Vancouver

Vancouver (pronounced {{IPA|}}) is a Canadian city in the province of British Columbia. It is the largest metropolitan centre in western Canada and third largest in the country. The city's population is 545,671 and that of the metropolitan area is 1,986,965 (2001 census). http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census01/products/standard/popdwell/Table-CMA-C.cfm?T=1&SR=1&CMA=933&S=3&O=D Vancouver is one of the cities of the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) and of the larger geographic region commonly known as the Lower Mainland of BC. The current mayor is Larry Campbell, Coalition of Progressive Electors (see List of Mayors of Vancouver). Vancouver will be the host city for the 2010 Winter Olympics, 2005 Grey Cup, the 2006 World Junior Hockey Championship, the 2006 United Nations World Urban Forum and the 2007 Memorial Cup.

Transportation

The Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) operates a regional rapid transit system, under the auspices of the Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority, known as TransLink, an organization which is responsible for all aspects of municipal transportation, including roads and ferries within the GVRD. There is frequent bus service throughout Greater Vancouver. A foot passenger and bicycle ferry service (known as SeaBus) crosses Burrard Inlet to North Vancouver, while a two-line automated metro system, the SkyTrain, the world's longest automated light rapid transit system, links downtown to the suburbs of Burnaby, New Westminster, and Surrey. Currently under construction is an underground/elevated SkyTrain line running from downtown Vancouver to Richmond and the Vancouver International Airport by 2010, (see Richmond-Airport-Vancouver Line) as well as an at-grade light rail transit to Coquitlam and Port Moody.

Related Topics:
Greater Vancouver Regional District - TransLink - Bus - SeaBus - North Vancouver - Metro - SkyTrain - Burnaby - New Westminster - Surrey - Richmond - Vancouver International Airport - Richmond-Airport-Vancouver Line - Coquitlam - Port Moody

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The West Coast Express, a commuter rail train serves Port Moody, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge, and Mission. These services have an integrated ticketing system, making public transport inexpensive and efficient. In addition, private companies operate leisure-oriented passenger ferry services, around False Creek. HarbourLynx provides passenger-only fast-ferry service from Vancouver harbour to Nanaimo harbour on Vancouver Island.

Related Topics:
West Coast Express - Port Coquitlam - Pitt Meadows - Maple Ridge - Mission - False Creek - HarbourLynx - Nanaimo

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Bus service operates throughout the region. Most buses are wheelchair accessible and a large number carry bike racks, able to carry two wheelchairs and bicycles respectively. Some buses which operate from overhead electrical trolley wires do not carry bicycle racks. It is worth noting that Vancouver is among the last of a few cities in North America which still have trolley buses operating on their streets. Certain diesel commuter buses which travel to the suburbs have bicycle racks, wheelchair lifts, and comfortable high back Greyhound-style seats. Frequency in Greater Vancouver ranges from every few minutes within the City of Vancouver to two to three trips a day to Maple Ridge and Aldergrove.

Related Topics:
Trolley buses - Maple Ridge

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

There is an extensive network of bike paths that provide east/west and north/south routes from one end of the city to the other. Each of the major bike paths has signal control to permit cyclists easy crossing of major arterial roads. Some of the bike paths are on streets that have extensive traffic calming measures such as traffic circles. Neighbourhoods are encouraged to plant and care for the circles and boulevards and add public art along bike routes. The Stanley Park seawall is also a popular recreational bicycle route.

Related Topics:
Traffic calming - Neighbourhoods - Public art - Stanley Park

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Municipal bylaws and geography have protected Vancouver from the spread of urban freeways, and the only freeway within city limits is Highway 1, which passes through the eastern edge of the city. All other limited-access routes entering the city (Highway 99, Knight Street, Grant MacConachie Way, the Lions' Gate Bridge, etc.) promptly cease being freeways once they enter Vancouver's city limits.

Related Topics:
Freeways - Highway 1 - Highway 99 - Lions' Gate Bridge

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Vancouver is served by Vancouver International Airport, located on Sea Island in the City of Richmond, immediately south of Vancouver. The airport (YVR) the second busiest in nation and one of the busiest international airports on the West Coast of North America. Plans are currently underway to build a third SkyTrain rail line connecting Vancouver to Richmond and the airport (with future extension possibly to Tsawwassen) (the Richmond-Airport-Vancouver Line, or RAV) in time for the 2010 Winter Olympics, which are scheduled to take place in Vancouver. A heliport and seaplane dock on Burrard Inlet link downtown directly to Victoria and YVR. Vancouver is also served by two B.C. Ferry terminals, one to the northwest near the village of Horseshoe Bay, and one to the south, at Tsawwassen (the flagship terminal), linking the mainland to Vancouver Island and other nearby islands.

Related Topics:
Vancouver International Airport - Richmond - Richmond-Airport-Vancouver Line - RAV - Heliport - Seaplane - Victoria - B.C. Ferry - Horseshoe Bay - Tsawwassen

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~