4 replies to this topic

[Peter]

Doppelmayr has proposed a 3S gondola for access to Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, BC.

Quote

SFU gondola plan takes a step forward

TransLink is asking for proposals to take a closer look at the idea of a gondola up Burnaby Mountain
Read more: http://www.burnabyno...l#ixzz10ZWuJZct

The SFU Community Trust is glad to see TransLink progressing on plans for a gondola line to the university.
TransLink issued a request for proposals for an aerial gondola business case study this week.
"We're delighted they're moving forward with a business case study," Gordon Harris, president and CEO of the trust, said. "It's essentially the next step."
The gondola would run from Production Way SkyTrain station up Burnaby Mountain.
Simon Fraser University has about 25,000 students, and the community has about 3,000 residents, but the area is being developed and the population is expected to grow.
The SFU Community Trust, which is in charge of overseeing the UniverCity development, presented a preliminary feasibility study to TransLink and is promoting the idea.
Doppelmayr Garaventa Group, which built Whistler's Peak 2 Peak gondola, did the feasibility study.
It is a more cost-effective option, Harris said, and would replace the No. 145 shuttle bus to SFU, which transports about 12,000 people per day.
A system similar to the Peak 2 Peak gondola would be able to move upwards of 3,000 people per hour, he said.
The gondola concept is ideal for SFU and UniverCity because it is quiet, reliable and affordable while also curbing greenhouse gas emissions.
The gondola would cut the need for the shuttle to SFU, thereby cutting 50,000 hours of diesel buses running on the hill, he said.
It would also help during the winter months, when service up the mountain is more sporadic, often when students are in the middle of exams, he said.
He did not expect the project would be funded by SFU, he said, because it is a transit project and would replace TransLink's current service.
The initial study estimated the pro-ject would probably cost $70 million, but TransLink will need to do its own research on that, Harris added.
"We're not in the transit or gondola business," he explained.
The project could likely be completed in a few years, Harris said. "I think it's realistic to say in three to four years, we could have gondola service on the mountain."
Ken Hardie, spokesperson for TransLink, said the project does look more reliable and cost-effective.
It would mean less wear and tear on the buses, as the shuttles wouldn't have to travel up and down the mountain any longer and could be deployed to other areas, he added.
The gondola service would have enough capacity to run the equivalent of 25 to 30 busloads of people up the mountain every hour, Hardie said.
The trip could also be done four to six minutes more quickly than with the buses, he added.
Funding for the project would come out of TransLink's operating budget, he said, though he added it isn't clear at this point how much money is needed or how it will be covered.
The Smart Card system would be in place by then, he added. The electronic fare paying system is expected to be in place in 2013, Hardie said.
TransLink expects proposals will come back quickly, he added, and he expects a contract will be awarded by the end of March.

[teachme]

Grew up in Vancouver and have to say that anything Transit Link looks at has a 50:1 shot of actually being done. Usually more money is spent on studies than on the project it seems. 

Second issue is that a gondola is a great idea, but how to deal with low ridership times, like when uni is out of session or early mornings and late nights.

Third issue is of security, especially for females, and vandalism. Only system I can see working for these problems is some sort of staffed tram or funicular.

[Aussierob]

Anytime ridership is low is a good time for maintenance. Vandalism is always an issue, which is solvable if you have the resources, also the busier it is the less vandalism. As for security, I've seen it done with parkades where females are escorted by security guards. Wouldn't be that hard as I think there would be a couple around anyway and the gondola is a captive system.

[teachme]

Sorry if I was unclear, I understand that slow times are maintenance times, but what I meant was that a bus fleet is still going to be needed for slow times (as well as to get people up from North Burnaby). As such the savings are not going to be as great as could otherwise be expected. 

Same with vandalism prevention and the need to escort female students. These will add to the costs quite alot and hence reduce savings.

I understand infrastructure and staffing costs need to be factored in to the final decision, but just considering operating costs, how much (very roughly) would it cost to run a gondola like this per hour (electricity and maintenance)?

[skierdude9450]

As far as security, to me it doesn't seem any different than the Sky Train. I'm sure a silent alarm like what is on the trains could be installed in a gondola.