9626 replies to this topic

[UrbanRail]

Why don't they redraw the entire bus system to make it work with todays population centres? This system was set up how many years ago? An entire rework is due.

Well the network, at least within Greater Victoria, stems from the streetcar era (11, 4, 14, 15) for example. These routes serve the densest corridors, which I doubt will change. If you look at a density map of Victoria and compare it to the current transit map and the old streetcar map, you will see what I mean. After that the suburban routes like the 27/28 and 30/31 were put in to serve growing suburban areas, which in the early years were more like express routes. Most suburban routes date back to 60s/70s/80s.

 

I have an old transit map from 1948 showing the proposed conversion of streetcar routes into gas and trolley routes with proposed extensions.

 

Like many routes, they were put in to serve suburban to downtown commuters (which is still evident today). What you are seeing now is more infill routes like in the Westshore and potential crosstown routes.

[Nparker]

My understanding back then, was that any suburban buses were numbered in the 900s?

The existing #30 route used to be the "930"; I suppose in its journey out to Royal Oak it was "suburban". Meanwhile, back in the late 1980s, I frequently travelled from Brentwood to downtown on the very suburban #75, but it was never the "975". 

[UrbanRail]

The existing #30 route used to be the "930"; I suppose in its journey out to Royal Oak it was "suburban". Meanwhile, back in the late 1980s, I frequently travelled from Brentwood to downtown on the very suburban #75, but it was never the "975". 

Yeah not sure why only certain routes were in the 900s, but probably to distinguish between them and inner city routes. I believe the 27/28 were also numbered in the 900s.

[VicHockeyFan]

My understanding back then, was that any suburban buses were numbered in the 900s?

 

Something like that.  I think it meant that it had limited stops until it got to the community it served.  And yes, 30 was 930.

 

Also, when I was a kid, the 28/928(?) did not even go into town except in rush hours.  It cycled around at Garnet/McKenzie/Shelbourne and only took its passengers off the 28 bringing them in from town, and the 26 Crosstown bringing them from the dockyard etc.

[UrbanRail]

Something like that.  I think it meant that it had limited stops until it got to the community it served.  And yes, 30 was 930.

 

Also, when I was a kid, the 28/928(?) did not even go into town except in rush hours.  It cycled around at Garnet/McKenzie/Shelbourne and only took its passengers off the 28 bringing them in from town, and the 26 Crosstown bringing them from the dockyard etc.

Yeah I think the 30/31 (930/931) were similar. Apparently they actually use to stop right in Mayfair mall.

[VicHockeyFan]

Yeah I think the 30/31 (930/931) were similar. Apparently they actually use to stop right in Mayfair mall.

 

Ya, they did, pulled right into the parking lot.

[Mike K.]

Oh yeah, the 9xx's were meant as the express variants of their regular routes.

 

Ever few years you guys get to read my gripe about our numbering system. No rhyme or reason, no indication of what goes where. Lame-o.

 

#66 to Shawnigan and #61 to Sooke? Sure, why not. #99 goes to Duncan, #88 to North Saanich. Obviously.

 

What it ought to be is:

0-99 inner city or crosstown within the urban core

100-199 anything that connects with or travels through the Westshore

200-299 anything that connects with or travels to or through Central Saanich and points north

300-399 routes to and from Cowichan

 

Makes sense, right?

[talldude123]

Oh yeah, the 9xx's were meant as the express variants of their regular routes.

 

Ever few years you guys get to read my gripe about our numbering system. No rhyme or reason, no indication of what goes where. Lame-o.

 

#66 to Shawnigan and #61 to Sooke? Sure, why not. #99 goes to Duncan, #88 to North Saanich. Obviously.

 

What it ought to be is:

0-99 inner city or crosstown within the urban core

100-199 anything that connects with or travels through the Westshore

200-299 anything that connects with or travels to or through Central Saanich and points north

300-399 routes to and from Cowichan

 

Makes sense, right?

 

That would make sense. For example, when I was in Edmonton a couple months ago on holidays, their routes were as follows: 

• 1Base Routes (1-29)
• 2Riverbend/Terwillegar Routes (30-39)
• 3Century Park/Yellowbird Routes (40-49)
• 4University/Strathcona Routes (50-59)
• 5Mill Woods Routes (60-79)
• 6Capilano/Bonnie Doon Routes (80-99)
• 7West Edmonton Routes (100-119)
• 8West Central Routes (120-139)
• 9East Central Routes (140-149)
• 10North Central Routes (150-159)
• 11Castle Downs and Northeast Edmonton Routes (160-199)
• 12Small Bus Routes (300-399)
• 13Special Routes (500-599)
  
  It seems a bit daunting; but after taking the bus a few times, it was pretty simple. Plus I mostly used the West end routes as that's where I stayed.
   

[UrbanRail]

Oh yeah, the 9xx's were meant as the express variants of their regular routes.

 

Ever few years you guys get to read my gripe about our numbering system. No rhyme or reason, no indication of what goes where. Lame-o.

 

#66 to Shawnigan and #61 to Sooke? Sure, why not. #99 goes to Duncan, #88 to North Saanich. Obviously.

 

What it ought to be is:

0-99 inner city or crosstown within the urban core

100-199 anything that connects with or travels through the Westshore

200-299 anything that connects with or travels to or through Central Saanich and points north

300-399 routes to and from Cowichan

 

Makes sense, right?

What you suggested is similar to what I have brought up many times.

[Mike K.]

So how do we go about petitioning BCT to employ a more meaningful numbering system?

[sdwright.vic]

Maybe when they redesign the route's

[Mike K.]

Redesign the routes? Is that actually something they're actively doing right now?

[sdwright.vic]

Well they should, but it was mentioned that it was to be a part of rapid transit (bus or rail) down Douglas.

Edited by sdwright.vic, 28 June 2017 - 09:05 AM.

[UrbanRail]

Not sure how you can redesign the routes. The main ones pretty much serve the major corridors and commercial centres. Its possible that more feeder routes could be added and more crosstown routes.

[UrbanRail]

So how do we go about petitioning BCT to employ a more meaningful numbering system?

 First change management.

[BCbinders]

People seem to realize that buses will get later and later if people keep boarding the bus. I miss the days when the 70x used to only stop at specific stops Downtown. Same for the 61x. BCT is basically trying to eliminate anything express-based. I believe only the 61x, 27/28x, and 32x are the only express routes left. Even the 76x is being canned. 

 

 

In my experience the express routes were not all that much quicker.  People tend to wait for the express, which requires longer stopping times.  As well, they pretty much travel the same route, taking the same roads.  I think that BC Transit should do away with the express routes and increase service on the regular ones. 

[BCbinders]

Stay tuned - two brand new buses will be on the Route 3 starting June 26th! 2017 Grande West Vicinity 30-foot. Basically a chinese-built, but Canadian marketed bus out of Aldergrove, BC. 

 

 

talldude123, I notice in your sig you are a BC Transit Operator. Have you driven this bus yet?  How does it handle?

Edited by BCbinders, 01 July 2017 - 06:24 PM.

[BCbinders]

Yeah that has never made much sense. Most of the eastbound passengers get off this route on Fort at Douglas and the westbound ones on Yates at Douglas.

 

 

Prior to changing the route 15, there wasn't a bus that went all the way through Esquimalt that went to Uvic (the 16 turns up Lampson).  They did this to reduce loads on the 4, 14, 26, 7.  Before everyone on the 6 would have to get off on Douglas and try to get on a UVic bus there.

[Nparker]

Prior to changing the route 15, there wasn't a bus that went all the way through Esquimalt that went to Uvic...

Based on my observations of this route there is little demand for a non-transfer bus from Esquimalt to UVic.

[Bingo]

Thank you BC Transit and all the drivers who got us to town and back on Canada Day. It made the party much more relaxing.