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

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

Lik

Building the gondola is just a waste of money for another vanity project. Just look at the Olympics village that still has lots of units for sale. They claimed that the project will generate profits for the city. But now it is a burden, just like the Olympics was a vanity project. Building apartments at SFU is another project that will result in a few hundreds more empty units. Who would want to move up on to a hill? There are much better choices.
peter236 發表於 2010-9-23 22:39

Moron,

If you have no fxxking idea what the fxxk you are talking about, just SHUT THE FXXK UP. Do you have any idea how popular the real estate units are up there at UnivserCity? Do you know how many people are living up at UniverCity now? Do you know what kind of further (real estate) developments and supporting facilities the University is looking to go forward with? Have you even been up to SFU recently?

If you don't even have the slightest clue, please, just SHUT THE FXXK UP.

-Lik

Lik

I have not been to SFU for years and I was driving there for 45 min...

Things have changed. I am old ...
pkphilip 發表於 2010-9-23 23:09

SFU has really seen some major changes and developments in the past 10 years, as has UBC. But between the two universities, I'd have to say that SFU's changes are at least seemingly more dramatic and noticeable.

Sigh... I'm well past my prime as well la... Can't even say I'm turning into an old fart because I have already turned into one.

-OF Lik