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!