Urban Vancouver

I want to want to like public services

By samanthaorwell on March 19, 2008 - 2:51pm

Read full post here:
http://thevancouvermanifesto.blogspot.com/2008/03/i-want-to-want-to-like...

Today the bus driver almost made me cry.

I love the 3-door entrance on the B-Line but today, as I was running towards the back door my arm was the only thing that was going to fit so I quickly gave up my chances of getting in the front and ran to the front entrance as the bus doors were about to close. I stood there and waved and the driver opened the door.

As I got on I flashed my bus pass and the driver said to me in a snooty voice, “what was wrong with the other bus?” (I guess I should mention now that two B-line busses came at the same time and half the crowd opted to run up to the 1st one to spread out, as did I- I just didn’t run as fast in my heels). Anyhow, I tried to reply and say that the backdoor just closed on me and etc, not that there was anything wrong with that 2nd bus but naturally, when 2 buses come at the same time people try to spread out so they don’t’ have to be packed on one bus. I started to explain myself and then he CUT ME OFF and said, “pshh, yeah..whatever..”
I seriously felt angry, upset and embarrassed all at once. And the rest of the morning I was in a rotten mood. And I even woke up in a good mood.

A few things to draw out of my anecdote:

Finish reading post here:

Ode to a Vancouver Trolley Bus

By samanthaorwell on February 4, 2008 - 4:16pm

Ode to a Vancouver trolley bus,
With your seats so blue.
You once were so orange,
So strong, and so true.

I rode you down Oak street,
Down Cambie and Main.
I rode you up main corridors,
Finding your stops? Never a pain.

You’ve changed over the years,
But I will always love thee.
From high seats to low seats,
Your views still impress me.

My favourite bus,
Is almost long gone.
It remains on a single line
The #4, orange like dawn.

But alas, the orange trolley allowed
Little access for most.
Replaced, indeed it was.
Dual tiered it did boast.

The next model to come,
Had blue and soft seats.
But it was the pleathery smell,
That lessened its feats.

Newer even still,
Is the plush simple design,
With lean solid frames,
A new favourite of mine.

For although people complain,
Of the fewer number of seats.
If one were to count,
You would see that these busses still meet

Almost the same amount of people,
Of course less by two,
Than the beloved old orange
With the advantage of new

Wheelchair accessible,
Even strollers too!
They bend and they bow,
And create opportunity in lieu.

But the creeping change,
Of the transit system is failing.
The construction has left me,
Questioning and bailing.

For many changed routes,
And the new “Montreal-style” busses
Are leaving me wary,
And confused through my cusses.

Transit Camp - Sat Dec. 8th at Workspace

By uncleweed on December 5, 2007 - 11:39am

Still time to Sign up for Vancouver Transit Camp

You may have noticed Vancouver Transit Camp in the Urban Vancouver event listings and wondering, "Huh? What is this?"

Well, here's what the event wiki says:

Announcing Vancouver TransitCamp

By uncleweed on November 28, 2007 - 3:30pm

Start: Dec 8 2007 - 9:00am
End: Dec 8 2007 - 5:00pm

Vancouver Transit Camp 07 is an inaugural event and we envision a full-day event for Metro Vancouver to bring people using, loving and geeking over transit (maybe together with staff from TransLink), to work together on how we can make it better, easier and more enjoyable for everyone. Transit Camp is inspired by BarCamp, which is powered by participation and focused on a positive, respectful atmosphere. We will hold simultaneous small-group sessions on a self-organized basis around topics of interest to the community, as well as celebrations of transit through user-generated media and articles (music, buttons, t-shirts), photography, illustration and music inspired by transit in Vancouver.

Sign up at the Vancouver Transit Camp website, or send an email to vancouvertransitcamp@gmail.com letting us know you'd like to come!

The event will be well-documented in the form of blog posts, wiki content, photos, and video for everyone who is unable to attend. Even if that's you, tell a friend and see if they can come!

Vancouver Transit Camp

By uncleweed on November 28, 2007 - 3:26pm

Announcing Vancouver TransitCamp (2007)!

We envision a full-day event for Metro Vancouver to bring people using, loving and geeking over transit together with staff from TransLink, to work together on how we can make it better, easier and more enjoyable for everyone. Transit Camp is inspired by BarCamp, which is powered by participation and focused on a positive, respectful atmosphere. We will hold simultaneous small-group sessions on a self-organized basis around topics of interest to the community, as well as celebrations of transit through user-generated media and articles (music, buttons, t-shirts), photography, illustration and music inspired by transit in Vancouver.

Sign up at the Vancouver Transit Camp website, or send an email to vancouvertransitcamp@gmail.com letting us know you'd like to come!

The event will be well-documented in the form of blog posts, wiki content, photos, and video for everyone who is unable to attend. Even if that's you, tell a friend and see if they can come!

Transportation: On the right track for EcoDensity

By Richard Eriksson on May 24, 2007 - 11:10am

From the event listing at Vancouver EcoDensity:

Join us for a panel discussion with Dr. Larry Frank, architect Peter Busby and transportation engineer Lon LaClaire. Dr. Frank, the Bombardier Chair holder in Sustainable Transportation at UBC’s School of Community and Regional Planning, will deliver the keynote speech. Dr. Frank specializes in the interaction between land use, travel behaviour, air quality and health. Mr. Busby will provide commentary on the relationship between parking and the development and financing of higher density housing. Mr. LaClaire’s comments will focus on the relationship between density and transit.

Free event. Reservations required: 604.873.7707 or ecodensity@vancouver.ca