TransLink considers aerial gondola to SFU gondola, SFU, TransLink, aerial, considers

Lik

http://www.vancouversun.com/Tran ... /3563211/story.html

TransLink considers aerial gondola to SFU
By Kelly Sinoski, Vancouver Sun September 22, 2010 1:07 PM

METRO VANCOUVER - TransLink is considering a proposal for an aerial gondola to Simon Fraser University, saying such a move would free up buses, save costs and potentially whisk 3,000 people an hour up the mountain.

The transit authority has issued a request for proposals for the gondola, which has been pitched by the SFU Community Trust.

TransLink spokesman Ken Hardie said the transit authority decided to consider the proposal based on the success of Whistler's Peak 2 Peak gondola.

It's still early stages, he said, but a proposed gondola would likely run from Production Way Station on the Millennium Line to SFU, making the trip in just eight minutes — four to six minutes less than a typical bus ride up the mountain. Hardie said a gondola would also be more reliable because it wouldn't be affected by snow and rain, which can clog up the roads and tie up buses.

Such a move would also free up buses for other areas of the region, Hardie said. If TransLink were to move 3,000 people up the mountain now, he said, it would need about 25 to 30 buses.

"This could be a green alternative," he said. "What we really need to do is have a very serious look at the concept to see if there is a business plan for it."

Hardie had no specifics on the cost or alignment of such a proposal, saying that would come out in the RFPs, which are expected to come back by March next year.

Lik

Could this possibly be one of the rare times when Translink comes up with a good idea? Mind you, for this to be viable, there are still lots of associated details that need to fall into place, namely rates and fares (just treat it as part of the normal bus-Skytrain fare program instead of something separate like the SeaBus) and emergency response teams.

-Lik

myversa

Maybe they should extend the skytrain to more subburn area such as maple ridge or mission.

lo_pak

回復 3# myversa

Mission, no way, it does not belong to GVRD... .

As far as I know, even the Evergreen line is completed, Translink has no plan to extend the skytrain passed Coquitlam. Westcoast Express is doing a decent job connecting the eastern areas to the suburban terminal at Coquitlam.

lo_pak

回復 2# Lik

If the skytrain extension to UBC is on agenda, I can't see why gondola to SFU would be neglected.

Guy

gondola is good.. but better not too high from the ground.. becuz SFU mountain is windy~

staying below the treeline is the best...

BiscottiGelato

Yes, when I heard it on News 1130 last night, that wow. 1 in a millenia rare event that Translink comes up with a good idea!

I'm sure the dumb executives and board will shoot it down in no time.... Translink and doing a good thing? No possible, com'on~ It's all wishful thinking, LOL.

pkphilip

Do you think this is just another scheme to ask for price increase to offset the cost for building this in the future? Or is this just another way for them to use up the excess cash for another "investment"?

I am just sick and tired of these people keep messing around with our money by building this infrastructure and that. The excuse is always good for everyone, but I bet that the tranlink board would probably pocket quite some amount (either internally or externally)

Without any solid figures (they can't even produce it at the moment), I can't say if this is good or not. Give me a ROI, and I will consider it... I was quite surprised that the CanadaLine was actually making some money ahead of schedule.

How many people are using the transit system up and down of SFU? They claim the new system could accomodate 3000 people an hour, are there that much traffic?

Philip

lo_pak

回復 8# pkphilip

3000 at peak, possible...

Lik

Philip,

I think you might be underestimating public transit's popularity at SFU (and for that matter, at the universities, and soon at the local colleges). Since the days of the U-Pass, ridership at the universities has been very strong. Additionally, with the housing developments at UniverCity, the need for public transit up the Burnaby Mountain has probably increased as well. University has also further approved another chunk of land up there at SFU for further real estate development, and developers are looking to build more apartments, condos, and other supporting facilities up there on the hill.

-Lik