System to be introduced at Commercial-Broadway Station

NEW WESTMINSTER, BC —Lineups are about to get easier at the busiest bus stop in Metro Vancouver that serves one of the busiest bus corridors in the region, just in time for post-secondary students to go back to school. TransLink is introducing a pilot queuing system at the westbound 99 B-Line stop at Commercial-Broadway Station by September 2. The system will make passenger boarding easier and keep sidewalk space open for people walking by.

The pilot queuing system is a simple, cost-effective solution to some of the queuing issues and long lineups at the bus stop. Painted queue lines and pavement markings will direct passengers to the front, middle and rear doors. An accessibility path to the front door will be put in place for customers with disabilities.

The painting and construction work for the pilot queuing system is expected to occur during the week of August 25. Bus stops for the 99 B-Line and 9 will be moved slightly to the west on August 25 and 26 to allow for installation.

The pilot runs from September 2014 to spring 2015 when construction of a new shelter for the 99 B-Line is planned to start. The queuing system and shelter are part of the Phase 2 upgrades at Commercial-Broadway Station.

The pilot queuing system was developed following a TransLink study at Commercial-Broadway Station in late January. The study found that pavement markings were effective for managing the long line-ups at the 99 B-Line stop while providing clear sidewalk space for pedestrians. A time-lapse video taken during the study is available on the TransLink YouTube channel.

Beginning September 2, customers can provide feedback on the pilot queuing system through an online survey at www.translink.ca/99blineq. This feedback will be considered for the shelter and permanent queuing system being developed.

Quotes

Jeff Busby, Senior Manager Infrastructure and Network Management, TransLink

“Our customers told us that lining up for the 99 B-Line at Commercial-Broadway Station can be challenging, especially during peak periods when lineups are longer, so our team has piloted this solution. We know from the queuing study we did in January that just using painted lines can be a simple, cost-effective solution as we work toward a permanent queuing system and shelter.”

Commercial-Broadway Station Phase 2 Upgrades

• Commercial–Broadway Station is a major transit hub for Metro Vancouver. The station serves 90,000 station trips per day and 60,000 bus trips per day, making it the busiest station on the system.
• To upgrade the station for existing and future customers, an additional platform for Expo Line trains will be built, and the crossing over the Grandview Cut will be widened.
• This upgrade marks the second phase of necessary improvements to the station and ensures the rapid transit system will be able to meet the needs of passengers and the growing region for years to come.
• Construction at the station is expected to begin in early 2015 and continue through 2016.

For additional coverage about the planning behind the pilot queuing system, see this article.