Traffic Pattern Changed
Olympic spectators may find themselves in a competition of their own once the games start: getting to the venues. With road closures, parking restrictions and about 150,000 more people using transit, it's not going to be easy to be on time for anything.
TransLink and a host of partners have in place a number of alternative options for getting to the games. Most bus routes will be on rush-hour levels all day, 160 buses will be on standby, a 3rd SeaBus has been brought in, and 48 new railcars have been added to the trains on the Expo and Millennium lines increasing the total number of cars on the two lines by almost a third.
But there's still only so much space on the roads and rails. Here's a look at some of the new and alternative ways of getting around, and a few things to keep in mind.
The Olympic Line
A modern take on an old classic, the Olympic Line has streetcars shuttling people between Granville Island and the Cambie Bridge. The ride is free, but the trains--which are on loan to Vancouver from Brussels, Belgium--are only scheduled to be here for 60 days; beyond that no firm plans have been made. But at a cost of about $8.5 million to upgrade the 1.8km of track for the Olympic Line, the hope is it won't be temporary. With the trains moving at speeds of up to 50km/hr the trip takes only a few minutes. It's currently scheduled to run between January 21 and March 21, from 6:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. daily.
More Streetcars to Come?
Mayor Robertson expressed his eagerness to bring streetcars to Vancouver at the Olympic Line launch. The Downtown Streetcar Project, which got its start in 1999 when Council approved a concept plan for a downtown streetcar system, has already outlined the possibility of a route going all the way from Granville Island to Stanley Park. But with TransLink's budget problems, Robertson was cautious in suggesting a timeline, saying "I'm hopeful we are in the five to ten years time frame."
The short ride is proving popular, with 6,000 riders on opening day, and 9,000 a day during the first weekend.
Old Street Cars
Only meters from the refurbished tracks sits a reminder of what once was. Vancouver used to have an extensive streetcar network which first began in 1890. But like many North American cities, those lines were ripped up in favour of buses and roads.
The last streetcar in Vancouver stopped running in 1955, except for a tourist-oriented single car that since 1998 has run from Science World to Granville Island during the summer months.
Security Restricts Ferries
A ferry ride on False Creek would be a great way to see the Olympic village and surrounding pavilions, but unfortunately this area is restricted for security reasons during the Olympics.
Although commercial traffic will not be affected, no ferries will be allowed past the Cambie Bridge, while private boats that are docked in the area will require a security escort. These restrictions will be in place from mid-January until the end of March.
Water Taxis Still Popular
With 45,000 people a day expected to visit Granville Island, over double that of an average summer weekend day, the water taxis of False Creek will still be bustling. Aquabus, a company that has been running since 1979, is introducing two new boats just in time for the Olympics, and both they and False Creek Ferries (the other ferry company) will be seeing a lot of traffic this February. In terms of numbers, Richard Johnston at Aquabus said, "No one really knows what to expect." But they're preparing to be busy.
Cycling Routes
TransLink has been encouraging people to get on their bikes to go to the games. They've produced a handy revised cycling map showing which of the 400 kilometres worth of bikes routes have been affected (since a number of them are). Bicycles will also not be allowed on any SkyTrains during the Olympics, though TransLink reminds people that bicycle lockers are available at most SkyTrain stations. About 60,000 bicycle trips are made each day in the City of Vancouver and this is expected to be even higher during the Olympics.
Tight Paths
But while TransLink is encouraging bicycle use--they converted four kilometres of the city's downtown streets to pedestrian and bike corridors--the diverted routes aren't all welcoming. The detour around the Olympic Village to Science World in particular has people grumbling. Even before the big crowds of the Olympic Games arrive, cyclists and pedestrians were finding it awkward to navigate the sidewalk they have been relegated to. With people walking side-by-side (especially if they're in uniform) cyclists have to slow to a crawl and give way.
As one cyclist put it as he coasted by: "This path sucks."
Despite the narrow lanes, pedestrian and bike paths will be the best way to get to many of the Olympic venues. All of the roads immediately surrounding the Games venues will be closed and some lanes of traffic will be open to Olympic vehicles and transit buses only.
The Canada Line
The premier transit option of the Winter Games, The Canada Line will usher hundreds of thousands of people from the airport and Richmond to downtown Vancouver.
At a cost of $1.9 billion dollars, the 12-mile long line was one of the largest public works projects ever undertaken in Canada. At $10 million, the cycling and pedestrian bridge attached to the Canada Line crossing of Fraser River was cheap.
During the Games, both options will make it easier to get to the Olympic Oval, and make commuting from Richmond easier for a long time to come.The Canada Line will make it possible to travel from downtown Vancouver (Waterfront SkyTrain station) to Richmond-Brighouse, near the Olympic Oval, in less than 30 minutes.
THE CONTRIBUTOR
Ian Bickis is a freelance journalist based in Vancouver, B.C. He has worked with a variety of media outlets, including CBC Radio and Television, PBS Frontline World, and the Globe and Mail. He specializes in business, environmental, and political reporting, and works in a variety of mediums.
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