btvancouver

Good morning!

Due to a working fire at Victoria & 33rd Avenue, service on the #20 Victoria/downtown is a bit messy this morning, to say the least.

Trolleys on the southbound run are only going as far as Commercial/Broadway Station and turning around to head back downtown.

Diesel shuttles are operating between Commercial/Broadway and Harrison Loop.

There are also delays in getting the trolleys into service (at this time) because they have to take a longer route around the fire scene to get to their starting points.

Thanks to our customers in advance for their patience.

Hi All!

Have you had a look at the forecast?  Tonight we may see some snow at higher elevations, and with the temps staying low through the week we really have to watch for “black ice”.

The “high” on Thursday during the day is expected to reach only one degree. Especially if you are commuting in the early morning hours or late at night. Bridges, overpasses, on and off ramps and secondary routes tend to get quite slick. Bring your speed down, and use extra caution when starting and stopping.

If you are using transit, please dress warmly. Of course before you leave the house, get the “low down” on your traffic and weather from Breakfast Television so you know what to expect!

Updates to come! Enjoy the week, at least there’s a lot of sun to go with that chilly weather!

M

Come join Kyle Donaldson and I for the 2nd annual “Spay-ghetti and No Balls…and intimate affair!” at the Vancouver Rowing Club! This event is SO much fun, by far one of the best events of the year, and all for a GREAT cause.

The night includes a beautiful Vegetarian Italian dinner, burlesque show, and performance by BC’s very own Frank Sinatra tribute artist Rick Valiant. That’s not all; there are very cool items to be bid on by silent and live auction. Let me tell you, it got pretty crazy last year, you just never know what’s going to happen. Especially with Kyle and I as your hosts. You are also invited to stay after the performances to dance the rest of the night away! It’s actually a GREAT Valentines night out!

Come support the BCSPCA and our furry friends around the province, and have a GREAT time doing it! For tickets go to spca.bc.ca/spayghetti.

We’ll see you there!!

M

Road and traffic conditions are playing hob with bus service South of the Fraser and in the Tri-Cities/Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows area this morning.

Many buses in those areas are running considerably behind schedule, so customers need to plan additional time into their morning commutes if possible. Remember to wear the right clothing for being outdoors in this weather, in case you’re waiting longer than usual or have to walk.

With SFU Burnaby Mountain closed, 40′ buses will stay on the job on the #145 route from Production Way Station.

SkyTrain is running with all trains attended by SkyTrain Attendants (STAs), so we’re running fewer trains, but the trains are longer, which means overall capacity is about the same. Bottom line: longer waits on the platforms between trains, but more people getting on-board when the train does come.

West Vancouver reports no problems — they got rain for the most part.

HandyDART is running essential services only — dialysis and cancer treatment — for the time-being.

SkyTrain — all trains are being attended by SkyTrain attendants, which means we’re running fewer trains with longer gaps between the trains. The trains have more cars, however, so we’re still running about the same capacity as usual. Buses — bus service is affected by the road and traffic conditions in localized areas. Routes served by 60′ articulated buses are being served by 40′ standard-size buses for the time-being — that includes the #145 to SFU, so customers going there can expect heavy loads and more passups than usual until we can get the 60-footers back into action. The 99 B-Line is still using the 60′ buses. There is a report of a crash on Nordel Way: that will affect any bus service using the Alex Fraser Bridge. Other services in Surrey are running behind schedule due to the conditions. HandyDART — is running essential services only — i.e. dialysis and cancer treatments only — for the time-being.

Hello All!! (HandyDart is running on essential service levels only!)

We’ve got quite the commute on our hands this morning. If you have decided to use TRANSIT over taking your car into work. Here’s what you need to know from Translink Spokesperson Drew Snider.

“Roads are treacherous in some parts of Metro Vancouver this morning, although the snow has already turned to rain in downtown Vancouver.

SkyTrain ran trains overnight to keep the tracks clear of snow. Trains will have SkyTrain Attendants on them during the morning rush hour, which means we have to reduce the number of trains but run longer trains to maintain capacity. Customers should expect longer-than-usual waits between trains.

Coast Mountain Bus is running according to the road and weather conditions, which means there could be diversions or “short-turns” at times, especially at higher elevations.

The #135, #145 and #480 buses are changing off the 60′ articulated buses for 40′ standard-size coaches. Customers going to SFU should be prepared for heavy loads and passups as a result. If possible, we will insert additional 40′ coaches to ease the load.

In general, people need to prepare for the weather and expect they may have to walk or wait outside for a while. Dress for cold weather and wear proper footwear.”

I will continue to update my blog as new information comes in.

Travel safely

M

Happy New Year to all!
To make sure people get home safely, transit service will be free of charge as of 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 31.

West Coast Express will run the same afternoon schedule as on Christmas Eve, leaving Waterfront at 1, 3, 4:20, 5:30 and 6:20 with no TrainBus at 12:55.

Additional buses will be put into service throughout the system to accommodate the large numbers of people we anticipate. However, the final NightBus departures will remain the same: 3:09 a.m. from downtown Vancouver except for the N24 Upper Lonsdale (3:12) and the N10 Brighouse Stn (4:39)

SkyTrain will extend its service by approximately one hour on all lines. The last trains will leave Waterfront Station for King George at 2:16 a.m., King George for Waterfront at 1:38 a.m., Waterfront for YVR-Airport at 2:05 a.m. and Brighouse at 2:15 a.m.

SeaBus will also extend service by one hour, with the last sailing from Lonsdale Quay at 2:06 a.m. and Waterfront at 2:16 a.m.

West Vancouver Blue Bus will have additional buses leaving downtown for Horseshoe Bay at 1:40 a.m. and, if required, 2:10 a.m.; an additional bus will leave Horseshoe Bay at 1:10 a.m. The C12 Lions Bay Community Shuttle will continue running until 12:48 a.m. from Caulfeild Village and the #256 Whitby Estates Community Shuttle will continue until 1:25 a.m. from Park Royal.

There will be no West Coast Express service (including TrainBus) on Sat. Jan. 1, Sun. Jan. 2 or Mon. Jan. 3.  All West Coast Express regular service will resume Tuesday Jan. 4.

Monday, Jan 3 is considered a “normal work day”, and SkyTrain, SeaBus and buses will run their regular weekday hours and regular zone fares will be in effect. However, because many businesses are observing a three-day weekend, SkyTrain will have slightly reduced frequency during peak periods.

Happy New Year All! Be safe, and talk to you in 2011!

M

Happy New Year All!!

I hope you all had a great Christmas weekend! As we all know New Years is fast approaching, and the parties continue. If you plan on drinking PLEASE organize a safe ride home. Here are some numbers you need to program into you phones…

(by donation)

OPERATION RED NOSE

1-877-604-6673

Operationrednose.com

 KEYS PLEASE THE DRIVING ALTERNATIVE

604-581-0558 or 1-866-586-keys …..(5397)

 #TAXI

Obviously New Years Eve is going to be crazy for cabs and other options. Public Transit is also another great way to get home. Plan your route ahead of time, and “know before you go” to make your night move smoothly. Check out Translinks great website tripplanning.translink.bc.ca to pre plan your route!

Happy New Year, and all of the best to you and your family for 2011!

Be safe!

M

Here is the latest from Translink Spokesperson Drew Snider

“Because of the sinkhole on Marine Drive west of Fraser, 2 bus routes are still on diversion this morning.

#8 is short-turning at 49th & Fraser, and shuttles are running between 49th Ave. and the end of the route.

#100 is detouring via Kent and Main and back to Marine Drive in both directions.”

Thanks Drew!! No word on when Marine will be opening to traffic, expect delays well into the afternoon…

Traffic is once again getting through on Broadway between Glen and Clark after an earlier apartment fire. All buses are back on their regular routes…

Have a safe commute!

M