Vancouver VS Taipei

While TransLink in Vancouver do provide an efficient transportation system, I have to apologize to say that it is in general, inferior to many of the Asian cities. Yet this is not a fair comparison. Why? Because most Asian cities are overpopulated, forcing the governments to set up ambitious expansion plans and spare huge funding in order to better serve… well, let’s get real, for winning the elections.

The reason for me to choose my hometown as a subject of comparison is because I just went back last summer. I was shocked by how the public transportation there had changed since 1997.

Major Difference - Buses:

Although Taipei does have a similar organization like TransLink, it is actually a union of many private bus companies. While they all have their own assets (i.e. bus), methods of management, all income goes to the union and eventually gets evenly split to every member company. All routes are planned and distributed by the union. The competition, however, comes in twice every year when Taipei Ministry of Transportation does evaluation on each company’s service qualities, which can lead to major penalty or further funds from the union.

Yeah, that is the “ideal” situation…

Reality is always cruel; the Ministry rarely carries out their duties unless there are outstanding achievements or serious problems. Therefore, while the services are in general (i.e. being on time, driver attitude, etc) on par with what we have here, TransLink drivers would pale when it comes to driving techniques. Notice how someone had complained about TransLink drivers being rude on the road? I have to say that is really, really mild when compared to Taipei…

Major Difference – Mass Rapid Transportation:

The Taipei Mass Rapid Transportation (MRT), Taipei's counterpart of SkyTrain, is what shocked me on my return last summer.

According to MRT official website (http://www.trtc.com.tw/e/) , under Company information -> Chronicles:

On 1988, construction began.

On 1996, the medium capacity section of MRT, Muzha Line opened (length 10.6 km)

On 1997, the major (heavy capacity) line, Danshui Line opened. (length 21.2 km)

On 1999, the second major line, Banquiao Line opened. (length 7.7 km)

………………

On 2006, the length of all MRT lines added together reaches 74.4 km, dwarfing the current 49.5 km of Vancouver SkyTrain.
(http://www.translink.bc.ca/Transportation_Services/Skytrain/)

It is amazing when we look at how it is done within a time span of only 10 year; whereas in Vancouver… well, couple weeks ago I think I have heard someone from the government calling Canada Line a “money sucker”… which really got onto my nerves for 20 minutes…

The cost of the MRT system is rumoured to be $18 billion US. This figure serves nothing more than a reference due to a lack of source.

Major Difference – Payment

TransLink uses a proof of payment system, which I personally, hated. I really wander who came up with this idea, putting full trust on all citizens? Well, not that I am saying Vancouver citizens are bad, but it is too easy to cheat on this kind of system when it comes to using the SkyTrain. It is especially true when a MK-I train comes in… as long as no SkyTrain personnel is on board, help yourself and have a free ride! Yahoo! Enjoy the thrilling views of Downtown Vancouver and Fraser Valley!

Buses in Taiwan usually cost $0.53 CAD per trip, as long as it does not hit the fare zone where passengers are required to pay a second time. The ticket price of MRT, however, is calculated by the distance traveled. The minimum price (<5km)>31 km). Like the majority of train systems through out the world, all passengers need to get across turnstiles; free rides are impossible due to heavy surveillance by cameras and guards.

Taipei also uses a contactless SmartCard system (called EasyCard) that significantly eliminates the need of carrying changes when using public transportation. These credit-card sized things are sold in convenience stores and can store a certain amount of cash value into it; just simply sweep through one of the turnstiles and the charge would be automatically deducted from the card. All MRT stations and buses running in Taipei use this system. According to the not-so-reliable Wikipedia, Toronto is also planning to introduce a similar system by 2007.

Conclusion – It is not fair to compare Taipei and Vancouver!

Right! So I begged your pardon at the very beginning!

One day I was reading on one of these free SkyTrain newspapers and I noticed something that really broke my heart. Now I wasn’t sure if it was the Finance Minister of BC, but anyhow, he whined about how the Canadian government put most of their emphasis on the East Coast and ignoring the West. BC is often faced with severe budget cuts, which is one of the major factors why Vancouver really lacks any major physical changes for at least 1 decade. So indeed, maybe it is better if I were to compare Toronto or Montreal with Taipei…

Well, I am not sure what may happen if our government continues to ignore British Columbia… maybe I am just being paranoid and pessimistic, but I really fear that Vancouver would not be able to host the 2010 Winter Olympics adequately…

When was the SkyTrain constructed? You say?

Maybe it is just for me again, but I seriously do think that the Skytrain fails too much. I understand that it is a mid-80’s design… NO IT ISN’T! From my 2 years of experience taking the SkyTrain to SFU, I notice that problems occur the most frequently between Columbia and up to Lougheed Town Centre, our magnificent “MILENNIUM” Line. Whereas Expo Line, the real mid-80~90 design fails the least often, or at least not between Columbia and King George.

The most common type of trouble for SkyTrain, from my experiences, seems to be caused by short circuits, with a frequency about every 3 months or so. As a result, part of the system is often subjected to numerous delays or suspension of service for hours. One time I even had to take a train that’s opposite from Surrey and switch to a bus to get into a expo line station.

What causes a newer system to fail more often than an older one? I am not an engineer so I don’t know. However, my friends have told me some rumours, saying that a mixture of technology might be its cause.

The SkyTrain was originally designed by Urban Transportation Development Corporation; a company that was later sold to Bombardier. According to him, there could have been a not-so successful technology transfer when the 2 merged. However, as an immigrant, I have no idea if it is true or not, but being a fan of mechanical works I have to say it is plausible. Far as I know, the MK-IIs are also produced by Bombardier, and needs to be put on a track that is not their original work. To me it is kind of similar to fitting Airbus avionics onto a Boeing aircraft…

But anyway, these are just some of our nonsense guesses. I hope TransLink could eventually improve and resolve these things, to make our rapid transportation system better.

Maybe I am asking for too much, but the Skytrain is…

Maybe it is just for me, but has anybody felt that the SkyTrain’s MK-I (the old ones) train sets have got poor ventilation and strange odor? Yes, I understand that these are probably antique stuff from the mid-80s, but really, in my opinion, they smell pretty bad. Opening the windows barely help, so I am starting to doubt that it is really, a minor design flaw in terms of ventilation and comfort. I am not able to tell the source of the smell, though I suspect that it is probably a mixture of the smell of the artificial-leather chairs and the train’s long exposure to all sorts of smell from different people. Don’t get me wrong here, I am not saying that the all passengers should watch for their smell before entering, but rather, the elimination of strange odor should be a part of maintenance too. I think that public transportation should not only provide rapid and convenient services, but also a comfortable trip.

I find that the newer MK-II is able to fulfill many of my wishes, despite the fact that it is done at the cost of having fewer seats. Since it is still impossible for all MK-Is to be deemed as obsolete now, I really hope that TransLink could try and improve the overall quality of the public transportation.

Why does it seem like me asking too much? Mainly because of 2 reasons:

1. A small survey that I did among my family members and friends showed that most people prefer MK-I because of the number of seats available; apparently the smell is not too big of a issue as long as there are places to sit. Also, some of them say that MK-I is faster (which seems logic, as it does seem to be a lightweight design) than MK-II.

Though I disagree with all of the above, the majority wins… :(

2. Would TransLink spend that extra money to appeal the minority? Apparently not! Currently, their budget is probably all focusing on construction of Canada Line and bus re-routing…

Snow?!

Even though I’m generally satisfied with the Translink system, there is one thing that has been bugging me: why does the whole system shut down whenever we get more than 5 cm of snow? This is not a problem exclusive for Translink, as it seem like the whole city shuts down when we get some snow. Coming from a country where snow is very usual, I find this quite amusing. But I have never seen this as a problem, it does, however, become a problem for SFU students when the busses stop running. There have been several occasions this year where students living off campus have been stuck at the top mountain, because the busses couldn’t get up there. For me, living in residence, I’ve at least had a place to go, but since the busses are the only way off the mountain, I’ve been stuck. Seeing as this is something that happens pretty much every year, I find it odd that Translink seems to be unprepared for it every time. Accordingly, every year when we get some snow, there are several accidents and almost accidents that easily could have been avoided. One possibility could be to equip the busses going up to SFU with snow tires. I realize that this would be expensive and that it therefore probably wouldn’t be done. However, getting chains for the busses can’t be impossible, and just by using a couple of chains most of the issue could be resolved. The busses would get a better grip and therefore be more likely to get up and down in a safe matter. Having seen busses sliding without control this winter, I believe it’s essential that Translink takes care of this issue before someone gets seriously hurt or killed.

Why aren't there any suits on the buss?

Have you ever been on a buss in Vancouver and looked around to see what kind of people you are surrounded by? The answer to this question has somewhat surprised me. Ever since I got to Vancouver I have noticed that 90% of those using the Translink system are either students or people of a lower social status. This might not be shocking to all you Vancouverites, but to me as an international student from Norway, it sure was. I am form a small town outside Norway’s capital, Oslo (about 45 minutes drive). In my hometown it is very common to take the bus to work, even though you make more than enough money to have your own car. There might be several reasons for this. Firstly, on the road going form my hometown to Oslo it’s always a lot of traffic in the morning. The bus, however, is allowed to drive in a special lane for busses and taxis. Therefore, it is often faster to take the bus in the morning then driving a car. Also, I know that a lot of people enjoy taking the bus because they can do stuff like reading the paper or preparing for a meeting, or simply just get some extra sleep. These are both reasons that can be related to Vancouver, and would be good reasons to take public transportation to work here as well. So why is it that rare using public transportation to work here? I think the main answer to this question is that it’s considered to be a sign of lower status. I can’t really understand why. But just think about it. How often do you see someone wearing a suit on the bus?

Props to Translink

By reading the posts on this blog and several articles in the school newspaper, the Peak, I have come to realize that Translink is the institution all SFU students love to hate. I do understand that in some situations the system has its flaws. But come on people! Yes, sometimes the buss drivers aren’t all that pleasant, and yes, sometimes the busses are full and they pass right by you, and yes, when it snows the whole system stops. Still, this system is so good that maybe we should let such minor things go. For example, have you looked at the extensiveness of the system? Just pull out that little map you got when you got your u-pass. There are numerous busses, a sky train system that works like clock work and there are even boats included. This extensiveness means that you can pretty much get where ever you want in the Lower Mainland by using the Translink system. Furthermore, the U-pass arrangement is an amazing deal for students. This little ticket allows all of us to travel wherever we want for a whole semester. It is extremely convenient and it only costs us $100 per semester. This is nothing compared to what it costs for people that aren’t students (e.g. a 28-day pass costs $255.00). So I would like all students to take some time before they criticize Translink for every single small flaw in the system. All in all we are all lucky that there is such a good public transportation system available to us.

"I do declare!"

Awareness of place, something critical in life and fiction both.

In a story, understanding where the events are occurring, at what time, when in relation to one another, and under what circumstances and conditions is important in fully understanding and appreciating that literary work.
In life, one has to be aware of the same, whether socially, physically, emotionally, or mentally. In fact, not noticing the physical place can potentially get you KILLED!

One such place? The clearly marked zones outside Lougheed Station where buses (such as the 97 B-Line) stop to drop off passengers outside the loop. Angry horn bleats, and on occasion waved fists and words, follow these moments of spatial unawareness by automobile drivers (stopping to drop off, pick up, or wait for a pedestrian), as two objects cannot (or at least shouldn't try to) occupy the same space at once.

Another such place? The yellow zones on Skytrain stations next to the tracks. Admittedly those areas are likely larger than necessary as an insurance measure for Translink, but far too many people stand within it, or worse stand there with small children. Some of those trains don’t slow down before the station, and are coming in ‘hot’, not to mention the legal/financial danger of stepping onto the tracks (so dangerous because of the legal prosecution threatened by signs, as well as the hefty fines for disrupting service).

Yet another such place? Roads. Buses are large, often fast moving, heavy, dense objects. People are none of the above (though certain individuals can be rather dense). When a strong force meets a weak object…. SPLAT/CRUNCH. Still, there are those who dash across major roads (therefore often transportation arteries along which drive buses) rather than taking a sidewalk, sometimes being less than cautious and just barely squeaking in front of a moving vehicle (I’ve seen some really close calls).

In a literary work, the worst that can happen is one loses out on the delight of reading a novel, or just a part of it.

In life, being unaware of place or time can be anywhere from inconvenient to fatal. So why do people continue to do it?

My only conclusion is that people are silly.

Satisfying Revenge

As we all know, there aren’t any line ups for buses or skytrains; it is basically a competition on who can shove their way through the doors first. As I was waiting for the bus the other day, an old woman literally shoved me away just to stand on the spot where the door usually is when the bus stops. When I was young, I was taught to respect elders, but boy was I mad this time. I gave her the “I want to smash your head against the wall” stare. Having no other choice, I just stood somewhere else away from the crazy woman. Surprisingly when the bus finally arrived, the door was right in front of me. In my head I was thinking, “Haha, I get to get on the bus before you do old hag!” As I was giving the old woman my victory stare, she ran and pushed me away again! I couldn’t believe it! On the way home I felt awful about letting her off the hook. Perhaps God felt my anger, because when the old woman was heading towards the doors to leave the bus as the bus was in motion, she fell face flat onto the ground as the bus driver slammed onto the breaks. I couldn’t help it but laughed out loud. People on the bus didn’t know what happened before so they looked at me as if I was a heartless jackass. At the moment I didn’t care about what anyone thought of me, all I know was that I felt good.

Reckless!

It is really amazing how buses don’t get into accidents everyday. I mean, they drive like maniacs! They swerve into the other lanes and run red lights constantly. If I drove like that I would be either dead or have killed someone already. I was definitely not surprised when a bus driver ran over a high school student a while ago. With their reckless driving skills, I’d expect them to kill at least two people a day. In addition to their reckless driving skills, their attitudes toward passengers are appalling. I’ve seen bus drivers who refuse to stop for passengers and ones that refuse to drive after being insulted for providing bad service. Suck it up you crybabies! It’s not like we’re being unreasonable; even if we were, bus drivers are paid to provide at least decent service to passengers. However, I have never seen a case where a bus driver is insulted for properly doing his or her job.

What I really hate the most is how bus drivers refuse to stop for more than five seconds at a bus stop for parents with children. Parents with children usually take more than five seconds to get to the door because bus drivers make it almost impossible for them to get there since they don’t know how to brake properly. Therefore, the parents have a choice of either risking their child’s safety by attempting to get to the door before the bus stops or to start walking towards the door after the bus stops, hoping the bus driver won’t to drive off.

Evanescent Encounter [Drifter]

Vertiphon - Bola. The bus arrives, finally. Boarding is a chore. And where to today, Johnny? To the drudgery of school? The monotony of mail service? Perhaps. All of them feasible options. But I know you care not, Johnny. For you the destination has already been decided. The path is not yours to walk. For the Drifter, place is moving, and place is fixed. Return to your seat. Return to the hermitage. The only home you will ever know. Return here and wait. And see.

Reprise. Another boarding, another departing. How many of them look as the same to you, Drifter? How many of their faces just like the ones before it? So complacent now in your huddled reverie at the back of this bus. They all appear as dark smudges against a backdrop of upholstery blue and metallic gray. What farce to let pass. The artist surely enraged. His masterpiece made nothing but a cacophony of colors. All screaming to be heard. Given life.

Pfane Pt1 - Bola. It is a sad sight, isn't it, Drifter? Seeing these people as blots on a landscape. How much more beautiful would this scene be in their absence? Without their odorously scented bodies and often crow-like squawkings. No longer a cacophony but a chorus of willful defacement. Each new face acting as the newest graffiti on this otherwise scene of serene. But wait, Johnny. Are you not among their kind as well? No? The Drifter, you say. Ah, what a humbled position to fill, I must say. Here, placed among them, yet so far removed from them. Always the observer, never the actor.

Atomontage - Gridlock. But wait, Drifter. Look! A face, no, a person even! Hair dyed amber, fingernails bright, clothing equal parts chain and fabric. A person unique. Follow with the eyes. Follow quietly. Not alluding to your presence. Allow her naivety. Allow yourself a glimpse at this painting's beauty. Watch the anomaly of her presence. And allow a grin at this defiance. Not allowing herself to be a simple smear, but a form, a texture, a veritable centerpiece! Watch in awe. And forget time.

Pfane Pt2 - Bola. Look now, Drifter. Another approaches, one so like the girl next to you. Watch this form, too. Watch them both. Then watch in horror and disgust as another pure figured is stained, smudged, and smeared once again. Features eroded by uniformity. Textures dulled in association. Left to find her place in the now so benign and banal backdrop of ambiance and function of the bus. Defiance murdered. Wondering. I know you are, Johnny. How this painting will look by time's end. How many pure figures will there be left? Or, just as here, will the individualality become a forgotten plane of existence?

Done Processing - Gridlock. Sigh, once again, and calm. Let the fear of erasure pass and return to your post. You are the drifter. Your presence already removed, your existence secured. Your destination void. Travel with this bus. Step in its walks. Let it carry you to wherever, and remain unaware. Sit and sleep. Watch at whim. Regard the renegades. Enjoy in the endlessness of your task, for it is sure to never end. Perhaps, one day, though, a creature shall come aboard. One of such startling presence and unchallenged uniqueness that they may even be said to be found. And in that state, perhaps, they may even speak to you. Free you from your contemplative seclusion. "Let the other lost sheep go, drifter. Look here, and see the saved."

Ewww

One of the many reasons why I really dislike taking the skytrain is because of the weird stench that diffuses throughout the skytrain from the heat vent. The stench resembles sweaty socks that have not been washed for at least three years. As bad as it may sound now, it gets worst. On a rainy day the stench would increase ten folds and reeks as bad as the sweaty socks put into a room full of rotten bananas and tomatoes. As if it isn’t bad enough, the smell would cling onto your clothes and follow you throughout the day.

After giving some thoughts into this problem, I realized that perhaps we, the users of public transits, are also responsible for the unpleasant smell on the skytrain. The skytrain is covered with old chewed up gums, coffee caps, and newspapers; all are leftovers from irresponsible passengers. Is it that hard to throw your garbage into garbage cans or recycling bins located on the skytrain platforms? I once saw a group of teenagers having a spitting contest on the skytrain. They were standing in a straight line competing on how far they can spit while other passengers were watching quietly; how stupid can people get? Then again, perhaps I’m expecting too much from people in general; if we are too lazy to save the world from serious problems like global warming, who would give a crap about the weird smell on the skytrain?

Transients

I’ve debated on how to approach this issue, or whether to deal with it at all on the blog. I’ve opted to face it head on, grab it by the horns, and put as little sugar coating on it as I can.

Though I feel sympathy and pity for them, homeless people make going downtown suck.

Now, I was relatively naïve and unexposed to downtown until last Spring semester when I had 2 courses at the Harbour Centre campus. Now, at first I was just in awe, looking up at the massive buildings, jaw agape, feeling like a damned tourist (hell a lady in a gastown store thought I was one). When I had change I would give some or all of it to those less fortunate people who asked. However, one persistent, underhanded, conniving cheat, lied straight to my face, twice, trying to convince me to give him money. I understand he is likely very hungry and desperate, but lieing to me, blatantly, straight to my damn face is a load of bull$@^*.

For quite a while this one man’s actions made me incredibly intolerant, not even willing to spare coin when I had it. But I softened recently and began to, especially when I felt they were deserving.

Giving alms to the less fortunate is considered a charitable and compassionate thing to do in almost every religion I can think of, but is validating lieing?

Regardless, it is not just as simple as that, it is a problem of volume. There are many, and I mean MANY people living downtown with no proper residence, hungry and out of work. Some cases it’s drugs, some it’s runaways, others are supposedly those who have been given one-way tickets here from other cities by their governments. The climate here is very temperate, rarely deadly cold or hot (compared to other cities), so it is understandable too that it is an ideal location. But now it is at the point of a MAJOR damn problem. There is no easy way to solve it (obviously, as then it would not be a problem would it?), but it is an issue that needs resolution.

How does any of this have to do with Translink? I can understand how that might be asked about now, and I can tell you. Some people have low hygiene, not all the time, but sometimes, some more than others. Homeless people can often smell of their environments, and when trapped in a tiny itsy bitsy community shuttle, it is nigh unbearable. Also, notice who goes ticketed by Transit police ~%50 of the time nowadays, people who appear to be of low financial circumstances.

I feel a swell of pity to see fellow human beings living like that, I know there are some who choose that life, but I can’t imagine it’s all of them. For me, I intend to show compassion when I may, cast my vote towards fixing the problem when I may, but maybe not wander around downtown so much.

Encounters on translink

As an international student, from Norway, I had my first encounter with translink about 18 months ago. What I found interesting about using its services was not the translink system itself, but the people I encountered while using it. I remember my first trip with the sky train and how shocked I was when a stranger came up and spoke to me. I know that this might sound strange to all you Canadians, but for me this was something new. In Norway you mind your own business when taking public transportation. I know this might sound cold, but that’s just how it is. I don’t think Norwegians necessarily are colder than Canadians, but we’re not good at that kind of small talk. So when this total stranger came up to me and asked me how I was doing, I was not expecting it at all. Therefore I just answered fine and kept on minding my own business. I have, however, realized that this is very common in Canada and started to enjoy these small and often meaningless conversations. One of the better conversations I have had was on the 135 bus going down Hastings. My Norwegian friend and I were going downtown. So we were sitting there talking amongst ourselves in Norwegian when an old lady sat down next to us. Suddenly she started talking to us in Norwegian. This was quite shocking to us as Norway is such a small country that you rarely meet anyone that knows the language. It turned out that this sweet old lady had Norwegian ancestries and had learned Norwegian form her parents. She started telling us stories form when she had visited Norway, talking in a combination of Norwegian and English. I found this experience extremely interesting and it made me become more open to enjoying such small talk. Given the vast amount of characters you can find using the translink system there are endless opportunities for interesting conversations.

Memory

Since as long as I could remember, Translink has been my main transportation method to and fro school. The experiences that I have accumulated throughout the years have given me motivation to purchase a car and bid farewell to the devil machines.

The most vivid memory that I have about Translink was in fact not long ago; it was a hot sunny day during the summer of the year 2006. I was planning to head home after a long day of school; however, things weren’t as simple as I thought it would be. As I reached the bus loop up on SFU campus, many students were already lining up for the 145 Production Bus. In this situation, it usually means the bus will arrive soon; however, after standing outside in the burning hot sun for half an hour, I realized this was not the case. As the bus finally arrived forty minutes late and started to head down the mountain, the stench of fifty sweaty university students clouded the bus. Sweat dripping, shoulders aching, things just can’t get anymore worst, or so I thought. About half way down the mountain, we were notified that the bus had broken down and that help will arrive in about half an hour. For “safety” reasons, the bus driver did not allow us to leave the bus for fresh air and re-enter the bus; as if we would be more safe suffocating in the bus. Our choice was to either walk down the mountain or to stay in the sizzling hot bus. As any sane person would do, I chose to hike down the mountain.

The journey seemed like forever, but when I finally reached the skytrain station, not to mention that fact that I was already all covered in sweat, I realized that I still had to take transits for another hour to get home. It was definitely one of the worst days I ever had thanks to the reliability of Translink.

Requiem for a Dream

Once, there was a world of dreamers. These people were born of dreamers; and their children would be dreamers; their children's children would be dreamers. Time passed fluidly, and so the cycle had continued for the longest of spans, enduring the ages of towns and cities and proceeding right through to the age of grand kingdoms.

Life was good, for not only were the people born of dreams but so, too, was their world born out of the same marriage of humanity and integrity. Businesses flourished; science, and the arts, too, where pursued without relent. Wherever these dreamers went civilization erupted from their footprints. Yes, life was indeed "good".

However, by themselves, isolated from each other's assuring and beauteous squalor, the many kingdoms soon became lonely. A deep longing filled the hearts of the dreamers, for they wished to know their brethren, to see their contented and wistful faces. Truly, what they wished for was unity. And with the heart of a dreamer it was easily attainable. Highways and byways, ferries and trains, sprung up everywhere, a convenient medium with which to link the world's peoples; although, for some not even this was enough. The age of the magnanimous metropolis was now upon them, and for some dreamers their once-so-small world had become far-too-large to know. The only solution was to build more: buses, and trains too, though not simply one or even ten. Hundreds of these Ambassadors of Public Transit were loosed upon the people.

And for a while...it was good.

For a time, it was good. For a time, the Ambassadors were great and glorious, and showed us such courtesy and servitude. Yes, they had performed their duties well. No one even thought to doubt the great men and women who lovingly watched over the Ambassadors from their opal Obelisk. Doubt was a luxury unfordable to the dreamers; that is, until it was thrust upon us with a feeling of necessity rather than luxury accompanying it.

The day that jewel bore its first crack, our hearts did not waver. We still had faith in those above us in that towering monolith, and we were steadfast in our belief in the Ambassadors; however, even they would come to betray us.

When the first Ambassador dirtied his robes we did not shun him, we did not spurn, we merely assumed, effortlessly, that he would cleanse himself and then continue on in his duties; but alas, our naivety had made us blind. The next day another crack formed in the opal Obelisk, and the next day yet another. Soon, all the Ambassadors had been fouled, their radiance erased; yet, still, no one had come. No one stepped forward to help them, to cleanse our once-beautiful Ambassadors, or restore their dignity. And as the days went by and more and more fissures etched themselves into the once-proud obelisk we all soon realized that it was not a masterpiece of opal, but a facsimile of glass. No dignity would return to that place, for there never was any to begin with. It was all a clever facade. Soon enough, doubt had come to us, and with it, the obelisk left us, crumbling under the weight of our scrutiny. Now it was all lost: our pride in the Ambassadors, our pride in the Obelisk, our pride in this Trans-link between our peoples.

I can no longer stand to face the Ambassadors, for they have become so hideous to me, defiled as they are. I pass by them and I pass through them, and no emotion escapes me. They deserve no expression of joy, nor of praise. The only action I can will myself to take is a hollow confession of gratitude as I use their services, no less, no more.

And it is not good.

I am evermore disgusted by such sights, so much so that I cannot even bear to see another display anything other than disdain. Sometimes, I will see travelers from afar, people who do not know the disappointment that I do. Enamored by the sight of the precious Ambassadors these travelers draw forth their cameras and take picture after picture commemorating their first encounter with the wondrous vehicles. Oftentimes I let it pass, but occasionally I have such an urge come over me, a violent urge to go and strike down their devices and cease their useless preservation of these images. Admittedly, I would not be justified, and so I do not engage the act. I just cannot bear to think that somewhere someone cherishes this which used to be our...dream.

I have a theory....

I have a theory.

Many people living in the Greater Vancouver area have noticed the strange phenomenon that is normally on found in small towns. Everywhere you go, you see someone you know. It doesn't matter where you live, or where your going, you spot someone you know. I've been downtown and seen an old high school classmate, I've been in White Rock and spotted someone from a class here at SFU.

Now what I propose to answer is WHY.

The answer, in a word, is Translink. Next time your on Skytrain, look at the convienent map of it's routes, and notice the massive area it covers. From deep in Surrey to Waterfront, and soon to Richmond Airport. Also look at these maps, notice the intricate weave that is the bus routes of the lower mainland. Translink covers so much area it is actually a little shocking.

This coverage is the answer. No matter where one is, or where one wishes to go, public transit is likely viable to get there. It is convienent, cheap, and covers a great area. Therefore one is not bound to the little community or town one lives in, but has access to almost everywhere in the Greater Vancouver area.

So in spite of the flaws (though some really are glaring and horrid) that Translink has, it is really a wonderful system of transportation for those with little income (aka:broke, cheap, or a student), or even those who aren't. (How many times have you rode home on transit tanked out of your skull eh?). Just as a last tangent, maybe, just maybe, our expansive public transit system might be vaguely linked by the smallest of strings to the high prices of real estate? *insert stroking of an imaginary beard here*
Cheers!

Stop sending short buses to Production Way during peak hours!

It really upsets me whenever I see a short bus coming into the Production Way Station bus loop during the peak hours (7:00AM~9:00AM). Not only does it not seat as many passenger as a long one, sometimes a short bus counts as a long one and no more would be arriving until another 3+ minutes time span has gone by, making the place more and more crowded. I really start doubting if Translink knows, or even cares, about the amount of angered students who wish to be punctual for their morning classes.

The Production Way Station bus loop is designed to have people line up in 3 lines to board a long bus. However, when a short bus arrives, people who are lining up for the rear door would not hesitate to cut into the centre, which "effectively" delays the digestion of the middle line. It is extremely unfair, because they line up early but do not get on the bus early. We cannot blame on any of these students, because we all want to get into class on time. Given that, the spearhead of the full blame should go to Translink itself. Why would they want to send short buses when they know that Production Way is the busiest line of all that goes to SFU? If they HAVE TO send short buses, is it so difficult to send more of them, or be a little more flexible on the departure time? Some drivers disregard the crowd and sticks only to their assigned departure time while the arrival of more SkyTrains only further extend the lines.

For this semester, I am almost never on time for my morning classes. That includes trying to arrive early by 15 minutes, but still fails to catch a bus earlier. What I find to be the most interesting thing is that it was not always like this in the pervious semester.

C24

In the past year, our transit authority has, with wisdom both infinite and unknowable, deigned to replace the buses on less trafficked routes with community shuttles (such as on the C24 route). While in principle this seems sound, I have discovered from riding one route, that these things are death traps.

Each community shuttle appears solid on the outside when standing still, but in motion the entire vehicle shakes and rattles. The walls are thin and (from what I can see) made primarily from one piece of too-thin-for-comfort plastic. Sound vibrates through its frame, amplifying and carrying into every passenger’s ears. The seats are comfortable enough, but when a person who is larger (in any area of the body, be shoulders or gut) than the planned ‘average’ is seated next to any other person, the ride becomes an exercise in serious discomfort. The walkway between the seats is exceedingly thin and awkward, even when clear of standees. The wheelchair device in the back is rarely if ever secured properly, and clatters about throughout the ride. When it is used for it’s intended purpose, the hydraulics are slow at best, slug-like at worst, taking up to 5 minutes to load a wheel chaired passenger aboard and get going once more. Worst of all is its schedule. The posted times are a joke, the shuttle (the C24 route at any rate) is anywhere from 1 to 15 minutes late, and as it only runs every 30 minutes, can cause incredible delays for the unfortunate patron of Translink who happens to live in a serviced area.

In short, these community shuttles DON’T WORK WELL ENOUGH. I understand that Translink merely wishes to save money by not devoting an entire bus (and a driver who has a class of license 1 higher than the shuttle drivers) to a route that is not heavily trafficked, but when these attempts to cut costs end up making almost every ride (or attempted ride, as one may almost never catch one) an experience to remember (poorly). For a solution, I offer: a) Revising the schedules and better ensuring their drivers make their stops ON TIME; b) Replacing the inadequate shuttles currently driving the route with something steadier and quieter for the rider; c) Returning those routes to regular buses. To quote one of my favourite high school teachers, this current system is “No workie”.

Will the real good samaritan please stand up!

So, who here loves the rain? Is there anyone? Come now, there must be some among you who can appreciate what others would call horrid weather. Well, I for one love a good downpour. It is those times when you can see human generosity hardest at work. Take, for example, the date of January 22nd, 2007. Ah, I remember it as if it were yesterday...

It was the evening's threshold and I had only begun my journey home. My bus was nowhere near arrival and already my jacket was soaked, but I didn't mind. Soon enough it had come and I had taken my seat--at the back of the bus, no less--in eager anticipation of the adventurous ride home which awaited me; however, as any fellow SFU student will attest, it is seldom an enjoyable experience riding the express in abysmal weathers. Even within the confines of the coveted rear section I found myself being invaded by countless other bodies, damp and groaning from the pains which the tempest had wrought on them. It was anything but pleasant. It was also anything but sterile, but I digress...

Upon our arrival to the Production Way Skytrain Station all was quiet at the platforms. So, not wishing to disturb our fellow classmates with useless pushing and prodding, we all disembarked in a most orderly and civilized fashion; that is, of course, after the initial pushing and prodding which occurred while everyone collectively vied to be first off the bus, and subsequently first to set foot on the empty platforms.

Goodness, what an honour that one young woman had, being the first to realize she'd have to wait for her train. Oh, and the further honor of being the first person to be mobbed by a horde of exiting Skytrain passengers.

"Crazy like a fox," indeed.

Now, it is at this point, once my comrades and I have been evolutionarily demoted to the rank of mere sardines, when I begin to see this "human generosity" at work. Normally, when 50 bodies are compressed into a space no larger than your typical can of ravioli, you would not expect many an empty seat, right? Well, if you answered yes, I would have to declare you overwhelmingly wrong. The reality was quite the opposite, actually.

It was amazing. Grown men and women, equally thrashed by the storm, refused to sit down. Empty seats everywhere and these brave, courteous, obstinate people refused to take one, surely for fear that one of their elders may board and find no place to rest. Many a "normal" person would condemn this act, arguing that countless more people could be allowed on board, or at least the de-sardineification of us all. Well, woe to you, cranky John and Jane Doe; woe to you, leg-weary traveller, for these people will never stop standing up for what they believe in. They will never allow the heady weight of "common sense" to bring them down, and God darn it, isn't that how it should be? Gaze, my friends. Look on in reverence as these people continue to defy logic day after day. It is these people which are making a brighter tomorrow for all of us, even if they have to stand during the rain to do it. Kudos to you, human generosity. If all this is wrong, then I don't want to be right.

Begin with the end...of the bus.

I am convinced that there is some sort of ward, some sort of aggressive barrier in place that prevents a good portion of the everyday masses from entering the furthermost area of the bus. This area is commonly known as "the back", and having such a humbled name, you would expect that more people would set down there, but the reality is quite the opposite. In fact, on average, I would say that the proportion of people situated at the front of the bus compared to the back is nearly three to one.

So what is the cause for this anomaly, you may ask? I have asked myself this very same question many a time, and have endeavored long to find an answer. What have I discovered?

Nothing.

I have found no logical or rational explanation for this phenomenon of human behaviour. There have been several hypotheses concocted by me and my crack team of scientists, which all seemed perfectly valid, but were each equally incapable of explaining everyone's behaviour. So, since logic seems to have abandoned the masses, I have opted for an illogical explanation for this matter.

Yes, that must be the case! There must be some sort of seal placed upon the rear seating area of each bus, regulating the comers and goers like the semi-permeable membrane of a human cell.

Only a chosen few may enter...

That must have been Translink's gambit: an elitist bus-section, a place where only the best of the best, the greatest of the greatest may go, genius! Who would have ever thought that by simply sitting at the rear of the bus, farthest from all the possible exits, you could elevate yourself to a level beyond that of any mere mortal, amazing! Translink, look what you've given us. Now there can finally be separation at last. The haves at last have a home, and what a home it is, with it's chrome-polished interior and heated seats, oh what joy! Kudos to you Translink. May this deed be remembered always!

Hey hey

Hey folks, the blog is now set up for our ENGL 101 assignment, and here is the schedule of required posts. Remember, you are responsible for your two other required posts:

Josh Jan 15-20
Zach Jan 21-27
Max Jan 28-Feb 3
Vincent Feb 4-10
Magnus Feb 11-17
Josh Feb 18-24
Zach Feb 25-Mar 3
Max Mar 4-10
Vincent Mar 11-17
Magnus Mar 18-24