Recently I returned from vacation having spent some time in the Netherlands. Travelling around cities such as Amsterdam, Den Haag and Utrecht I couldn’t help but be amazed how simple it was to navigate by tram and bus. Whether I was armed with a Dutch language transit map or my own curiosity for adventure (meaning I was unprepared); I was able to use their transit system getting from any given point to where I wanted to be with ease.
During the 9 hour flight home I had plenty of time to imagine a transit system in Vancouver much like what was just experienced in the Netherlands, one that promoted shorter commute times and moved the masses around almost anywhere.
I don’t mean to imply our current system is lacking (yes I do), I simply think a better job could have been done over the years. First and foremost we need to plan for the future; not what always seems like for the present. With that in mind, an endless bag of tax money and the “construction/demolition” tools found in the game Sim City, here is my go at a few new transit routes (excluding bus routes that feed this system and expansion into the suburbs; not to mention plenty of other details):
Route 1
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Re-open the Arbutus Corridor extending a tram line from the Fraser River to Granville Island. I realize our city’s “crème de la crème” may be upset with this but we all need to sacrifice a little to help the city prosper. At West 2nd Ave. near Fir St. we bend the tracks east and connect with the route formally used for the Olympic Line. At Cambie St. extend the line east along West 1st Ave. passing by the Olympic Village. This route would then cut north east at Ontario St. heading directly towards Industrial Ave. Crossing Main St., the line continues along Industrial Ave. finally coming to a rest at the VCC/Clark Millennium Line Station.
Route 2
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Beginning at a suitable location along South Granville St. a tram line runs across the Granville Street Bridge, through Granville Mall where it makes a sharp left at Robson St. which, in turn, becomes a one-way street. Connecting along Lagoon Dr. and then along Stanley Park Dr. the tram line finally comes to an end in the parking lot just south of Third Beach.
Route 3
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Seeing that I’m working with an endless supply of money and the needs of our people, why not run a tram from that \"suitable location\" along South Granville towards West 12th Ave., cut underground on a casual bend re-emerging west bound along 12th Ave. extending straight to UBC.
These ideas may seem farfetched; yet there may be some value in them. As a city we should be looking at the land we have available to us now (when it is affordable) and build a transit system that not only benefits population growth at the present, but well into the future. If Vancouver is to achieve further densification and affordable housing it will be achieved through initiatives that include better transit systems which move the city’s population to and from multiple points with little reliance on personal transportation.
Michael Connolly
