SUPPORTS ITEM NO. 1
T&T COMMITTEE AGENDA
JUNE 3, 1997
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date:14 May 1997
Dept. File No. 4252-10
CC File No.: 8205/5554-1
TO: Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic
FROM: General Manager of Engineering Services
SUBJECT: North Shore False Creek Bus Routes
RECOMMENDATION
A. THAT the North Shore False Creek bus routes and bus stops
illustrated in Appendices A, B and C be approved.
B. THAT bus stop improvements including shelters, litter
receptacles, and landing area changes be introduced where
required.
C. THAT the $6,300 required to pay for new litter receptacles at
the new stops be obtained from Contingency Reserve.
D. THAT the Sanitation Operating Budget be increased by $13,500
annually for the emptying of the litter receptacles.
COUNCIL POLICY
- Council has established public transit as a high priority.
- Council supports measures to increase transit use as a means
of reducing the impacts of general vehicular traffic growth
and improving regional air quality, as per the Transport 2021
initiatives and Draft Transportation Plan.
- Council approves transit routes and bus stops locations on
City streets.
PURPOSE
BC Transit will be implementing new transit services for False Creek
North on June 30, 1997. This report recommends approval of the proposed
routes and stops.
BACKGROUND
On April 8, 1997 Council approved:
A. THAT the new bus service for False Creek North/Yaletown and
the improvements to the #1 Beach Avenue route be approved.
B. THAT the specific route proposals [illustrated in Appendices A
to C and modified as noted below] be referred to a further
public meeting of BC Transit (to include the attendees at the
February workshop), with a report back by staff on the
outcome.
C. THAT BC Transit be requested to provide at least a 12 minute
service frequency for the daytime Monday to Saturday False
Creek North route.
D. THAT BC Transit be requested to review the proposed evening,
Sunday, and holiday route for False Creek North and Beach
Avenue over the next year, to determine whether a more
frequent or less circuitous service should be provided.
E. THAT staff report back on route details, bus stop locations
and, as necessary, modifications to roadways, traffic
management measures, bus stop amenities (including shelters
and waste receptacles) and other details of the route
implementation, including funding requirements, following the
public meeting.
PUBLIC WORKSHOP
On April 21, 1997 BC Transit hosted a public workshop at the Vancouver
Public Library regarding proposed new downtown transit services.
Residents comments regarding the proposed North Shore False Creek
routes were generally favourable. However, there was concern that the
proposed 15 minute (daytime) and 20 minute (evening/Sunday/holiday)
frequencies were inadequate given the density of development in this
sector and since downtown transit trips are in competition with walking
trips. BC Transit indicated service levels will be monitored and
adjusted as residential density and ridership levels increase.
BUS STOPS
The bus stops in Appendices A to C were developed in consultation with
BC Transit in order to provide convenient walking distances to the new
services. The terminus for the #22 False Creek service will be on
northbound Hornby Street at Drake Street. Seaboard Advertising has been
approached to provide bus shelters. Landing areas will be improved
where appropriate. It is recommended that $6,300 to pay for litter
receptacles at the new stops be funded out of Contingency Reserve, and
that the Sanitation Operating Budget be increased by $13,500 annually
for emptying and maintaining the receptacles.
ROADWAY MODIFICATIONS
Minor traffic management or intersection geometry adjustments are
required at the intersections of Nelson Street with Beatty Street and
Pacific Boulevard South in order to permit bus turning movements. The
changes have been designed to avoid affecting the special pedestrian
environment in the area. It is planned to adjust the centre line of
Nelson Street at Pacific Boulevard South so that left-turning buses can
miss the existing pedestrian bulge on Nelson Street. A minor
modification to the traffic island at Nelson Street and Beatty Street
will provide an adequate turning path for buses.
PROPOSED ROUTE CHANGE
There has been a modification to the evening/Sunday/holiday route
considered by Council on April 8, 1997. As illustrated in Appendix C,
the route will extend east on Pender Street to Columbia Street (instead
of Abbott Street) and provide a connection to Chinatown and Gastown.
CONCLUSION
The new North Shore False Creek transit services will improve mobility
for existing residents and attract more transit-oriented residents into
this sector. Staff will liaise with BC Transit regarding monitoring and
adjusting service levels as population and transit needs grow.
In the longer term, transit service will have to be enhanced east of BC
Place Stadium as development continues in this area. This could happen
as early as the next three to five years. Staff will be meeting with BC
Transit in order to develop route options to serve this area as well as
potentially integrate the routes shown in the appendices.
COMMENTS OF THE MAJOR PROJECTS STEERING COMMITTEE
The Committee suggests that direct service to the Enterprise Centre and
G.M. Place, and the emerging International Village development, will
necessitate relocating or adding service for the area east of the Cambie
Bridge. There are some who believe this service should be developed
now, noting these are major public attractions.
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