration portion of the future Downtown Streetcar line already has a dedicated rail right-of-way, with 1.8 kilometres of track for a restored heritage streetcar that presently runs on weekends during the tourist season. This track is being replaced and both heritage and modern streetcars will be able to use it.

A demonstration streetcar will extend the regional transit network during the 2010 Winter Games and decrease the number of private vehicles, motor coaches, and transit diesel buses to and from GranvilleIsland.

Actual ridership and success of the 2010 demonstration streetcar project will help determine the importance and future timing of completing remaining sections of the Downtown Streetcar line. This transportation showcase project will be an important first step in realizing the overall Downtown Streetcar line. It also signals a commitment to return the streetcar to Vancouver.


Steetcar Backgrounder ~ Source: City of Vancouver ~ http://vancouver.ca/engsvcs/transport/streetcar/pdfs/streetcarfactsheet-mar12.pdf

Note the 2010 Demonstration project will be single tracked with a passing track between Heather and Siltka Stops.

Back at SCP, we were discussing about Streetcars stop shelters and here are a few streetcar stops of other systems in the world (note stops not stations as we probably not see stations in our system)
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/94/227138760_9f3d7eec0a_o.jpg
Porto Metro ~ Source: Flickr
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/115/298939424_2bccc1913e_o.jpg
Porto Metro ~ Source: Flickr

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/96/270287513_670caa8a2d_o.jpg
Porto Metro ~ Source: Flickr

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/92/261441487_c06cd5b97b_o.jpg
Porto Metro ~ Source: Flickr

http://images.nycsubway.org/i28000/img_28486.jpg
Houston Light Rail ~ Source: NYC Subway

http://www.charlottesierraclub.org/images/lynx2007.jpg
Charlotte LYNX ~ Source: Wikipedia

http://www.the-bus-stops-here.org/Portland_Streetcar-SB_NW11th_NS_NW_Johnson.JPG
Portland (a little bland) ~ Source: The Bus Stops Here

Anyone remember these? They can be easily reused...
http://www.via-architecture.com/projects/richmondrapidbus/image02.jpg
98 B-Line Stops ~ Source: Via Architecture

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/76/98b-linestop.jpg/450px-98b-linestop.jpg
98 B-Line Stops ~ Source: Wikipedia

Just so that we can envy Porto Metro a little more:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/117/255552850_cc8d95891f_o.jpg
Porto Metro ~ Source: Flickr

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/52/270285199_91639925ec_o.jpg
Porto Metro ~ Source: Flickr

just a point of info. having a grass as the median of the streetcar would look good but cost alot of money when it comes down to maintenance costs... it appears that is why they wont be implemented in toronto for that very reason.... we can learn alot from the ttc....

Well then you got to wonder why we don't turn our parks and lawns into concrete playgrounds. :)

We should, look at how successful yaletown park has been *cough*

I agree though the grass is a little much, it would work in certain sections but not everywhere. Can you imagine grass in the middle of the road in gastown?
Something like cobblestone/blocks that can absorb runoff would be ideal and much cheaper in the long run.

Manicured lawns are pretty bad from an environmental standpoint. The amount of fertilizers that need to be used, gasoline burned to trim the lawn. The only thing they're good for is that they don't create heat corridors like most transportation corridors. I'd rather see slow growing plants and flowers grown in gravel along the corridor. That would require much less maintenance and also make it more obvious that it's a transportation strip. If I saw a grassy strip like that I'd be tempted to have a picnic on that nice grass strip, yay! Oh and Fido... go poo over there!

Having it down Arbutus would be pretty good actually (between West and East Blvd). But yeah, it only works in some areas.

and there are other things that must be considered like drainage etc...

Alstom, really? I like the Strasbourg one the most, actually.

Anyway, this is a great idea! We already have the track in the city's most urban areas, so why not use it! I only worry, as a Tri-Citiesite (Tri-Citizen?) that the Evergreen line will be shoved to the side yet again.

the vancouver street car is a city of vancouver project

the evergreen line is a provincial/translink project

funding and all is different

no need to worry

It should be a Translink project so it is part of the transit system and not a tourist route.

http://photos-e.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v233/79/110/537325252/n537325252_2667276_6841.jpg
Vancouver Heritage StreetCar ~ Picture by Me

http://photos-f.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v233/79/110/537325252/n537325252_2667277_7164.jpg
Streetcar Tracks ~ Picture by Me

http://photos-g.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v233/79/110/537325252/n537325252_2667278_7611.jpg
Streetcar Tracks ~ Picture by Me

http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/ca/)
This work (above) is licensed under a Creative Commons Licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/ca/).

New developments with the Streetcar:

http://vancouver.ca/bid/bidopp/ITT/documents/PS08108.pdf

hm, for some reason I couldn't open it.

could someone please summarize where we're at with this?

Sorry fixed that. basically it's an application to allow companies to bid for the streetcar project... supply & delivery of the vehicles. City of Vancouver will be retrofitting the current track corridor with a passing track in the near future.

I can't wait to see what the cars look like in the demonstration phase for the Olympics.

This is a really exciting project. It HAS TO BE a success as far as ridership during the games for the rest of the network to be built. I cannot see this not getting built!

Sorry fixed that. basically it's an application to allow companies to bid for the streetcar project... supply & delivery of the vehicles. City of Vancouver will be retrofitting the current track corridor with a passing track in the near future.

Great, thanks Deasine.

Im glad to hear that it's goig out to bid. Hopefully they can fast-track this so that we can have the line running Stanley Park circle around to Granville Island; by the time for the Olympics.

Im sure that would get used HEAVILY and would really give visitors the full 'vancouver experience'.

^ Stanley Park to Chinatown to Olympic Village to Granville Island would cost in excess of $100-million, and it definitely wouldn't be built in time for 2010.....little planning has been done for that entire route nor is there funding. But I do agree with you that it would be well used.

The Granville Island to Olympic Village section will be completed by 2010 as a demo in time for the Games.

will they force people off the train at some area?

isn't the olympic village area like off limits for a huge area surrounding it?

didn't someone say the new station on cambie at the bridge will not be accessible to the general public??

will they force people off the train at some area?

isn't the olympic village area like off limits for a huge area surrounding it?

didn't someone say the new station on cambie at the bridge will not be accessible to the general public??

I believe they said Olympic Village Station would be closed during the Games.....of course, plans always change - the budget for security certainly has.

If the station is closed, I think what they might do is just have trains zoom pass Olympic Village Station without stopping.

If the station is closed, I think what they might do is just have trains zoom pass Olympic Village Station without stopping.

To where? A switch, where it will turn around? I thought the line was only going to run between the Olympic Village and Granville Island?

To where? A switch, where it will turn around? I thought the line was only going to run between the Olympic Village and Granville Island?

Haha! Umm... this might clear things up:
Olympic Village Station = Canada Line
Olympic Village Stop = StreetCar

Anyway... more requests for proposals regarding the streetcar. This one is for the concrete ties.

gauge is the standard 4'8.5"
axle weight is 12tons
powered by overheard catenary of ~650Kw
Delivery by Feb1 2009 but after Nov 1, 2008.
Tournout specs: 25 km/hr


http://vancouver.ca/bid/bidopp/ITT/documents/PS08117.pdf
http://vancouver.ca/bid/bidopp/ITT/documents/PS08119.pdf

Haha! Umm... this might clear things up:
Olympic Village Station = Canada Line
Olympic Village Stop = StreetCar

Ah, I was thinking it might be something like that. Where the streetcar stop would be outside the village security cordon.

The streetcar vehicles themselves will be leased, correct?

To where? A switch, where it will turn around? I thought the line was only going to run between the Olympic Village and Granville Island?

it goes to science world

but if the olympic village is off limits how can the street car allow people to go so close to it?

This map shows the demo section. I don't see why the Olympic Village Station would be closed during the Olympics. Wouldn't that be a bit ironic?

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/3233/3402qd4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Btw - not sure where I got this. Probably off this site.

That's from the Vancouver Sun

Ummmm yeah I don't understand why either... kind of pointless since the Olympic Village itself isn't that close to the station... but yah for security reasons I could understand why...

I have a feeling the athletes won't be using transit.

Wouldnt it make sense to just lay the track all the way to Science World while the whole area is essentially ripped up with construction? It just seems an initial connection to main street station would get more people on it at the outset.

I believe they said Olympic Village Station would be closed during the Games.....of course, plans always change - the budget for security certainly has.

If the station is closed, I think what they might do is just have trains zoom pass Olympic Village Station without stopping.

Originally the Olympic Village was planned to be adjacent to the Cambie Bridge - but the IOC raised concerns about attacks launched from the bridge so it was moved further east. I'll bet that the closure plan for the Canada Line Station during the games was when the Olympic Village was adjacent to the bridge (and station).
So it may well be that the Canada Line Station (and the streetcar stop located there) will be open during the Games.

City to announce streetcar vehicle provider and new name of Downtown Streetcar 2010 Demonstration Project

Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan will be making an announcement on the morning of September 30 regarding the City of Vancouver’s modern vehicle provider for the Downtown Streetcar 2010 Demonstration Project.
Tuesday, September 30
11 am to 12 noon
Across from 1800 Spyglass Place
(at the edge of Southeast False Creek, under the Cambie Street Bridge)
At this event, Mayor Sullivan will also announce the new name of the 2010 Demonstration Project to be used during the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games.

The Mayor will be joined by executives representing the City’s modern vehicle provider and partner on this project - a leading company in the global rail sector - which will unveil the streetcar technology that will be used during the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games.
Following the formal media conference, the City of Vancouver’s Director of Olympic Transportation Dale Bracewell will take interested media and guests on a guided walkabout tour of a portion of the rail alignment to be used during the 2010 Demonstration Project (about one block away from the media conference location).

From Rusty Gill of SSP

The first press release I could find this morning.
http://www.bombardier.com/en/transportation/media-centre/press-releases/details?docID=0901260d80050cf3


BERLIN, GERMANY -- 09/30/08 -- Bombardier Transportation announced today that it has signed a sponsorship agreement with the City of Vancouver to provide up to two BOMBARDIER FLEXITY Outlook streetcars for the City's Downtown Streetcar 2010 Demonstration Project during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Bombardier will also provide operations and maintenance services for the two, 32-metre long vehicles during a 60-day period of passenger service.

The FLEXITY Outlook streetcars will be on loan from the Brussels Transport Company (STIB), which operates a 68-vehicle fleet in Brussels, Belgium, previously supplied by Bombardier Transportation. In January 2008, STIB awarded Bombardier a contract for 87 additional FLEXITY Outlook vehicles.

"The Olympic Line will provide a modern and exciting transportation experience that demonstrates the potential of a future Downtown Streetcar network for Vancouver," said Sam Sullivan, Mayor of Vancouver, B.C. "This sustainable transportation showcase is an important first step in realizing the City of Vancouver's vision for the future of the streetcar - a clean, sustainable public transit option for which we believe the day has once again
come."

Mr. Grego Peters, President, Light Rail Vehicles, Bombardier Transportation, commented, "With sincere appreciation, we thank STIB, who made our sponsorship of the City of Vancouver possible." He added, "Vancouver's Olympic Line will demonstrate a new mode of sustainable rail transportation in one of the world's most progressive transit environments.

Brussels (STIB) - Flexity Outlook tram
http://i37.tinypic.com/2m7u5xx.jpg
http://i38.tinypic.com/2uti91w.jpg
inside
http://i36.tinypic.com/27xp66a.jpg

Good work!

I'm a big fan of Brussels, so this is great. I actually prefer their older high floor variety, but this will do.

http://i38.tinypic.com/2uti91w.jpg
That's a nice champagne colour too. Subtlety is good... they know better than to flash crayon green and blue in your face everywhere you go. Seriously, my retinas have to readjust to the grayness everytime I walk out of YVR.

Here's a video of the Brussels cars we will be loaned.

7j9XzNI4cwg

The route looks like a good and logical one EXCEPT going all the way down to StanleyPark. The ridership would be next to zero. Once it get to Denman it should west atleast to Robson. It would help serve the busy WestEnd and take some traffic off the Robson and maybe even the Davie bus lines.
It doesn't have to go all the way down Denman just to Robson and then head back. Remember there is a large parking lot at Robson & Denman which would be idea for a terminal station. Yes, its the Safeway parking lot but I bet they could work out something with Safeway suchas a tax holiday or build slightly above the parking lot so the parking lot would not be effected as it already is 5 metres below Denman Street.

That parking lot is gone, has been for over a year, it's home to the new Safeway which will be opening in December. The old one was demolish.

The ridership to Stanley park is justifiable for a streetcar, take a look at the current ridership there, they would also steal some ridership from the dozens of tour buses/shuttles that head into the park. There are alot of people heading to Stanley Park besides tourists. There are numerous restaurants, the Vancouver Aquarium, a waterpark etc...

Too bad the new safeway doesn't have residential on top or something. It really doesn't look like they're using their max density/height. Something like this would have been better:

http://img395.imageshack.us/img395/8899/77157189ko3.png

is there still that free bus in stanley park? it used to do the loop around the park and it was free

Too bad the new safeway doesn't have residential on top or something. It really doesn't look like they're using their max density/height. Something like this would have been better:

http://img395.imageshack.us/img395/8899/77157189ko3.png

Safeway owns that property so they probably didn't want to deal with becoming landlords?

but it would have been nice

is there still that free bus in stanley park? it used to do the loop around the park and it was free

The City runs the free one during the summer season. The other one(s) you have to pay. Vancouver Trolley?

Besides tourists that could benefit from a streetcar into the park, there is also workers at restaurants and other facilities that use transit. Also people attending weddings, banquet functions, small concerts, sport - cricket, rugby.

Right now the 19 bus goes to the bus loop by the Pavilion/Rose Gdn, so perhaps a streetcar would terminate there as there is already the space. I wouldn't know how it would fit in with the Causeway and that roundabout on it's way up Pipeline Rd though.

Brussels ships out trams for False Creek line

Loan of light-rail streetcars is an opportunity to show off a 'well-received' technology



By Jeff Lee, Vancouver Sun
October 12, 2009

http://i471.photobucket.com/albums/rr71/yellowfever_2008/BT-PR-20091012-FLEXITY_Outlook_Brus.jpg

The city of Brussels on Monday shipped two state-of-the-art light-rail trams to Vancouver, on loan to use during the 2010 Winter Games on a refurbished 1.8-kilometre line along False Creek.

The vehicles, which were built by Canadian transportation giant Bombardier at its Bruges plant in Belgium, will operate 18 hours a day, seven days a week during the Olympic and Paralympic period between Granville Island and the Vancouver Athletes' Village.

The free service, dubbed the Olympic Line, is part of a City of Vancouver initiative to build a tourist-based light-rail service between Granville Island and the downtown core via the Main Street area. The city has spent $8.5 million so far building the demonstration portion of the line, on the former Canadian Pacific Railway right of way. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp, which operates Granville Island, contributed another $500,000.

For now the high-volume, high-density service is being limited to 60 days around the Olympics and Paralympics, and to enable its success, the Brussels public transport company STIB agreed to loan Vancouver two of its Bombardier "Flexity" low-floor trams.

The 32-metre cars are being shipped to Vancouver via Bremerhaven, Germany and are scheduled to arrive in early December. They will enter service Jan. 21, and are expected to carry upwards of 500,000 residents, tourists and athletes, according to Bombardier Benelux spokesman Guy Hendrix.

The south shore of False Creek is expected to be a major hub of activity during the Olympics, with Granville Island, the base for many Francophone hospitality houses, at one end and the athletes' village, the Russian pavilion, the Hockey Canada House and several provincial pavilions at the other end.

For Bombardier it is an aggressive attempt to promote the Flexity in North America. Bombardier currently has more than 450 of the cars in service in major European cities, including Brussels, Innsbruck, Geneva, Marseille, Valencia and Alicante.

Until recently, however, it had yet to make much of an inroad into car-dominant North America. In June, it signed a massive $850 million deal to supply the Toronto Transit Commission with 204 cars. They will go into service between 2012 and 2018.

But in Vancouver, which has virtually no light rail lines other than the False Creek demonstration project, the goal is much more modest.

"You have in Vancouver an historic line," Hendrix said. "It is meant for us to show off to the world a tram that is well-received in Europe."

For the Belgians, it was a chance to show off their mass people-mover with pride. "We are very proud that our Flexity Outlook tram with its art nouveau excellent design has been selected by our colleagues of Vancouver and Bombardier as an example of what a modern and efficient tram should look like and be," Hendrix said in a news release. "I am confident that being there with our tram in the middle of a worldwide event like the Winter Olympics will contribute both to the future success of the tram on the North American continent and to the image of Brussels as a city dedicated to public transport and sustainable mobility."

jefflee@vancouversun.com

Read Jeff Lee's Olympics blog at www.vancouversun.com/insidetheolympics

Streetcars are ok as long as they are separated from the traffic. While growing up in Europe i am used to share the road with them and bikes. But here most are not able to handle even just bikes on the road! see how many accident the Seattle light rail already had.

The line in Vancouver is pretty short and only run from Granville island to the Olympic village, so hopefully, there won't be too much problem between the trams and the general traffic.

Well the entire corridor (at least this portion of Phase 0) has its own ROW, with one at-grade crossing at Moberly Rd, so traffic shouldn't be an issue. The rest of the streetcar project, specifically the portion entering Chinatown and beyond, is running with traffic, which is a different story of course.

New Vancouver streetcars unveiled in False Creek

Updated: Mon Dec. 07 2009 13:18:09

ctvbc.ca

The first of two Bombardier Flexity streetcars, which will operate for free in Vancouver beginning in January, 2010, was unveiled on Monday in False Creek.

The streetcars are the first 100 per cent low-floor vehicles to be used in North America.

"This is the latest state-of-the-art modern European streetcar design," Bombardier General Manager Steve Hall said.

The streetcars will transport passengers from the Athletes Village Canada Line stop to Granville Island from January 21 to March 21.

The service will run 18 hours a day, seven days a week -- for free.

"We want everybody to enjoy it and have fun," Hall said. "It's a demonstration for all the people in Metro Vancouver to see what this transit option is really like, to ride it, feel it, and have a sense of what could be possible here."

A permanent streetcar service, running 21 stops from Main Street to Stanley Park through the downtown core, has also been proposed.

Hall said he hopes the streetcars will help combat climate change by drawing people out of their cars.

"There's a whole wave of effort to make transit vehicles as attractive and comfortable as possible," Hall said. "Big windows, open, and comfortable."

The Flexity streetcars are on loan from Belgium's Brussels Transport Company and will run on existing Downtown Historic Railway infrastructure, which was upgraded for $8.5 million from the City of Vancouver.

More information on Flexity streetcars can be found at the Bombardier website.

(CTV, 2009)

See full article w/ photos: http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20091207/bc_vancouver_streetcars_091207/20091207/?hub=BritishColumbiaHome

Hopefully, the streetcars service will become permanent after the games.

Hopefully, the streetcars service will become permanent after the games.
I thought they were going back to Brussels?

I know those streetcars are here on loan only, but Vancouver might decide buying them if the price is right. Hey, you'd never know! :)

Streetcars are ok as long as they are separated from the traffic. While growing up in Europe i am used to share the road with them and bikes. But here most are not able to handle even just bikes on the road! see how many accident the Seattle light rail already had.

I don't know about that, people will adjust to them. We seem to do fine in Toronto with them, and we only have a handful of dedicated lines. That's not to say it never happens though, there will always be bad drivers out there.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/166/402839185_e34cca5594_b.jpg

I almost got creamed by a car from Saskatchewan once, who did not understand the stopping to yield to disembarking streetcar riders. You really have to look before you step out.

I almost got creamed by a car from Saskatchewan once, who did not understand the stopping to yield to disembarking streetcar riders. You really have to look before you step out.

Thankfully, that won't happen with the proposed Streetcar system as there are platforms. Then again, platforms aren't going to stop a stupid driver from crashing through... :lol:

I'm curious as to why they're testing with a vehicle built in Europe? What are the main differences between that model and the model from Thunder Bay Toronto has on order?

http://www.bombardier.us/files/en/supporting_docs/image_and_media/products/BT-PR-20090630-TTC_Street_Car.jpg

Toronto wasn't kind enough to loan us a couple of trams for the Olympics, Brussels was. Enough said.

^^ LOL :cheers:

I'm surprised someone we know hasn't rubbed it in yet! :lol:

Going to be in service on Jan 21st. Mark your calendars guys.

I'm curious as to why they're testing with a vehicle built in Europe? What are the main differences between that model and the model from Thunder Bay Toronto has on order?

http://www.bombardier.us/files/en/supporting_docs/image_and_media/products/BT-PR-20090630-TTC_Street_Car.jpg

DKaz is needlessly bashing Toronto in this case. The TTC have yet to receive their new trams from Thunder Bay, so it was logical for Vancouver to get our trams from another source. Fingers crossed that the city can find funding to move this from demonstration project to an ongoing operation.

CTV's report: http://watch.ctv.ca/news/clip256177#clip256177

DKaz is needlessly bashing Toronto in this case. The TTC have yet to receive their new trams from Thunder Bay, so it was logical for Vancouver to get our trams from another source. Fingers crossed that the city can find funding to move this from demonstration project to an ongoing operation.

C'mon, there's no justification required to bash the Centre of the Universe.

C'mon, there's no justification required to bash the Centre of the Universe.

you could at least make up something that is at least remotley true, not only have the new toronto streetcars not started production, but they would be incompatable with vancouver's line anyways.

And bombardier is providing the streetcars, not brussels

Wah wah wah wah wah I didn't see anyone stepping up to answer AndrewJM3D's question so I decided to make a funny. RELAX! :cheers:

Torontonians would LOVE to see their streetcars but that won't happen til, I believe , 2012 and they will come in installments.
Its amazing how Vancouverites are so excited about one on-loan streetcar especially when Toronto will be getting over 300 new ones over the next decade. I guess things really do impress small minds.

I don't like the idea of the new streetcar touristy thing. I can't stand it when a city puts ANY money into a tourist route as opposed to ttransit for its citizens with my tax dollars.

No one seemed to understand DKaz's sarcasm. Anyways, I'll be the first to post/report about the streetcar ride tomorrow.

Olympic Line streetcars set to open

Two state of the art trains are on loan from Belgium
Britt Carlsen Jan 21, 2010 00:30:27 AM
5 Recommendation(s)

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - Streetcar service is making a resurgence in Vancouver and the city hopes it is something that will continue. The Olympic Line project is a partnership between the city of Vancouver and Bombardier Transportation, who brought in the two Flexity cars from Belgium. From Thursday January 21st starting at 9:30 a.m., the free service will run between Granville Island, 2nd Avenue and Cambie daily from 6:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. through March 21st.

Bernie Edie, one of 23 locomotive engineers who will be operating the trains, had much to say on the history of streetcars in Vancouver. Streetcars arrived in the city in June of 1980, "they were green then and they didn't even know it. The streetcars served Vancouver very well for 65 years."

Edie adds the relationship between the Olympic Line streetcars and those of Vancouver's past are closely linked, the last train ran in April of 1955, "that was on Hastings street. The reason they left the streetcars on that line for as long as they did is because of the Commonwealth Empire Games, they thought it would add more capacity. Well guess what? Here we are 55 years later with a car that has more capacity."

As for the new trains, Edie is impressed. "They're not only quiet but they have what you call regenerative braking, so when you are in a breaking mode power goes back up the lines, its total acclimatized. It's a very high tech machine, Bombardier did a marvelous job."

The City of Vancouver has a vision for streetcars in the future and feels they are a clean and sustainable option for public transit in our city. The Olympic Line project has already won the Sustainability Star Award, which recognizes a service or initiative that presents a solution to a local or global sustainability challenge.

http://www.news1130.com/news/local/article/19138--olympic-line-streetcars-set-to-open

http://media.greenradio.topscms.com/images/20/e2/a80944cb41b0ba5237f9337eda18.jpeg
A future Downtown Streetcar would extend the regional transit network to connect major destinations in the metropolitan core, including Granville Island, Stanley Park, Chinatown, Gastown, Yaletown and the Stadium district.
City of Vancouver

the streetcar was great! I liked it and certainly would prefer riding those on my commute than buses. But like everyone has said already, trams should be thought of for the purposes of shorter routes, connecting with the main haul system. Ride quality was smooth and quiet. Seats are leather, but really, I think our new SkyTrain seats are more comfortable. All in all, great ride, and I hope to see the system come to fruition.

Here's my full Flickr gallery (http://www.flickr.com/photos/46784044@N02/sets/72157623135136267/), finally done and solved. Quick photos here:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4071/4294200587_197fdb7b97.jpg
My photography on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/46784044@N02/sets/72157623135136267/)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2648/4294200901_e34affb33f.jpg
My photography on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/46784044@N02/sets/72157623135136267/)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4294943934_c1fc28a859.jpg
My photography on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/46784044@N02/sets/72157623135136267/)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2779/4294203805_c79a28cb5c.jpg
My photography on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/46784044@N02/sets/72157623135136267/)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2681/4294948020_0c09a31038.jpg
My photography on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/46784044@N02/sets/72157623135136267/)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4058/4294950366_26902be081.jpg
My photography on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/46784044@N02/sets/72157623135136267/)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4294953392_8cb88d2cc7.jpg
My photography on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/46784044@N02/sets/72157623135136267/)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4043/4294212255_425afd7617.jpg
My photography on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/46784044@N02/sets/72157623135136267/)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2695/4294959334_c9ab180618.jpg
My photography on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/46784044@N02/sets/72157623135136267/)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2795/4294962342_2bd15428d2.jpg
My photography on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/46784044@N02/sets/72157623135136267/)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/4294963348_2114b3abeb.jpg
My photography on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/46784044@N02/sets/72157623135136267/)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2751/4294233593_21ffde8f5e.jpg
My photography on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/46784044@N02/sets/72157623135136267/)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/4294988250_1c522a02d8.jpg
My photography on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/46784044@N02/sets/72157623135136267/)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4294995962_5dba92b411.jpg
My photography on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/46784044@N02/sets/72157623135136267/)

And here are a few new signs. Sadly, the information signs at Granville Island were installed incorrectly, and the arrows all point in the wrong direction. I'm not used to seeing French all over Vancouver now, but I certainly don't mind it.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4011/4294231235_26d4174d8f_o.jpg
My photography on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/46784044@N02/sets/72157623135136267/)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4043/4294993792_bcbdbbfc2d.jpg
My photography on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/46784044@N02/sets/72157623135136267/)

And they've installed new signs to warn pedestrians about the streetcar, in addition to removing the old signs.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4294193383_a277c09f3a_o.jpg
My photography on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/46784044@N02/sets/72157623135136267/)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4294936252_214b7c118c.jpg
My photography on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/46784044@N02/sets/72157623135136267/)

And a bonus massive Bell advertisement.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4070/4294194169_b0903c3680.jpg
My photography on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/46784044@N02/sets/72157623135136267/)

I don't like the idea of the new streetcar touristy thing. I can't stand it when a city puts ANY money into a tourist route as opposed to ttransit for its citizens with my tax dollars.

You live in the City of Vancouver now? Since when? ;) This was mostly funded by CoV and partially funded by Granville Island.

Great photos, Deasine!

if i lived in kits i would walk to granville island and catch the streetcar and trasnfer at canada line if it was there - i am sure a lot of people will use it to commute even in its "tourist" version

if i lived in kits i would walk to granville island and catch the streetcar and trasnfer at canada line if it was there - i am sure a lot of people will use it to commute even in its "tourist" version

That's honestly a misconception. In fact, according to a TRAMS driver, while there are many tourists, most of the ridership is actually locals. They've reached a ridership of between 1000-1500 passengers per day when they are in service, despite running only a few trains each day.

http://photos-e.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v233/79/110/537325252/n537325252_2667276_6841.jpg

Guys, when & where was this picture taken?

This is an ex-STIB (Brussels) PCC streetcar from the 1950s! :) If the electrics haven't been modified, it could run on the new tracks as well... which would make an interesting picture, a 1952 PCC and a 2009 Flexity, both from Brussels, (re)united in Vancouver. On a side note: the remaining first generation PCCs (like this one) in Brussels will be retired after 58 years in service, on Feb. 12th.

JJN

Guys, when & where was this picture taken?

This is an ex-STIB (Brussels) PCC streetcar from the 1950s! :) If the electrics haven't been modified, it could run on the new tracks as well... which would make an interesting picture, a 1952 PCC and a 2009 Flexity, both from Brussels, (re)united in Vancouver. On a side note: the remaining first generation PCCs (like this one) in Brussels will be retired after 58 years in service, on Feb. 12th.

JJN

That trains still sits in the rail shed near Olympic Village Stn.

I took the street car the other day and it was pretty packed, most people didn't look like tourists. Iit's really convenient to be able to get to Granville Island without driving (parking is hell on the island). Why didn't they have this when I was still working there? :wallbash:
Guys, when & where was this picture taken?

This is an ex-STIB (Brussels) PCC streetcar from the 1950s! :) If the electrics haven't been modified, it could run on the new tracks as well... which would make an interesting picture, a 1952 PCC and a 2009 Flexity, both from Brussels, (re)united in Vancouver. On a side note: the remaining first generation PCCs (like this one) in Brussels will be retired after 58 years in service, on Feb. 12th.

JJN
I asked the attendant about this and she said that they were still restoring it and at the moment it was going to be used. No idea if it will run one day in Vancouver.

I asked the attendant about this and she said that they were still restoring it and at the moment it was going to be used. No idea if it will run one day in Vancouver.

Thanks for the info :) What a coincidence... There are only a few of those PCCs (series "7000") left outside Brussels: one in San Francisco, and the other in Vancouver.

JJN

Toronto wasn't kind enough to loan us a couple of trams for the Olympics, Brussels was. Enough said.
lol, do you really want to have our awful excuse for a streetcar?:lol:

I don't think Toronto has a streetcar younger than 30 years.

More importantly, they run on tracks with a gauge unique to Toronto. They can never be used in another city.

Not to revive a dead thread, but whats happened with this light rail line? Was it on a already existing rail or what?

obviously its not on the Greater Vancouver transit authorities priority list due to the lack of funding and the uncertainty of the future potential ridership.

I know but they couldnt have possibly wasted 100s of millions of dolllars just to build a temporary light rail system.

No, they didn't build the track, they just simply used the old street cars track which was built and used almost 100 years ago!

^Ah, I see. What a shame, an opportunity to obtain a light rail system for cheap doesnt come often.

they replaced the track and ties on an existing line - they ripped out the old and put in all new

No, they didn't build the track, they just simply used the old street cars track which was built and used almost 100 years ago!

They did put on a new track over the old one...and yes, they spent $100 million on it and now it's wasted. They also spent money to construct the platforms and shelters for the stations. Makes a lot of sense to link Canada Line Station to Granville Island with a couple of trams like during the olympics. No political will to see it get done in Vancouver.....that's all.

the volunteers were running the street car or were planning to do so again as they have for years down there

the money to run it and the whole project is a city of vancouver project and there are all tied up with the olympic village i thnk if they weren't stuck with that we might see movement on the streetcar

yes that line would have been a nice connection to granville island. we were lucky to ride that temporary olympic line last winter olympics.

the volunteers were running the street car or were planning to do so again as they have for years down there

the money to run it and the whole project is a city of vancouver project and there are all tied up with the olympic village i thnk if they weren't stuck with that we might see movement on the streetcar

With so much new construction of high-end condos downtown, you would think the city would be flushed with property tax revenue from new people moving in to run 2 trams over a short route...you would think.

Lower the prices of the suites at the olympic village by 10 to 15% and I'm sure they'll be snapped up like hotcakes. The units are just too expensive for a growing area without any good amenities nearby (I mean walking distance).

NPA's Suzanne Anton promises streetcar system if elected


By GERRY BELLETT, Vancouver Sun September 21, 2011

http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/5438148.bin?size=620x400

VANCOUVER -- An NPA council would revive plans to build a $100-million streetcar system linking Canada Place to Granville Island, mayoral candidate Suzanne Anton announced Wednesday.

“The downtown streetcar represents an important connection between our city’s past and Vancouver’s future prosperity,” said Anton, the sole Non-Partisan Association representative on council, who is attempting to unseat Mayor Gregor Robertson in the Nov. 19 election.

Anton made the announcement behind the Olympic Village Canada Line station near the track for the streetcars that ran between the station and Granville Island during the 2010 Olympics. She was surrounded by a number of NPA candidates seeking election to council and park board.

Anton said that within 60 days of an NPA administration taking over city hall, a task force would be set up to prepare a business plan for a street car system.

She said a 2005 study estimated it would cost about $81 million for the initial construction and $21 million for a fleet of six cars. The committee would update the estimated cost, she said.

Anton said the system would pay for itself within 10 years as it would generate up to 14,000 boardings daily, comparable to the New Orleans street car system and San Francisco’s.

She said city hall would seek partners from the development community, private corporations and the transportation sector as well as senior governments to build and operate the system.

However, she was reluctant to say how much she thought the city should put into the project to make it go.

“The city has already invested in the property,” she said.

She also took a swipe at Robertson’s desire to make Vancouver the world’s greenest city.

“The downtown streetcar system will do more to make Vancouver the world’s greenest city than any current Vision plans, which are more about style than real results,” she said.

gbellett@vancouversun.com


Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Suzanne+Anton+promises+streetcar+system+elected/5438107/story.html#ixzz1Yk8v21HO

I'm all for a light rail tram. but, 14,000 boardings daily? Really? The electric trolley bus lines carry double that already. It doesn't seem a good use of funds given that it will be simply duplicating existing electric bus lines.

Don't get me wrong, I want to see it happen, but those numbers are not promising.

yeah, 14,000 isn't that much and it really makes you wonder if it would be justified to spend 100 million to build that network.

Well, that Vancouver Sun article did mention it would pay for itself after 10 years. I can't say if that's BS or not. But anyways, once you have the system in place, it's there for decades, perhaps lifetimes. And you can expand on it, creating a larger system (like what is happening with our Skytrain network.).

I'm all for a light rail tram. but, 14,000 boardings daily? Really? The electric trolley bus lines carry double that already. It doesn't seem a good use of funds given that it will be simply duplicating existing electric bus lines.

Don't get me wrong, I want to see it happen, but those numbers are not promising.

The streetcar routes do not really duplicate the electric trolley bus lines. There are no electric trolley buses running along 6th Ave, Pacific Boulevard, Drake Street, Water Street and Georgia Street. The only one that has trolley buses running is along Main Street. The streetcar user numbers will definitely grow especially when all the constructions along the Olympic Village corridor are completed. The streetcars would provide crucial links for residents there to the Main street and Olympic Village stations. There would be a high usage then. Mayor Robertson does not have any Vision as he cannot even plan the city properly.

I already like the new mayoral candidate from NPA.