My Blog
TransLink finalizes plans to optimize bus service in late 2013 – Your voice heard!
March 2, 2013 at 9:02 pm | Blog | No comment
TransLink finalizes plans to optimize bus service in late 2013
VANCOUVER – After extensive public consultation, TransLink has finalized changes planned for more than 30 bus routes across the region, to make the best use of existing transit resources.
“With the public’s help, we’re changing some bus service to better match travel demand, and make our system more efficient while meeting the needs of our communities,” says Doug Kelsey, Chief Operating Officer at TransLink. “It’s all part of TransLink’s commitment to optimize the services we provide, and do even more with what we have.”
The changes, which are slated for implementation in late 2013 to early 2014, are part of TransLink’s ongoing program of service optimization. The program aims to move service to where it is needed most and make the best use of limited funds. Details of all changes and feedback can be found in the consultation summary available now at translink.ca/serviceop.
For 2013, staff proposed changes to 34 routes. The public weighed in through 11 open houses and an online questionnaire in November and December 2012. More than 800 comments were gathered on all aspects of the proposals.
Based on feedback from the public, several proposals were revised, including:
· C1/C2 – an alternate proposal was developed in consultation with community groups in Burnaby Heights, retaining the current route and reducing frequencies during off-peak periods only.
· 211 – with a range of feedback raised over the proposed removal of the Fairway Drive loop, TransLink has chosen to retain the existing route instead.
· C48 & C49 – a revised proposal was created to ensure service coverage in Thornhill, Ruskin and Whonnock is maintained, leaving the C49 unchanged and improving the usefulness of the C48 with a connection to West Coast Express and extension via McClure Drive in Albion.
In recent years, TransLink’s service optimization program has returned successful results: in 2011, the program helped TransLink provide 14 million new rides without added investment in service, increasing bus productivity by 3.1 per cent and generating a 5.5 per cent increase in transit revenue.
Council votes Feb. 26th regarding giving up school site for development – see my comments here!
February 27, 2013 at 12:11 am | Blog | No comment
These were my points tonight regarding sending the school site property application in Silver Valley forward for first reading and why discussion with SD42 needs to be done first, prior to this decision. Please feel free to use my points as quotes or I am available by telephone at 778-861-9477.
- School District Chair Mike Murray said at a Committee of the Whole meeting that “no policy changes have been made from the Province perspective on school sizes or any of that sort of thing.” The point of the results of the study is there is no longer a need for four school sites.
- It IS stated in our Official Community Plan that the desire from the community is to have smaller (200 students) sized schools.
- I have great concern approving first reading then getting Public opinion as I haven’t in my time on Council seen an application that was given 1st reading not go forward for approval.
- Council, due to the application before us tonight, put pressure on the School District to make a decision on this property and since there is no longer a need for four sites largely due to declining enrolment predictions and the fact that in reality Albion will get a school before Silver Valley, we could be potentially looking at another 15 years before Silver Valley sees a school in their neighbourhood.
- In evaluating Maple Ridge’s development trends, it is my conclusion that in order to expedite school funding from the Province it’s necessary to revisit our Area Planning Assessment Policy with staff; changing enrolment is one of the reasons to do so and as well we could take a look at our infill policies and see what we can do to encourage development along the major corridors where enrolment is not at capacity . If we continue to only densify Albion and Silver Valley without balancing out development and filling the schools we have, ultimately the Province won’t be awarding Maple Ridge with funding for schools at all. Until all our schools are at capacity we will continue to have this issue and then shared with concerns of some my fellow Councillors, we could potentially lose all our school sites. This concern will then become a reality. Then what?
- I would like to ask Council to collectively embrace working alongside SD42 and the public and decide if the Blaney Hamlet site is the best decision to let go from an overall community perspective prior to making this decision.
- I have reviewed all the footage from past Committee of the Whole and Council meetings and three of our incumbents have made reference to this site being the best site out of all the others from a developable, geographical and community perspective and tonight we are potentially passing it up without having a discussion of the bigger picture and what it means.
- It was said by staff that there really wasn’t much communication between the District and the company conducting the study for SD42 and it is my view that we should defer this application and together be a part of the facilities study.
- Chair Murray confirmed at the Committee of the Whole meeting both District staff and Council can be a part of the study, we can cover all perspectives, have the public consultation piece of the picture, and together as a community make the best decision. This would also then allow the opportunity for the public to have input on if they would like us to spend approx 4 million of their tax dollars on one piece of land and also prevent the developer from investing further if first reading was approved and then the study ended up showing different results a year from now as he would be completely out of pocket.
- With the amount of public involvement we have seen since this was brought up after Christmas and the dedication shown by the neighborhood, to me it still feels like there are too many unanswered questions and many concepts to be looked into and more discussion to be had. Therefore, based on everything I have said, I support deferral, let’s ask the questions and make a fully informed decision!
After over an hour of debate Council unanimously voted in favor of having further consultation with SD42 prior to approving 1st reading of the development application!
Hit and run – Road maintenance worker and truck – RCMP need our help!
February 7, 2013 at 3:39 pm | Blog | No comment
File# 2013-2707
Police Look For Hit and Run Driver and Car
Maple Ridge, B.C. – Ridge Meadows RCMP are asking for the public’s help in locating a silver Nissan Altima that struck and injured a roads maintenance worker. The incident occurred just before 1:30 a.m. Wednesday February 6, 2013. The worker was with a fellow employee in the 24100 block of Lougheed Highway when they observed a car traveling at a high rate of speed. The workers ran towards the middle of the four lane highway to avoid the vehicle, but the car also altered its course towards the middle of the road. The car struck the work truck, and then one of the workers before it stopped for a brief moment. The car then sped off on the highway towards Mission.
Sergeant Dale Somerville said, “The potential for this incident to be worse was certainly there. The employee received injuries to his back and leg, but these are not life threatening. The passenger side mirror was torn off when it came into contact with our victim, and police have that mirror. Through that we have identified this vehicle as a 2006 to 2012 Nissan Altima. We do not have a licence plate number to follow up on.
We’re asking the public for help on this one. If you have any information regarding a silver Nissan Altima that is missing its passenger side mirror, you are asked to call Ridge Meadows RCMP at 604-463-6251, or CRIMESTOPPERS.”
The investigation is continuing. If you wish to remain anonymous call CRIME STOPPERS at 1 800 222-8477 or leave a TIP online at www.solvecrime.ca. Crime Stoppers will pay a reward of up to $2000.00 if your information leads to an arrest and conviction.
This release was authorized by Sergeant Dale Somerville.
Happy New Year Everyone!
January 1, 2013 at 3:03 pm | Blog | 2 comments
Hello!
I’d like to take an opportunity to wish everyone a Happy New Year and a really fantastic 2013!
Thank you so very much for your support over the year. I’ve really enjoyed the thoughtful, constructive feedback I’ve received this year, as it enables me to do what I do to the best of my ability by allowing me to understand what you’re thinking, needing and wanting for our community and our beautiful world overall.
Thank you and Cheers!
Corisa Bell
Vancouver to receive new SeaBus.
December 18, 2012 at 4:58 pm | Blog | No comment
Email: media@translink.ca
A new efficient SeaBus to be built to keep service reliable
VANCOUVER – A new SeaBus will be built to replace the existing MV Burrard Beaver and continue to reliably serve customers connecting between the city of Vancouver and the region’s North Shore communities.
MV Burrard Beaver, which was built in 1976 and has reached the end of its useful life, is safe for service but no longer complies with all of Transport Canada’s current certification standards. This replacement ferry is a requirement to meet these standards.
“SeaBus service is an important component of the region’s integrated transportation system. Building a new SeaBus has been part of our plan since 2009 and will ensure continued quality transit service for people on the North Shore,” says Doug Kelsey, TransLink Chief Operating Officer. “While today’s assets are safe, the replacement ferry will meet contemporary standards, run more efficiently and help keep the air clean.”
Following a rigorous bid process, Damen Shipyards Group of The Netherlands will build the new vessel. Three bids were received through the competitive bid process and evaluated on several criteria including shipyard experience, cost and quality of construction. Damen brings 85 years of experience, building roughly 150 vessels a year that are in service around the world.
This is the second replacement SeaBus. The first replacement SeaBus, MV Burrard Pacific Breeze, came into service in 2010. The new replacement will be similar to MV Burrard Pacific Breeze and include some design updates to improve efficiency, operations, and help protect the environment. The new SeaBus will reduce TransLink’s environmental footprint as it will use less fuel and produce 20 per cent less carbon dioxide (CO2) than older vessels. The new vessel will surpasses marine standards to help improve air quality including: 90 per cent less carbon monoxide (CO), 70 per cent less hydro carbons and visible smoke, and 25 per cent less particulate matter.
The $25 million project was first identified in TransLink’s Funding Stabilization Plan that was approved in 2009 and reconfirmed in the 2013 Base Plan.
SeaBus service carries six million passengers a year. The second replacement SeaBus is expected to be in service by Fall 2014. MV Burrard Otter will then be retired from active service and MV Burrard Beaver will be used as a spare vessel.
Maple Ride 2013 Budget Discussion – Live Feedback!
December 9, 2012 at 12:14 pm | Blog | No comment
Hello Everyone!
I wanted to share with you everything you need to know for this weeks budget discussions. Even if you don’t reside or own a business in Maple Ridge, following the process and seeing how this works should be very interesting/educational.
Click on the link and you can find out how you can participate and how your questions will be heard and provided responses!! Thank you to Fred Armstrong, the district’s Communications Manager for setting this up!
I really hope there is a great response regarding feedback so the public can show that YES people do want to be informed and YES we care! Please share this email with anyone and everyone!
Let me know if you have any questions!
Corisa,
New indoor Cycle studio looking for spin instructors to join team!
November 15, 2012 at 11:41 am | Blog | No comment
FRESH Indoor Cycling -
If you are interested please connect with them through any of the avenues below.
They are also holding introduction interviews at the Maple Ridge library on Thursday and Friday this week – details on how to attend are on the Facebook page.
FRESH Indoor Cycling - http://www.freshcycling.com
Direct Email: anewfuture@freshcycling.com.
Surviving a busy time on transit – 5 handy hints for surviving the Post-Labour-Day Crunch
September 3, 2012 at 1:39 pm | Blog | No comment
Surviving a busy time on transit
5 handy hints for surviving the Post-Labour-Day Crunch
The day after Labour Day marks the start of the busiest time of the year for public transportation. With more workers back from summer holidays and students all going at the same time until schedules are set and their travel patterns are spread out, the Post Labour Day Crunch can be an added but unavoidable stress.
If it seems the transit system is more crowded than in past years, you’re probably right. Even though TransLink could not increase service hours, the system still moved 5.5 per cent more riders in 2011 over 2010 and the trend is continuing this year. So a few handy hints should make the ‘PLDC’ a bit more survivable.
1. Have your ticket ready for inspection – Fare evasion is just as illegal as it’s ever been, but as of September 4, TransLink has greater powers to go after people who try to cadge a free ride. Transit Police and Transit Security both have ticket-writing authority and the fines escalate:
a. Initial fine: $173.00
b. If unpaid after 180 days: $213.00
c. If unpaid after 1 year: $273.00
d. ICBC may also refuse to renew your car insurance or driver’s license
e. Unpaid fines may be referred to a collection agency
Save yourself a lot of money and hassle: pay your fare like the vast majority of our customers. For more information on the new procedures, please visit:http://www.translink.ca/en/Fares-and-Passes/Fare-Evasion-Tickets.aspx
2. Adjust your personal commute – Can you change your starting time? By travelling outside the “traditional” rush hours – generally 7:30-8:30am and 4:30-6pm, you can avoid the peak-of-the-peak travel times. That’s particularly true on West Coast Express, where ridership tends to drop considerably in the summer, only to surge again in the fall. Keep in mind that trains, station parking lots and lineups for ticket vending machines will all be more crowded.
3. Mind your manners – There’s no avoiding it: your trip will be more crowded in the first few weeks of September, but crowded conditions can be a lot easier to take if we all observe proper etiquette:
a. Remember who gets the good seats – seats nearest the entrance doors should be left for seniors and persons with disabilities.
b. Step back from the doors – when boarding, let passengers get off first; on the buses, move right to the back until you get close to your stop.
Find more tips on etiquette on transit at: http://www.translink.ca/en/Rider-Info/Etiquette-on-Transit.aspx
4. Park and Rides – More and more people are choosing transit and using a park and ride to make the connection – and that’s good. But once a park and ride is full, it’s full. Illegally parked vehicles at South Surrey Park and Ride will be towed; West Coast Express customers should remember that lots at those stations fill up quickly, too. Try to get there early, or get together with some neighbours and carpool to the park-and-ride.
5. Get social! – get connected through TransLink’s award-winning social media channels, like Facebook and Twitter (@translink), as well as our mobile real-time transit information website, http://m.translink.ca. You can also find out when the next bus leaves a given stop in real time (text the 5-digit bus stop number to 33333).
More information can be found at 604-953-3333 or online at www.translink.ca.
Job Postings via Jobs for Everyone on FB
August 13, 2012 at 1:12 pm | Blog | No comment
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Link to Monday meetings and Tuesday Public Hearing items!
July 15, 2012 at 5:51 pm | Blog | No comment
Here is the link to the agenda and reports for Monday’s meetings. Through the same link is Tuesday’s Public Hearing items. This is the biggest package for PH’s I have had thus far, you may like to take a look!
http://www.mapleridge.ca/EN/main/municipal/council/council_meetings.html
