Introduction

In this blog, I will be discussing the operation of the transit system in the Lower Mainland by Translink and how its projects are affecting communities and cities at both micro/macro levels.

Some of the issues that I plan to address include: transit security (installation of security cameras on buses/Skytrain, along with the creation of the transit police force), the expansion of the current bus fleet (energy-saving buses, new buses etc), the positive/negative effects of expanded rapid transit lines (the current operations of the Expo/Millennium Line and the communities that have sprung up around certain stations) and the future construction of the Canada/Evergreen line). I will try to relate these projects with personal/local experiences and stories whenever possible.

This topic was of particular interest to me, as I commute to UBC regularly. As many commuter students can attest, commuting is usually not the most enjoyable time of the day, especially on buses that are normally overcrowded (like the 99 B-Line).

Rapid transit is quickly moving to ease the burden on the B-Line buses. The 99 B-Line originally began at Lougheed Mall, but with the opening of the Millennium Line, the 99 now begins at Commercial Drive. Also, the new Canada Line to Richmond Centre will basically replace the 98 B-Line, while the proposed Evergreen Line to Coquitlam Centre will take over the current 97 B-Line.

The result of constructing these transit lines is basically along the lines of "if you build it, they will come." There has been tremendous growth along the Expo Line, with the most obvious example being Metrotown, while rapid construction of residential condos and high-rises is taking place around Millennium Line stations. It is only evitable that similar (if not greater) growth will occur in the future with the expansion of the Canada and Evergreen Lines.