The Olympic Line Streetcar
I was invited as part of a small group of bloggers to go and test-ride the Olympic Line Streetcar, which takes people from the Olympic Village Canada Line station to Granville Island (although, in my opinion, it’s kind of ridiculous that it doesn’t go all the way to, at the very least, Main Street/Science World Skytrain station – the tracks are there, so it’s not like it can’t go all the way).
I couldn’t make it to the launch, but on separate occasions, I’ve had the chance to ride it. First, with the delightful Emme Rogers as we were making our way to False Creek for one of our routine walks, and second, with my dearest friend JT, who really wanted us to do this very short trip (we did the Streetcar in the summer of 2009, so it was kind of a coming-back-to-our-roots kind of small trip). While I find the ride extremely pleasant, it’s really short. I really can’t see a good reason why we cannot extend the Streetcar to go all the way to, at the very least, Main Street/Science World Skytrain station. I also don’t really want to return it to Belgium, it’s such a cute tram!
Overall, I had a great time, and it’s fantastic that it’s free entertainment and transportation for Vancouver visitors and residents alike. It will be operating 18 hours a day, 7 days a week between January 21st and March 21st, 2010.
Related posts:
- On my Vancouver 2010 Olympic experience
- My Vancouver 2010 Olympic coverage
- Shutting down the 98 B-Line is a mistake
- On the decision to deny the relocation of the Odyssey to Denman Street and a win for NIMBY
- More on Google Transit and Vancouverisms
Hey Raul, Glad you liked, altough it goes right by my place I have not been on it. I live right in the middle so it is rather useless to me from a practical point of view. I wish it had a stop half way.
I really hope that the route gets extended Downtown and I would love to see it run up through Kits and on up the Arbutus corridor to Kerrisdale.
Sadly I think it can’t run on the existing tracks and all the tracks would have to be replaced (the ones in Southeast False Creek have been torn out, but there is a boulevard for them in the middle of 1st Ave). Maybe one day….
I think Matt is right – the grade of the tracks isn’t compatible with the train. I’m sure that could be fixed if the city were to get some of their own mind you.
I really need to go for a ride – maybe during the madness next week when I’m down that way for the Canada vs. Switzerland hockey game.
I’d be up for having them replaced (the tracks), seriously! it’s such a great transportation method!
I agree. I would love to see it all over the city again. Such a shame they tore them out.