OK. Marine is a Nice station. Worthy of a tier 1 finish but but #1? Not in my books. It has two big problems. First, it was ripe to have 2nd story walkways over the busy Cambie Marine intersection. Instead it forces all the peds into the middle of that frackass.
Second, the bus loop. Coulda, shoulda been better integrated with Marine Drive. Ideally the Marine bus should go straight along Marine without a 5 minute trip through 4 lights & around the block. If you want to see good integration, check out Toronto's Lawrence & Yonge Station. The bus connection is under the intersection.
Marine station is nicely situated in the mall but lacks integration with the rest of the surroundings.
I feel like Moody should get a bit of a bump up since it connects to the West Coast Express, but then another bump down because the escalator to the train only goes down, which sucks when you need to go up.
Re: Why does Lincoln exist? I believe it wasn’t part of the original Evergreen plans, but Coquitlam Centre wanted something closer than the neighbouring stations, so they pitched in a bunch of money to make it happen.
Came to reply this but then saw your comment. Also, Morguard has applied to rezone the bit of the parking lot nearest the station for (No surprise) condos.
Columbia oughta have a centre platform but nope! Gotta go up and down or down and up to change branches! And it doesn't get easier until Royal Oak, 4 additional stops down!
Templeton is named after the Vancouver Mayor at the time. (So is the Vancouver east end school, and street)
It was his idea to have an (extremely simple) airport on Sea Island. North east of it was the Liberal MP Arthur Liang and else, family FraSea Jersey cow farm on Sea Island (darker, sweeter milk)
Coquitlam Centre, or the part (separate owner) is now building next to the Station.
The LaFarge station is the end of the line, and the entrance to a very nice Lafarge Lake, great Xmas lights, and several festivals over the months.
Lafarge Lake is also a nice walk around the lake in nature in all seasons.
AND, across the street is Coquitlam's City Hall and the REAL MAYOR (Richard) STEWART will make you a cup of coffee, with the McELROY blend (very bitter)
and down the street is the Henderson Mall, and the great Asian food court on the southern second floor.
On Glen street area are several Iranian cafes. Brisk has wonderful Tiramisu and coffee on PineTree Way.
North of the Coquitlam Centre T&T there are mini-malls with odd shops and small ethnic cafes.
Here is a proper audit of the 16 stations in Burnaby and NW
There are 16 Stations on both the E & M Lines. The E line has two branches E1 to/from Surrey's King George Stn and E2 to/from Production-Univ. Stn.
Passengers accessing and using these Stations have various problems that should have been fixed years ago. Transit has to be seen as comfortable to regular users and visitors.
All available information should be posted on websites and at different stations. A video showing details could also be used.
Photos and written descriptions could also be used for wayfinding and to navigate, riders how to enter and exit the different stations.
Detail up to date maps should be posted at Stations entrances/exits , platforms and bus loops/bus stops adjacent to the Stations. The present standard maps have many omissions and need improvements. Some maps are marked at the bottom as "Not To Scale "
When Stations are closed overnight proper information about available overnight bus services should be posted ( see signage at Burrard Station). Minor changes to early am opening/closing of the Stations and. minor changes to early am bus services would result in 24/7 bus/train service to/from NW Stn, Edmonds Stn, Metrotown Stn, Lougheed Stn, Brentwood Stn, Gilmore Stn. These are the busiest Stations and should have proper 24/7 bus service by the N9 and N19 NightBus routes and regular bus routes that serves these stations.
Seating is only 4 or 3 or 2 seats per platform, need at least 6 to 10 seats per platform, more seats on outbound platforms as people wait for their BRANCH Train E1 or E2 on the Expo line to come for up to 10 to 15 mins at night .
.All bus stops around all Stations should be accessible, proper concrete/asphalt walkways/bikeways should be provided instead of gravel .Most of these stations do not conform to present building standards or the ADA standards of 1990.
Proper bike lockers and parkades should be provided at all stations, not just a few. Proper Bike Maps should be posted.
Public Washrooms should be provided where there are no public buildings/stores/restaurants. Proper signs should be installed at every Station/Bus Loop directing passengers to available washrooms.
Whenever possible all stations should be enclosed to stop snow/rain/wind from getting inside and for passengers' comfort. Architects do not use Transit in Metro Vancouver, which is why our stations are so bad compare to many other big cities.( In Surrey Station Tracks are covered )
Patterson Station;
1. Need to modernize Stn
2.. Proper up/down escalators are needed to enter/exit the eastbound platform.
3.. Canopy is too short above both platforms. Need proper weather protection.
4. Need a proper accessable entrance/exit from the west side of Patterson Avenue( Central Park ) Elevator and Escalator are needed.Cliambing 45 stairs is too much.
5. Route 129 turnaround could be Central Blvd, Wilson, Beresford. Instead of Central Blvd , Wilson, Kemp, Willingdon, Beresford. Another possibility is starting #129 at Metrotown Stn instead of Patterson Stn. thus providing two way bus service between them.
Metrotown Station ;
1..Pedestrian/cycle overpass to the South and to the North from platforms.It is way too long to go down to the 3 lobby exits plus too many pedestrians crossing Central Blvd, at least 5000 per day. The old overpass reminds us how bad the design is, the Mall redevelopment is at least 10 yrs away, and we have been waiting since 2017 for a proper new overpass.
2. Bus loop and bus stops around the station need to be improved for better connections.
3.. The N19 bus need to stop on Central Blvd. by having a two mins detour off Kingsway. Bus service to Downtown Vancouver should be 24/7, not 22/7
4. Proper overhead walkways to the 3 entrances and to the various bus stops.
Royal Oak Station
1.. Need to modernize Stn,
2.. Need a future west side entrance/exit
3.. Canopy is too short above both platforms
4. No bench/shelter at the HandyDART stop #58641.
Edmonds Station;
1. Need to modernize Stn. and the bus loop.
3. Overhead cover walkway
4. Canopy is too short above both platforms
5. No bench/shelter at HandyDART stop #52408
6. Need better connection, entrance/exit on the east side with the pedestrian overpass to the south. maybe a new exit/entrance?
7. Need N19 bus to detour for 3 mins. off Kingsway to provide 24/7 Bus service to/from Edmonds Station.
8. Proper early am Train service on Weekends ( Trains travel " Not In Service " )
22nd Street Station;
1.Need to modernize Stn.
2. Need. more escalators and elevators.
3. More cover walkways and better bus shelters.
4. Canopy to short above both platforms.
5. Need to convert the #100 bus to 24/7 service because of connections at Marine Dr. Station/YVR/Richmond. on most days it is already 21 hrs per day.
6. Proper early am Train service on weekends, ( Trains travel "Not In Service" )
New Westminister Stn;
1. Remodeled Station, but many signs are missing and need proper wayfinding Maybe extend the station over 8th St. to provide a new entrance/exit on from the east side of 8th St.
2. The bus stop for route 112 to far away and does not have a shelter and/or bench.
3. The canopy on the east side should be lengthened.
4.. No public washrooms at the Mall? Except at Tim Hortons. downstairs?
5.. Proper early am Train service on weekends to Surrey. (trains travel. "Not In Service")
Columbia Station
1.Need to modernize Stn. and rename station to "Columbia-4th Street Station" More escalators and elevators at all entrances and exits.
2. Proper early am Train Service on weekends. ( trains travel "Not In Service")
3. Investegate extending the station under 4th St. To the east for a new entrance/exit.
4.. Need to have a marked HandyDART passenger bus stop zone.
Sapperton. Station
1.Need to modernize Stn
2.More elevators and escalators possibly down to Brunette Ave. and/or pedestrian/cycle overpass to the eastern industrial area.
Passengers use the emergency exits to get to/from Brunette Ave. it is a long staircase.
3. Proper wayfinding signs to bus stops on East. Columbia and to HandyDART passenger bus stop zone
4. Safety & Security zone unmarked on the floor.
.
Braid Station
1.Need to modernize Stn.
2.More elevators and escalators
3,.Safety & Security zone unmarked on the floor.
4.HandyDART Stop#58709 Does not have a shelter and/or bench.
5.. No Transit Information maps at the bus loop.
Lougheed Town Centre Station
1.Remodeled Station but need more improvements
Like the overhead connection between the platforms without going down to the lobby ( like in NW Stn)
2. More elevators and escalators
3. New connections to proposed new developments
4. Pedestrian/Cyclist overpass over North Road
5..HandyDART stop#58710 Is hidden and maybe should move ( maybe together with Taxi Zone?) No shelter or bench.
6. Unloading bus stop #60101 should be closer to the lobby of the Station
Map of the 3 platforms at the station. a similar map is not available for other stations on the TransLink web site.
Production-University Station
1. Need to modernize stn
2.More escalators and elevators
3. Safety & Security zone unmarked on the floor.
4. Could upgrade the east emergency exit to a regular entrance/exit.
5 Need unloading bus zone on Production Way in front of the Station where there is a 5 mins passenger zone.
6.Need a marked HandyDART passenger bus stop zone.
Lake City Station:
1. Need to modernize Stn
2. More escalators and elevators
3. Safety & Security zone unmarked on the floor.
4. Need a marked HandyDART passenger bus stop zone.
5. Bus route #134 bus stop is too far from the station it is north of the traffic signal at Lake City Way and Enterprise St. Use the parking lot by the station with the 5 mins passenger zone.
Sperling-Burnaby Lake Station
1. Need to modernize Stn
2. More elevators and escalators
3. New connections to proposed new developments to the east.
4. Safety& Security zone unmarked on the floor.
5. Need a bench at the HandyDART passenger bus stop zone.
Holdom Station
1.Need to modernize Stn
2. More escalators and elevators
3. Pedestrian/Cycle overpass across Lougheed.
4. Safety & Security zone unmarked on the floor.
Brentwood Town Centre Station
1. In 2019 a Federal Election announcement of modernizing this Station When?
2. Need to return Bus Loop that existed for many years, Burnaby even paid an extra $5000 for the old bus shelters.
3., Safety & Security zone unmarked on the floor.
4. Pedestrian/cycle overhead bridge to the North and to the south.
5. Need to have a marked HandyDART passenger bus stop zone.
Gilmore Station
1. Need to modernize Stn.
2. More escalators and Elevators
3. Pedestrian/Cycle overpass over Lougheed
4., Safety & Security zone unmarked on the floor.
5. A new entrance /exit on the east side of the Station should have been done with the new high rises.
6. Need to have a marked HandyDART passenger bus stop zone
Read this to and from work on the Millennium (and Evergreen) line. Chimes for each poor, mediocre and good station along the way. As usual, mostly agree with the rankings. Nice one.
Inlet Centre isn't under Lougheed, it's under Barnet Highway. Understandable mistake given... *gestures at the rest of the Millennium Line*.
Also -- Bridgeport was underrated for its regional connectivity. It's catchment area has to be one of the largest in the network, given it's the nearest station by travel time (driving and transit) from as far away as South Surrey, and the bus loop is very well integrated with the station.
Ah, the Gateway/Edmonds run that I did for years. Going to Edmonds was ok. Feed bus exit, level entry to train and escalator and disgorged at a level exit. Return trip? Dashing up, across and down the stairs to make the train. Disgorged to make the choice of running down all the stairs, into the pit, back up the stairs and across the street to catch the feeder bus. Or dashing down the platform to the emergency exit, which was on the same side of the street from the bus stop, and pounding down short sets of concrete stairs and then crossing through the mud in winter to the stop.
Columbia station was designed by someone with a grudge that day. More cardio running up and down stairs and then cramming onto a too small platform and then accidentally getting on the wrong train.
You have successfully managed to capture every single knee-jerk objection I would have had to this ranking ("But, the never-ending construction?"), and for that I applaud.
To be fair(ish) to Sapperton, they did convert the emergency exits at the south end of each platform into regular exits a few years back, so you can now access the industrial area adjacent without triggering an alarm (the winding and clanging metal stairs are a unique experience among all SkyTrain stations). I sneakily use the station to visit Sapperton Landing, entering from the entrance on Keary Street and exiting through one of the former emergency exits (your Compass card won't get dinged if you enter then exit the same station). The alternative would be a much longer walk down noisy, "it's not a highway, but people drive it like it is" Brunette Avenue to cross at the nearest intersection.
This made me want to get off at Marine Drive. As a Canada Line afficionado I am distressed at the poor ranking of most stops, but accept the robust scoring methodology. It is what it is except, as in the case of King Edward, it is all that it isn't.
An important factor for me: access to the airport.
Besides students who don't want to drive to/from school each day, I think people going to/coming from the airport are an important segment of users.
Once you are on the Canada Line, it's very convenient. But getting on to the Canada Line is a hassle if you are coming from the north east. Getting on the system at Lougheed station takes you all the way to Waterfront--a big detour.
Can anybody here recommend the best way to get from Lougheed station to the airport?
Alternately, is there a station on the Canada Line that has a convenient pick-up/drop-off area?
OK. Marine is a Nice station. Worthy of a tier 1 finish but but #1? Not in my books. It has two big problems. First, it was ripe to have 2nd story walkways over the busy Cambie Marine intersection. Instead it forces all the peds into the middle of that frackass.
Second, the bus loop. Coulda, shoulda been better integrated with Marine Drive. Ideally the Marine bus should go straight along Marine without a 5 minute trip through 4 lights & around the block. If you want to see good integration, check out Toronto's Lawrence & Yonge Station. The bus connection is under the intersection.
Marine station is nicely situated in the mall but lacks integration with the rest of the surroundings.
I feel like Moody should get a bit of a bump up since it connects to the West Coast Express, but then another bump down because the escalator to the train only goes down, which sucks when you need to go up.
However WC Express next stop west is Vancouver. Done.
Depends what time of day it is...
Re: Why does Lincoln exist? I believe it wasn’t part of the original Evergreen plans, but Coquitlam Centre wanted something closer than the neighbouring stations, so they pitched in a bunch of money to make it happen.
Came to reply this but then saw your comment. Also, Morguard has applied to rezone the bit of the parking lot nearest the station for (No surprise) condos.
Columbia oughta have a centre platform but nope! Gotta go up and down or down and up to change branches! And it doesn't get easier until Royal Oak, 4 additional stops down!
Templeton is named after the Vancouver Mayor at the time. (So is the Vancouver east end school, and street)
It was his idea to have an (extremely simple) airport on Sea Island. North east of it was the Liberal MP Arthur Liang and else, family FraSea Jersey cow farm on Sea Island (darker, sweeter milk)
Hmm.
Coquitlam Centre, or the part (separate owner) is now building next to the Station.
The LaFarge station is the end of the line, and the entrance to a very nice Lafarge Lake, great Xmas lights, and several festivals over the months.
Lafarge Lake is also a nice walk around the lake in nature in all seasons.
AND, across the street is Coquitlam's City Hall and the REAL MAYOR (Richard) STEWART will make you a cup of coffee, with the McELROY blend (very bitter)
and down the street is the Henderson Mall, and the great Asian food court on the southern second floor.
On Glen street area are several Iranian cafes. Brisk has wonderful Tiramisu and coffee on PineTree Way.
North of the Coquitlam Centre T&T there are mini-malls with odd shops and small ethnic cafes.
Here is a proper audit of the 16 stations in Burnaby and NW
There are 16 Stations on both the E & M Lines. The E line has two branches E1 to/from Surrey's King George Stn and E2 to/from Production-Univ. Stn.
Passengers accessing and using these Stations have various problems that should have been fixed years ago. Transit has to be seen as comfortable to regular users and visitors.
All available information should be posted on websites and at different stations. A video showing details could also be used.
Photos and written descriptions could also be used for wayfinding and to navigate, riders how to enter and exit the different stations.
Detail up to date maps should be posted at Stations entrances/exits , platforms and bus loops/bus stops adjacent to the Stations. The present standard maps have many omissions and need improvements. Some maps are marked at the bottom as "Not To Scale "
When Stations are closed overnight proper information about available overnight bus services should be posted ( see signage at Burrard Station). Minor changes to early am opening/closing of the Stations and. minor changes to early am bus services would result in 24/7 bus/train service to/from NW Stn, Edmonds Stn, Metrotown Stn, Lougheed Stn, Brentwood Stn, Gilmore Stn. These are the busiest Stations and should have proper 24/7 bus service by the N9 and N19 NightBus routes and regular bus routes that serves these stations.
Seating is only 4 or 3 or 2 seats per platform, need at least 6 to 10 seats per platform, more seats on outbound platforms as people wait for their BRANCH Train E1 or E2 on the Expo line to come for up to 10 to 15 mins at night .
.All bus stops around all Stations should be accessible, proper concrete/asphalt walkways/bikeways should be provided instead of gravel .Most of these stations do not conform to present building standards or the ADA standards of 1990.
Proper bike lockers and parkades should be provided at all stations, not just a few. Proper Bike Maps should be posted.
Public Washrooms should be provided where there are no public buildings/stores/restaurants. Proper signs should be installed at every Station/Bus Loop directing passengers to available washrooms.
Whenever possible all stations should be enclosed to stop snow/rain/wind from getting inside and for passengers' comfort. Architects do not use Transit in Metro Vancouver, which is why our stations are so bad compare to many other big cities.( In Surrey Station Tracks are covered )
Patterson Station;
1. Need to modernize Stn
2.. Proper up/down escalators are needed to enter/exit the eastbound platform.
3.. Canopy is too short above both platforms. Need proper weather protection.
4. Need a proper accessable entrance/exit from the west side of Patterson Avenue( Central Park ) Elevator and Escalator are needed.Cliambing 45 stairs is too much.
5. Route 129 turnaround could be Central Blvd, Wilson, Beresford. Instead of Central Blvd , Wilson, Kemp, Willingdon, Beresford. Another possibility is starting #129 at Metrotown Stn instead of Patterson Stn. thus providing two way bus service between them.
Metrotown Station ;
1..Pedestrian/cycle overpass to the South and to the North from platforms.It is way too long to go down to the 3 lobby exits plus too many pedestrians crossing Central Blvd, at least 5000 per day. The old overpass reminds us how bad the design is, the Mall redevelopment is at least 10 yrs away, and we have been waiting since 2017 for a proper new overpass.
2. Bus loop and bus stops around the station need to be improved for better connections.
3.. The N19 bus need to stop on Central Blvd. by having a two mins detour off Kingsway. Bus service to Downtown Vancouver should be 24/7, not 22/7
4. Proper overhead walkways to the 3 entrances and to the various bus stops.
Royal Oak Station
1.. Need to modernize Stn,
2.. Need a future west side entrance/exit
3.. Canopy is too short above both platforms
4. No bench/shelter at the HandyDART stop #58641.
Edmonds Station;
1. Need to modernize Stn. and the bus loop.
3. Overhead cover walkway
4. Canopy is too short above both platforms
5. No bench/shelter at HandyDART stop #52408
6. Need better connection, entrance/exit on the east side with the pedestrian overpass to the south. maybe a new exit/entrance?
7. Need N19 bus to detour for 3 mins. off Kingsway to provide 24/7 Bus service to/from Edmonds Station.
8. Proper early am Train service on Weekends ( Trains travel " Not In Service " )
22nd Street Station;
1.Need to modernize Stn.
2. Need. more escalators and elevators.
3. More cover walkways and better bus shelters.
4. Canopy to short above both platforms.
5. Need to convert the #100 bus to 24/7 service because of connections at Marine Dr. Station/YVR/Richmond. on most days it is already 21 hrs per day.
6. Proper early am Train service on weekends, ( Trains travel "Not In Service" )
New Westminister Stn;
1. Remodeled Station, but many signs are missing and need proper wayfinding Maybe extend the station over 8th St. to provide a new entrance/exit on from the east side of 8th St.
2. The bus stop for route 112 to far away and does not have a shelter and/or bench.
3. The canopy on the east side should be lengthened.
4.. No public washrooms at the Mall? Except at Tim Hortons. downstairs?
5.. Proper early am Train service on weekends to Surrey. (trains travel. "Not In Service")
Columbia Station
1.Need to modernize Stn. and rename station to "Columbia-4th Street Station" More escalators and elevators at all entrances and exits.
2. Proper early am Train Service on weekends. ( trains travel "Not In Service")
3. Investegate extending the station under 4th St. To the east for a new entrance/exit.
4.. Need to have a marked HandyDART passenger bus stop zone.
Sapperton. Station
1.Need to modernize Stn
2.More elevators and escalators possibly down to Brunette Ave. and/or pedestrian/cycle overpass to the eastern industrial area.
Passengers use the emergency exits to get to/from Brunette Ave. it is a long staircase.
3. Proper wayfinding signs to bus stops on East. Columbia and to HandyDART passenger bus stop zone
4. Safety & Security zone unmarked on the floor.
.
Braid Station
1.Need to modernize Stn.
2.More elevators and escalators
3,.Safety & Security zone unmarked on the floor.
4.HandyDART Stop#58709 Does not have a shelter and/or bench.
5.. No Transit Information maps at the bus loop.
Lougheed Town Centre Station
1.Remodeled Station but need more improvements
Like the overhead connection between the platforms without going down to the lobby ( like in NW Stn)
2. More elevators and escalators
3. New connections to proposed new developments
4. Pedestrian/Cyclist overpass over North Road
5..HandyDART stop#58710 Is hidden and maybe should move ( maybe together with Taxi Zone?) No shelter or bench.
6. Unloading bus stop #60101 should be closer to the lobby of the Station
7. Safety & Security zone unmarked on the floor.
https://new.translink.ca/-/media/translink/documents/schedules-and-maps/skytrain-accessible-entrance-maps/lougheed_platform_change_diagram.pdf
Map of the 3 platforms at the station. a similar map is not available for other stations on the TransLink web site.
Production-University Station
1. Need to modernize stn
2.More escalators and elevators
3. Safety & Security zone unmarked on the floor.
4. Could upgrade the east emergency exit to a regular entrance/exit.
5 Need unloading bus zone on Production Way in front of the Station where there is a 5 mins passenger zone.
6.Need a marked HandyDART passenger bus stop zone.
Lake City Station:
1. Need to modernize Stn
2. More escalators and elevators
3. Safety & Security zone unmarked on the floor.
4. Need a marked HandyDART passenger bus stop zone.
5. Bus route #134 bus stop is too far from the station it is north of the traffic signal at Lake City Way and Enterprise St. Use the parking lot by the station with the 5 mins passenger zone.
Sperling-Burnaby Lake Station
1. Need to modernize Stn
2. More elevators and escalators
3. New connections to proposed new developments to the east.
4. Safety& Security zone unmarked on the floor.
5. Need a bench at the HandyDART passenger bus stop zone.
Holdom Station
1.Need to modernize Stn
2. More escalators and elevators
3. Pedestrian/Cycle overpass across Lougheed.
4. Safety & Security zone unmarked on the floor.
Brentwood Town Centre Station
1. In 2019 a Federal Election announcement of modernizing this Station When?
2. Need to return Bus Loop that existed for many years, Burnaby even paid an extra $5000 for the old bus shelters.
3., Safety & Security zone unmarked on the floor.
4. Pedestrian/cycle overhead bridge to the North and to the south.
5. Need to have a marked HandyDART passenger bus stop zone.
Gilmore Station
1. Need to modernize Stn.
2. More escalators and Elevators
3. Pedestrian/Cycle overpass over Lougheed
4., Safety & Security zone unmarked on the floor.
5. A new entrance /exit on the east side of the Station should have been done with the new high rises.
6. Need to have a marked HandyDART passenger bus stop zone
Read this to and from work on the Millennium (and Evergreen) line. Chimes for each poor, mediocre and good station along the way. As usual, mostly agree with the rankings. Nice one.
Inlet Centre isn't under Lougheed, it's under Barnet Highway. Understandable mistake given... *gestures at the rest of the Millennium Line*.
Also -- Bridgeport was underrated for its regional connectivity. It's catchment area has to be one of the largest in the network, given it's the nearest station by travel time (driving and transit) from as far away as South Surrey, and the bus loop is very well integrated with the station.
Thanks for this amusing read.
Ridiculous. Everyone knows Braid doesn't exist.
Ah, the Gateway/Edmonds run that I did for years. Going to Edmonds was ok. Feed bus exit, level entry to train and escalator and disgorged at a level exit. Return trip? Dashing up, across and down the stairs to make the train. Disgorged to make the choice of running down all the stairs, into the pit, back up the stairs and across the street to catch the feeder bus. Or dashing down the platform to the emergency exit, which was on the same side of the street from the bus stop, and pounding down short sets of concrete stairs and then crossing through the mud in winter to the stop.
Columbia station was designed by someone with a grudge that day. More cardio running up and down stairs and then cramming onto a too small platform and then accidentally getting on the wrong train.
No one mentions the wonderful H-Mart food emporium on the west (under the tunnel) side of the Edmonds Station.
All local Koreans shop there.
You have successfully managed to capture every single knee-jerk objection I would have had to this ranking ("But, the never-ending construction?"), and for that I applaud.
To be fair(ish) to Sapperton, they did convert the emergency exits at the south end of each platform into regular exits a few years back, so you can now access the industrial area adjacent without triggering an alarm (the winding and clanging metal stairs are a unique experience among all SkyTrain stations). I sneakily use the station to visit Sapperton Landing, entering from the entrance on Keary Street and exiting through one of the former emergency exits (your Compass card won't get dinged if you enter then exit the same station). The alternative would be a much longer walk down noisy, "it's not a highway, but people drive it like it is" Brunette Avenue to cross at the nearest intersection.
This made me want to get off at Marine Drive. As a Canada Line afficionado I am distressed at the poor ranking of most stops, but accept the robust scoring methodology. It is what it is except, as in the case of King Edward, it is all that it isn't.
An important factor for me: access to the airport.
Besides students who don't want to drive to/from school each day, I think people going to/coming from the airport are an important segment of users.
Once you are on the Canada Line, it's very convenient. But getting on to the Canada Line is a hassle if you are coming from the north east. Getting on the system at Lougheed station takes you all the way to Waterfront--a big detour.
Can anybody here recommend the best way to get from Lougheed station to the airport?
Alternately, is there a station on the Canada Line that has a convenient pick-up/drop-off area?