We will be hosting a garage sale on Saturday August 6th from 8:30 am to 1 pm. We are at 3103 Harriet Road.
I will be posting pictures at this link of some of the stuff we have for sale - stay tuned.
Friday, July 29, 2011
People running for council in the CRD
In 2008 there were a lot more names out there of people campaigning for election to local government by the time of the BC Day Weekend. This time around it is much quieter.
Do you know of anyone that is planning on running that I have no heard about? Who I know of is on this page.
My goal is to not only have all the names of the candidates but also to have links to websites and contact details for as many as possible.
Do you know of anyone that is planning on running that I have no heard about? Who I know of is on this page.
My goal is to not only have all the names of the candidates but also to have links to websites and contact details for as many as possible.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
The other 8 local governments in the core of the CRD
Between Sooke and Sidney there are eight local governments that few people give much thought to when it comes to regional development issues. These eight are the First Nations.
First Nations are not under any form of CRD bylaws and are not governed by provincial laws either. These lands are managed by Indian and Northern Affairs for the use and benefit of First Nations. There is a perverse and paternalistic dance between the Feds and First Nations on lands.
The issue has become one that people are talking about because the Tsartlip First Nation is offering the Peninsula Coop some land to develop given the Coop's difficulty in getting there proposal for a grocery store through the local governments.
How much land in the core of the CRD is under the control of First Nations? 1329.6 hectares.
That is on the same scale as the five smallest muncipalities in the CRD.
On the Peninsula
Many of the reserves in the CRD have not been developed much at all, there are some reserves that are in a defacto wilderness state. This land could all be developed without any input from the CRD.
People need to be aware that none of the 13 municipalities or the CRD have ever done their planning with participation or consent of the First Nations. The reserves are outside of the regional growth strategy - which was created without any consultation with First Nations. The lack of consultation with the First Nations makes the legal basis of the RGS dubious because it infringes on the Treaty and Aboriginal Rights of local First Nations.
As more development happens on reserves, there will be more and more people that are angry and demand that they have a say over First Nation lands. That will not happen and should not happen. First Nation lands are not part of BC and residents of BC have no business interfering with them. First Nation is not an affection - they are legally recognized as a form of a nation though not as one that is independent. The term used in the US is "domestically dependent state".
I am personally supportive of First Nations right to make use of their land however they wish. I have worked on several different First Nation land management codes and I understand how on reserve lands are governed. Even though they are micro managed by the Feds, First Nations have a set of rights for private property holders that would make most property rights people drool.
Finally, one interesting quirk of the world, until a First Nation passes a property tax bylaw, local governments collect property taxes on reserve from non-aboriginal owners of interest in lands. At this time, only two of the eight First Nations have property tax powers. Tsartlip is not one of them meaning Central Saanich would still collect property taxes from the Coop development.
First Nations are not under any form of CRD bylaws and are not governed by provincial laws either. These lands are managed by Indian and Northern Affairs for the use and benefit of First Nations. There is a perverse and paternalistic dance between the Feds and First Nations on lands.
The issue has become one that people are talking about because the Tsartlip First Nation is offering the Peninsula Coop some land to develop given the Coop's difficulty in getting there proposal for a grocery store through the local governments.
How much land in the core of the CRD is under the control of First Nations? 1329.6 hectares.
That is on the same scale as the five smallest muncipalities in the CRD.
- Sidney - 504 ha
- Esquimalt - 704 ha
- Oak Bay - 1038 ha
- View Royal - 1448 ha
- Colwood - 1776 ha
On the Peninsula
- Tseycum - 28 hectares on the peninsula
- Pauquachin - 321.5 hectares
- Tsartlip - 206 hectares
- Tsawout - 237.7 hectares on the peninsula
- Goldtream 13 is shared by 5 first nations and is 4.8 hectares
- Esquimalt - 18.9 hectares
- Songhees - 137.8 hectares
- Scai'new - 307.7 hectares
- T'souke - 67.2 hectares
Many of the reserves in the CRD have not been developed much at all, there are some reserves that are in a defacto wilderness state. This land could all be developed without any input from the CRD.
People need to be aware that none of the 13 municipalities or the CRD have ever done their planning with participation or consent of the First Nations. The reserves are outside of the regional growth strategy - which was created without any consultation with First Nations. The lack of consultation with the First Nations makes the legal basis of the RGS dubious because it infringes on the Treaty and Aboriginal Rights of local First Nations.
As more development happens on reserves, there will be more and more people that are angry and demand that they have a say over First Nation lands. That will not happen and should not happen. First Nation lands are not part of BC and residents of BC have no business interfering with them. First Nation is not an affection - they are legally recognized as a form of a nation though not as one that is independent. The term used in the US is "domestically dependent state".
I am personally supportive of First Nations right to make use of their land however they wish. I have worked on several different First Nation land management codes and I understand how on reserve lands are governed. Even though they are micro managed by the Feds, First Nations have a set of rights for private property holders that would make most property rights people drool.
Finally, one interesting quirk of the world, until a First Nation passes a property tax bylaw, local governments collect property taxes on reserve from non-aboriginal owners of interest in lands. At this time, only two of the eight First Nations have property tax powers. Tsartlip is not one of them meaning Central Saanich would still collect property taxes from the Coop development.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
LRT - still no answers
I had a list of 20 questions about the LRT plan that I posted here about eight weeks ago, I have yet to get any answers from anyone for any of the questions.
The proposal to spend around $1 billion on a very flawed idea seems utterly insane to me. Worst of all, there is no ongoing debate about major aspects of the proposal. There are some voices speaking out pointing to the problems, but no one seems willing to defend the LRT proposal.
In general, the LRT proposal is badly thought and without any data to show the reason why it is a good solution. All I can assume is that the supporters of the LRT have no data to show their idea makes any sense and are keeping quiet in hopes of getting the project to go ahead no matter what the public thinks.
If my concerns and issues were addressed, I would be a most enthusiastic supporter of the LRT.
The proposal to spend around $1 billion on a very flawed idea seems utterly insane to me. Worst of all, there is no ongoing debate about major aspects of the proposal. There are some voices speaking out pointing to the problems, but no one seems willing to defend the LRT proposal.
- No one can show that the LRT will make any improvement to transit in this region - the BC Transit power point presentation does not show any data on how they came up with their numbers and does not address their errors in the presentation.
- There is still the issue of the recommendation coming from a subsidiary of the company most likely to build the LRT.
- There is no discussion of the impact to traffic in the CRD due to the loss of lanes on Douglas.
- There is no comparison between the LRT proposal and improvements to the roads.
- The financial numbers quoted for the benefits of the LRT are a black box with no indication of how they were created. Based on the best current research out there, the numbers seem to be fundamentally flawed. There is no debate on this.
- The LRT will cause a significant rise in property taxes - is this what people want? I understand BC Transit believes that the revenues from property taxes are too low and need to rise just on principle.
- No one is stepping forward and saying they are avoiding using transit because it is a bus and will shift to the LRT if it is built. Seriously, I have not heard of one person saying they would change their commuting if the LRT is built. If you are out there and driving and will only change once there is an LRT, please let me know. Even better, write a letter to the editor to let all the CRD know.
- All the evidence seems to be pointing to the LRT causing a fall in transit use in this region. The evidence I refer to is that the LRT has a lower capacity than the existing buses and the plans to make most trips on transit require a transfer. Transfers are known to be a for transit use.
In general, the LRT proposal is badly thought and without any data to show the reason why it is a good solution. All I can assume is that the supporters of the LRT have no data to show their idea makes any sense and are keeping quiet in hopes of getting the project to go ahead no matter what the public thinks.
If my concerns and issues were addressed, I would be a most enthusiastic supporter of the LRT.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
This could be an interesting meeting.....
Steve Filipovic is calling a meeting for next Thursday at the Vic West Community Centre called "Challenge the Establishment Strategy Meeting".
Steve is looking to come up with a different set of people to run for Victoria City council other than the left or right elites he sees having controlled City Council for too long.
He is focusing on Burnside-Gorge and Vic West, why only those to areas, I have no idea. I will go along and see what it is all about.
Steve is looking to come up with a different set of people to run for Victoria City council other than the left or right elites he sees having controlled City Council for too long.
He is focusing on Burnside-Gorge and Vic West, why only those to areas, I have no idea. I will go along and see what it is all about.
This event is being targeted to those living in the Burnside and Vic-West areas of Victoria.
Regime Change!
57 000 people did not vote for our present municipal government. It is time to unite for real change! Out Grow the Establishment! Every 3 yrs the Chamber of Commerce and the Labour Board, spend $60 000 each to fight over who gets to spend $600 000 000 over the next 3 yrs.
If you feel left out, it is because you are. Stand up to Big Money!
Exercise Your Democracy! Vic West Community Centre Thursday Aug. 4th 7 PM
Strategy Meeting to create Affordable Housing, and
build Accountable Governance – more Respect, less PR!
Real Solutions for the Homeless – No more Bull!
RSVP: SteveFilipovic@hotmail.com or 250-888-2588
Dean's Variety Show - Victoria Style - Wednesday July 27th
Dean Fortin is holding a fundraiser for his re-election campaign tomorrow night. Here are the details:
A fundraiser to re-elect Dean Fortin as Mayor of Victoria
Come on out for a night of fun and outstanding local talent hosted by Dean Fortin and Dylan "Big D" Willows.
Featuring:
Tickets are $30 and are available by calling (250) 590-7020, in person at Wolf Sheep ArtHouse (noon-7pm Tuesday to Sunday, Trounce Alley Downstairs)
- Bryan Skinner & Ollie Swain
- Ballet Victoria
- Wes Borg
- Ocean Rain Dancers
- Cheesecake Burlesque
- And much more!!!
Fun free things to do in Victoria
- Botanical Beach
- Galloping Goose - Lochside Trail
- Sooke Potholes
- Gorge swimming - yes, it is clean enough to swim in and has some nice beaches and places to jump into the water
- Tillicum reversing falls - underneath the Tillicum bridge, just check the tide times
- Becaon Hill Park - there are many nice places for a picnic, you can watch cricket, enjoy the waterfront or get wet under the giant watering can (if it is actually warm)
- Cadboro Bay - to watch the sailing and enjoy the sandy beach
- Mount Doug Park - there is an old mine shaft you can explore
- Downtown walking tours
- Hang out in Market Square
- Explore the nooks and crannies of the Old Town
- Capital Iron basement
- Legislature tour
- Vancouver Island Brewery tour
- Browsing Antique row on Fort Street - you can go to a live auction at one of two auction houses
- Take a double decker bus out to Sidney or to Sooke
- East Sooke Park - I really like starting at Ayland Farm
- Beaches that are hidden away such as Hollydene
- Fleming beach for rock climbing
- Saxe Point Park - a wonderful spot to hang out and watch the water
- Coburg Peninsula beach - beach fires are no longer allowed, but it is long and sandy
- Whitty's Lagoon
- Fishing off of the Sidney pier
- Government House for the gardens
- Legacy Art Gallery and Cafe 680 Yates Street
- Ross Bay Cemetery - many well known early BC people are buried here including Emily Carr, Bill Barker, James Douglas and Matthew Begbie
- Old Chinese Cemetery at Harling Point
- Thetis Lake park - for the hiking
- Royal Roads grounds
- Ogden Point Breakwater
- Mount Finlayson
- Mystic Beach/China Beach/French Beach
- Niagara Falls in Goldstream park
- Esquimalt Naval Base tours
- Munro's Books a temple to books
Pics from the 17th floor
My brother was in town last week for the Courtnall Classic, his company does a lot of big events. He asked hsi assistant to book him a suite so he could have his dog along and have space for his family. They got this HUGE suite on the 17th floor of the Executive House Hotel.
After I had dinner with my sister in law at the Marina restaurant, I had a chance to go up and check out the view and take a few pictures. We left it a few minutes too late and the light was not really that good any longer. Here are a few of the ones that sort of turned out - this is a view most of us here in town rarely get a chance to see
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Gorge Swimming
The summer is finally hot enough, so we have been at the dock near the Tillicum bridge.
Friday, July 22, 2011
2011 Municipal Elections
(added on November 19th 2011 - on the right hand side of the page you will see links to pages with all the information you are seeking on the candidates running)
At this point I would have to say the fall elections are going to be less of a battle than last time around. 2008 saw a number of competitive races
Seven of the 13 councils in this region had competitive races in 2008. Of the other six, there was some competition for a council seat or two.
This time around I am looking for the races and I do not see many out there. So far all that I see is the race for Saanich mayor and maybe the race for Victoria mayor.
The addition of Ben Isitt to the race in Victoria means one of the incumbents could lose, in order of the likelihood they could lose to him - John Luton, Phillipe Lucas, Chris Coleman, and Lynn Hunter. I see Pam Madoff, Geoff Young, Charlayne Thorton-Joe and Marianne Alto as safe. Much will depend on if Ben Isitt is running as a civic level New Democrat or not.
Langford is very quiet this time as are all the rest of the Westshore communities.
On the peninsula I assume there will be strong races in North Saanich and Central Saanich, but the evidence of those races happening are not out there.
At this point I would have to say the fall elections are going to be less of a battle than last time around. 2008 saw a number of competitive races
- There was a serious challenge in Langford to the Stewart Young's team - though the challengers ultimately lost by a lot.
- In Victoria there was a vacant mayor's seat - though the late entry of Rob Reid meant the race was not nearly as close as it could have been, but the gap was only 600 votes out of 16,839 votes
- Highlands had a very competitive race for both council and mayor
- Colwood has a close fought race for mayor
- Sooke has a race for council and mayor last time
- Central Saanich had a competitive race
- In North Saanich the sitting mayor was defeated
Seven of the 13 councils in this region had competitive races in 2008. Of the other six, there was some competition for a council seat or two.
This time around I am looking for the races and I do not see many out there. So far all that I see is the race for Saanich mayor and maybe the race for Victoria mayor.
The addition of Ben Isitt to the race in Victoria means one of the incumbents could lose, in order of the likelihood they could lose to him - John Luton, Phillipe Lucas, Chris Coleman, and Lynn Hunter. I see Pam Madoff, Geoff Young, Charlayne Thorton-Joe and Marianne Alto as safe. Much will depend on if Ben Isitt is running as a civic level New Democrat or not.
Langford is very quiet this time as are all the rest of the Westshore communities.
On the peninsula I assume there will be strong races in North Saanich and Central Saanich, but the evidence of those races happening are not out there.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
I am not going to run for council
I have been thinking about this for about two months now and I have decided that my life is not at the right point for me to run for Victoria City council in 2011. As it is, I do not have the time in my life to do the leisure things I want to do.
On the practical side of things, I did not get enough firm commitment for the money I would need to run - I was only certain of between $10,000 and $15,000, which is at best half of what the minimum is I would need to run. I also did not find someone that would willing to be my campaign manager.
As I look at the City of Victoria election, I see little or no threat for the incumbents and I expect them all to be re-elected. This also played into my decision, the odds of winning even if everything was in place was too long for me to want to run.
On the practical side of things, I did not get enough firm commitment for the money I would need to run - I was only certain of between $10,000 and $15,000, which is at best half of what the minimum is I would need to run. I also did not find someone that would willing to be my campaign manager.
As I look at the City of Victoria election, I see little or no threat for the incumbents and I expect them all to be re-elected. This also played into my decision, the odds of winning even if everything was in place was too long for me to want to run.
Derelict Boats
I am being crazy and considering buying a sailboat and this has had me near the shore in Brentwood recently. I had no idea that there were so many boats moored there and seemingly the majority of them illegal. One of the boats that is advertised is moored out there and the mooring comes free with the boat - if you know anything of the costs and availability of mooring in this region, that seems very fishy to me.
Today I was reading Saanich Voice Online and came across a piece by Ed Johnson from June 1st about the derelict boats in Tod Inlet. He did a tour of the inlet and produced this short video:
This is a problem all over the region and all along the coast. No one takes any responsibility for the boats and no one charges them with anything. Every decent sized boat with an engine is registered, it should be an easy task to find the owner.
There needs to be an enforceable regulation with serious fines to get people to quit littering the inshore waters with boats that should be scrapped. The Federal government should give local governments the power to enforce the regulations and let them have 90% of any fines.
If the feds are not going to act, the time has come for local governments and groups to sue the Federal government for damages.
Here is a story from last fall about the issue:
This is a report from my neighbourhood:
There are clear owners for the ships and they have to be held completely and entirely accountable for the ships. There should be no costs to the public. There should be no damage to the environment from these ships.
Some more reports:
From Cowichan Bay
From Saltspring
Two old ferries rotting on the Fraser - the Queen of Sidney and the San Mateo
Today I was reading Saanich Voice Online and came across a piece by Ed Johnson from June 1st about the derelict boats in Tod Inlet. He did a tour of the inlet and produced this short video:
This is a problem all over the region and all along the coast. No one takes any responsibility for the boats and no one charges them with anything. Every decent sized boat with an engine is registered, it should be an easy task to find the owner.
There needs to be an enforceable regulation with serious fines to get people to quit littering the inshore waters with boats that should be scrapped. The Federal government should give local governments the power to enforce the regulations and let them have 90% of any fines.
If the feds are not going to act, the time has come for local governments and groups to sue the Federal government for damages.
Here is a story from last fall about the issue:
This is a report from my neighbourhood:
There are clear owners for the ships and they have to be held completely and entirely accountable for the ships. There should be no costs to the public. There should be no damage to the environment from these ships.
Some more reports:
From Cowichan Bay
From Saltspring
Two old ferries rotting on the Fraser - the Queen of Sidney and the San Mateo
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Chilean Naval Tallship Esmeralda is coming to Victoria
The 1973 coup in Chile is an important one in the world for everyone to remember. It is the only case I know of where a long term democracy was overthrown in a military coup. Before 1973 Chile really had no history of dictatorship - 1924 to 1932 was close but there were still elections.
The Chileans have this stain on their nation and a military that still will not accept that what they did was illegal.
The Esmeralda was used as one of the primary locations of political detention and torture in Chile from 1973 to 1980. To this day the military of Chile has done nothing to acknowledge that the deaths, tortures and rapes that occurred on the ship from 1973 to 1980 were illegal at the time and remain illegal to this day.
To this day, the military of Chile uses the threat of another coup to ensure that the government of Chile does nothing to hold the murders, torturers and rapists to account for their actions. The military has never acknowledged that the 1973 coup destroyed one of the most open and long term democracies in the world.
There is a campaign to have the ship not come to Victoria from August 1st to 5th.
I may do something public, but I am not sure what.
I am trying to imagine what it must be like to be a sailor on this ship knowing that your bunk was used as a prison and likely had numerous women raped in it? I assume that the military continues to tell the new recruits that coup was necessary to stop the communists. I assume they tell them that the torture, rape and murders were needed to ensure there was no communist take over. I assume they never tell the recruits that they should be ashamed to be serving in the only military that ever overthrew a long term democracy.
I my dream world, Canada would confiscate the ship and sink it to become a memorial to the horrors committed on the ship.
The Chileans have this stain on their nation and a military that still will not accept that what they did was illegal.
The Esmeralda was used as one of the primary locations of political detention and torture in Chile from 1973 to 1980. To this day the military of Chile has done nothing to acknowledge that the deaths, tortures and rapes that occurred on the ship from 1973 to 1980 were illegal at the time and remain illegal to this day.
To this day, the military of Chile uses the threat of another coup to ensure that the government of Chile does nothing to hold the murders, torturers and rapists to account for their actions. The military has never acknowledged that the 1973 coup destroyed one of the most open and long term democracies in the world.
There is a campaign to have the ship not come to Victoria from August 1st to 5th.
I may do something public, but I am not sure what.
I am trying to imagine what it must be like to be a sailor on this ship knowing that your bunk was used as a prison and likely had numerous women raped in it? I assume that the military continues to tell the new recruits that coup was necessary to stop the communists. I assume they tell them that the torture, rape and murders were needed to ensure there was no communist take over. I assume they never tell the recruits that they should be ashamed to be serving in the only military that ever overthrew a long term democracy.
I my dream world, Canada would confiscate the ship and sink it to become a memorial to the horrors committed on the ship.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
I know I am smarter than this......
On Friday at PJ 2011 I had a chance to go sailing on a Cal 20. I have avoided going sailing because I know that if I did I would want to buy a sailboat. I did not make it 6 hours before I started to to look for a sailboat.Last night Sheila and I went out to look at this 13 foot wooden sailboat in North Saanich. It is in almost perfect condition. The man selling it built it himself years ago and did an amazing job. It is beautiful and has amazing attention to detail. The pictures do it no justice.
The man that built it used his own design based on an east coast sneak boat. It has a lateen rigging that is very easy to set up and take down.
The design is one in which it could be used as a sailboat or a kayak. Reminiscent of the Klepper Faltboots my parents used in the 1950s. It would be a perfect boat for use in the Gorge.The price for the boat and trailer - and the boat needs no work to be ready to put in the water - is $550. No error there with the number of zeros. This is very affordable, but if I were to get it I do not think I could let the boys sail it as I would be terrified they would get a scratch on it. The man selling it clearly is charging a low price because his primary interest is that he find a good home for his creation.
I am going to try and resist buying this boat. Though what do I do if the boys decide to buy it with their own money?
Thursday, July 07, 2011
Capacity of the LRT versus the capacity of buses
I am going to use the 4 pm to 5 pm hour as this seems to be busiest hour for rush hour in this region and look at the buses on Douglas and compare that to the LRT. This is all northbound only and buses passing Uptown in this one hour.
This is a total of 31 buses that are providing commuter service that would in theory be partially or completely replaced by the LRT. The total capacity of these buses going northbound is about 2600 to 2700 people. Even if we only look at the buses using Douglas all the way to Uptown, that is 22 buses in that hour with a capacity of around 1800 to 2000 - the variation in both cases is because I do not know the mix of double decker and other buses on the routes.
The LRT, as outlined in the Victoria Regional Rapid Transit Project Report, is stated to be a 40 metre long train, I assume this is a three car train. This train has a capacity, according to the report of 230 people. The system is to start with 13 trains and eventually move to 20 trains.
With 13 trains and a 90 minute round trip, no more than 9 trains can pass through Uptown in one hour and most hours the limit will be 8. The 90 minute round trip assumes no stopping time at either terminal for the operator to have a break.
9 trains with a capacity of 230 passengers means a total capacity outbound during the peak rush hour of 2070.
With the eventual 20 trains, this will be 13 trains in an hour passing this point for a maximum fully built out LRT being able to handle 2990 people in one hour.
Current bus capacity is about 600 more people per hour more than the LRT would initially be able to move.
If all those buses were double deckers, the capacity would be 3100 for the buses, which is higher than the projected final maximum for the LRT.
So what is the maximum capacity theoretically possible for the LRT? Given the restrictions of Douglas Street downtown, a headway of less than 4 minutes is functionally impossible as long as there are traffic lights downtown. I honestly think 5 minute headway is the best that could be consistently achieved and the 20 train final LRT seems to bear that out, but let us look at 4 minute headway.
A 4 minute headway would be 15 trains per hour and this would give us an upper capacity of 3450 people.
So what is the possible capacity of buses on Douglas Street? How long is a piece of string? The theoretical limit to how many buses that could operate is way beyond what demand could ever be.
At the moment, between 4 pm and 5 pm, 81 buses cross Yates Street going northbound on Douglas. This is a capacity of around 6900 to 7000 passengers which should give everyone a sense of how many people buses could move along Douglas if we wanted them all to go to the Westshore.
So why is the LRT being proposed as a solution when it can not handle more passengers than the current buses? There is no more space for new transit passengers than what we have at the moment and we want to spend a $1,000,000,000 to build the system?
- #30/31 - 7 buses
- #32x - 1 bus
- #50 - 9 buses
- #57x - 2 buses
- #61 - 4 buses
- #70x - 2 buses (there are 3 in 62 minutes)
- #72 - 3 buses
- #75 - 3 buses
This is a total of 31 buses that are providing commuter service that would in theory be partially or completely replaced by the LRT. The total capacity of these buses going northbound is about 2600 to 2700 people. Even if we only look at the buses using Douglas all the way to Uptown, that is 22 buses in that hour with a capacity of around 1800 to 2000 - the variation in both cases is because I do not know the mix of double decker and other buses on the routes.
The LRT, as outlined in the Victoria Regional Rapid Transit Project Report, is stated to be a 40 metre long train, I assume this is a three car train. This train has a capacity, according to the report of 230 people. The system is to start with 13 trains and eventually move to 20 trains.
With 13 trains and a 90 minute round trip, no more than 9 trains can pass through Uptown in one hour and most hours the limit will be 8. The 90 minute round trip assumes no stopping time at either terminal for the operator to have a break.
9 trains with a capacity of 230 passengers means a total capacity outbound during the peak rush hour of 2070.
With the eventual 20 trains, this will be 13 trains in an hour passing this point for a maximum fully built out LRT being able to handle 2990 people in one hour.
Current bus capacity is about 600 more people per hour more than the LRT would initially be able to move.
If all those buses were double deckers, the capacity would be 3100 for the buses, which is higher than the projected final maximum for the LRT.
So what is the maximum capacity theoretically possible for the LRT? Given the restrictions of Douglas Street downtown, a headway of less than 4 minutes is functionally impossible as long as there are traffic lights downtown. I honestly think 5 minute headway is the best that could be consistently achieved and the 20 train final LRT seems to bear that out, but let us look at 4 minute headway.
A 4 minute headway would be 15 trains per hour and this would give us an upper capacity of 3450 people.
So what is the possible capacity of buses on Douglas Street? How long is a piece of string? The theoretical limit to how many buses that could operate is way beyond what demand could ever be.
At the moment, between 4 pm and 5 pm, 81 buses cross Yates Street going northbound on Douglas. This is a capacity of around 6900 to 7000 passengers which should give everyone a sense of how many people buses could move along Douglas if we wanted them all to go to the Westshore.
So why is the LRT being proposed as a solution when it can not handle more passengers than the current buses? There is no more space for new transit passengers than what we have at the moment and we want to spend a $1,000,000,000 to build the system?
#70 Express - how is this an express?
When I heard about the change of the #70 to the #70 Express, I thought great, a faster bus to and from the ferry. I went to see how much faster the bus.
So how much faster is the new #70 Express compared to the #70? Not at all.
The access to the #70 has been reduced on the route but the time for the bus to run the route is no faster. So what is going on? How can you run the bus a lot more on the highway, drop most of the stops on the route and not get an improved time?
So how much faster is the new #70 Express compared to the #70? Not at all.
The access to the #70 has been reduced on the route but the time for the bus to run the route is no faster. So what is going on? How can you run the bus a lot more on the highway, drop most of the stops on the route and not get an improved time?
A couple of logistical issues about the LRT
At grade rail systems are a logistical nightmare. Since a lot of work and a lot of money was put into the alignment work I assume that the route as published online is the best possible location and all the details have been considered. What stands out to me is that the more I look at it, the more I think the Galloping Goose will no longer exist if the LRT is built.
First off, how do you manage to fit the LRT right of way in this location without getting rid of the Galloping Goose on the bluff above the highway?
View Larger Map
Next to the youth detention centre (that is the building on your right as you get to Ext 10 heading out of town) the alignment is to be between the highway and the detention centre. I look at this and I try to figure out where the space will be to fit the LRT in. This is the only location between Uptown and the Old Island Highway where alignment leaves the Galloping Goose.
View Larger Map
Then we get to going under the #1 and heading towards Colwood. There is on space there for the LRT or the Galloping Goose, but not both.
View Larger Map
People have been raising the issue of loss of access to properties on Douglas due to the LRT and the impact of the loss of lanes, no one has been talking about the same issue/problem on the Old Island Highway in View Royal/Colwood. Right now the Old Island Highway is reduced to a single lane northbound in View Royal and it causes major problems for traffic.
View Larger Map
Finally, how will the intersection of Goldstream and Veteran's Memorial Parkway be dealt with? The LRT is to cross from Goldstream to Station Ave, this strikes me as problematic as the current E&N alignment. Any train going through the intersection will stop all four directions of traffic to stop. This would about every three minutes the intersection would have to close to allow an LRT go through the intersection.
View Larger Map
I am curious if anyone out there has answers how these locations can be managed? Also, do we really want to see an end to the Galloping Goose?
First off, how do you manage to fit the LRT right of way in this location without getting rid of the Galloping Goose on the bluff above the highway?
View Larger Map
Next to the youth detention centre (that is the building on your right as you get to Ext 10 heading out of town) the alignment is to be between the highway and the detention centre. I look at this and I try to figure out where the space will be to fit the LRT in. This is the only location between Uptown and the Old Island Highway where alignment leaves the Galloping Goose.
View Larger Map
Then we get to going under the #1 and heading towards Colwood. There is on space there for the LRT or the Galloping Goose, but not both.
View Larger Map
People have been raising the issue of loss of access to properties on Douglas due to the LRT and the impact of the loss of lanes, no one has been talking about the same issue/problem on the Old Island Highway in View Royal/Colwood. Right now the Old Island Highway is reduced to a single lane northbound in View Royal and it causes major problems for traffic.
View Larger Map
Finally, how will the intersection of Goldstream and Veteran's Memorial Parkway be dealt with? The LRT is to cross from Goldstream to Station Ave, this strikes me as problematic as the current E&N alignment. Any train going through the intersection will stop all four directions of traffic to stop. This would about every three minutes the intersection would have to close to allow an LRT go through the intersection.
View Larger Map
I am curious if anyone out there has answers how these locations can be managed? Also, do we really want to see an end to the Galloping Goose?
Friday, July 01, 2011
Fall Municipal Elections
A larger number of people have asked if I would run for Victoria City Council in November than I have expected would do so. Enough that I am seriously considering the idea.
I started this blog as a way to express my thoughts on what I thought could be better in this City. I am not a fan of Victoria. This is mainly because the potential of what the city could be is so much more than what it is now. I also happen to like a different climate - 40+ in the summer and -10 in the winter. But Victoria is my home and will be so for decades to come.
In 2008 I used this blog as a way for me to figure out who was running for council around the region and what they stood for. I saw from the 2005 elections how hard it was to find out about the candidates. I started out really just doing it did for myself, but in the end I had thousands of people reading it each day to find out about the election. I had sort of thought I would be doing something similar this time around.
Enough people have asked if I would run that I need to actually consider it. To this end, please send me an email with your thoughts on the idea. I will not be allowing the posting of comments on this post because this is not a public debate for me.
My primary reasons I am not keen to run:
Primary reasons I would run:
So the idea is out there, tell me what you think.
I started this blog as a way to express my thoughts on what I thought could be better in this City. I am not a fan of Victoria. This is mainly because the potential of what the city could be is so much more than what it is now. I also happen to like a different climate - 40+ in the summer and -10 in the winter. But Victoria is my home and will be so for decades to come.
In 2008 I used this blog as a way for me to figure out who was running for council around the region and what they stood for. I saw from the 2005 elections how hard it was to find out about the candidates. I started out really just doing it did for myself, but in the end I had thousands of people reading it each day to find out about the election. I had sort of thought I would be doing something similar this time around.
Enough people have asked if I would run that I need to actually consider it. To this end, please send me an email with your thoughts on the idea. I will not be allowing the posting of comments on this post because this is not a public debate for me.
My primary reasons I am not keen to run:
- I have expressed enough of my thoughts online that I have no hope of getting elected
- If all eight incumbents run again, the odds of running and winning is low. I could only see it happening if there were an organized slate and I was part of it.
- I have learned that I have thinner skin than I thought and I really do not deal well with unfounded anger directed at me
- I have four boys, the youngest of which is only three and being on council may not fit with my life.
- I am not sure I would be able to make more of a difference being elected than not - I am realistic about the real power that elected officials have
Primary reasons I would run:
- If I could be on a team on council that would make some real change to Victoria for the positive
- To put an end to the dumb LRT idea and ideally get power of transit into the hands of local government
- Work towards a closer cooperation between municipalities on planning, zoning and bylaws
- Because enough people have said I should that I might have a realistic chance of winning.
So the idea is out there, tell me what you think.
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