Why does West Van operate its own bus system? And did the NDP ever force them to paint their buses orange?
Question: Why does West Vancouver still operate its own bus system? Is the “Blue Bus” moniker a reason why, through various administrations, the entire fleet has featured blue as part of its “look”? Does anyone remember back when the NDP was first in power they changed the bus colours to NDP orange? Did West Van’s buses continue to be blue through this period? Thanks!
Answer: City Plumber is wondering if this question was planted in order for the Plumber to discover that it is … THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE WEST VAN BLUE BUS THIS YEAR. And to run this picture.
But perhaps City Plumber has become too jaded by writing about contemporary politics and she should just answer the question.
According to both TransLink spokesthingies and West Vancouver’s transit manager, Gareth Rowlands, West Van’s Blue Bus has been a contractor for first B.C. Transit and then TransLink since 1981, as it was added into existing regional systems.
It’s not clear to me why the Blue Bus system was not simply absorbed, except that it appears West Van pays the drivers, who belong to a different union and have a separate agreement from the drivers in Coast Mountain bus. TransLink covers the cost of the buses, the yard, and the operating costs (gas, repairs, etc.).
I’d also suggest that it’s attractive politically, as it reinforces the image of West Van as a place that’s a little special, set apart, and with superior municipal services. (It’s also one of the few municipalities among the region’s 21 with its own police force, along with Delta and New West.)
The Blue Bus has 11 routes, 52 buses (including the community shuttle), 87 permanent drivers, and operates 21.5 hours per day.
And it has never been any colour but blue, they swear up and down. If anyone has any information to the contrary, please inform me immediately.
14 responses so far ↓
1 Duncan // Sep 6, 2012 at 11:57 am
Interestingly, from conversations with bus drivers, it’s also a much nicer place to work than Coast Mountain Bus.
I gather they get paid slightly less, but there’s less stress (probably due to fewer difficult areas they pass through), and much more cordial relations with management (e.g. I heard that Coast Mountain is known to “throw employees under the bus” over minor transgressions of strictly interpreted policy, while West Van has a much more collaborative labour/management relationship.
In my experience, it makes for much more pleasant drivers, on average.
2 Silly Season // Sep 6, 2012 at 4:30 pm
I think I’ve ridden that particular bus…may need fleet upgrade.
3 Raingurl // Sep 7, 2012 at 9:48 am
I love the picture. Thanks for sharing. I think they stay separate from that “other company” because why would anyone want to join that “other company” in the first place. I was really dissapointed when BC Transit changed to that “other company” gawd……..
4 Michael Geller // Sep 7, 2012 at 11:20 am
Speaking of the Blue Bus…as I mentioned on this week’s Civic Affairs program, maybe it’s time to consider a variety of other public and private transportation options that tie into, and complement the Translink system.
For example, if there was a public/private shuttle in my neighbourhood connecting to SkyTrain, etc. I’d use it. And I’m sure I’m not alone.
5 Trish French // Sep 9, 2012 at 4:33 pm
When I grow up I want to be a “spokesthingy”!
6 Raymond Fung // Sep 10, 2012 at 11:31 am
So just to add to Gareth’s info. West Van operates its own bus system probably because we came first! That is, before BC Electric, BC Transit, and TransLink. Taking over from the two brothers that operated a bus system was one of the first acts of the municipality when it was formed in 1912.
We act as a sub-Contractor to Coast Mountain Bus Company, much in the same way as community shuttle services are contracted out.
Ray Fung, Director, Engineering & Transportation, District of West Vancouver
7 Frances Bula // Sep 10, 2012 at 2:00 pm
@Ray. Thanks for this additional info!
8 zaelia // Sep 17, 2012 at 9:46 am
Curious to know why, when I was a child, the adults around me would blow a raspberry when a Blue Bus went by or was mentioned. I suspect they knew non-Blue Bus drivers and that there were some bad feelings between the two.
Is there a source for the historical photo? I’ve looked in various places (WV Archives, Van Archives, VPL Hist. Photos, BC Archives, Google Images) without success. Thanks.
9 Dan // Sep 20, 2012 at 9:09 am
@Geller
Do you really think a private company would operate such a private shuttle? I think coast mountain operates on most profitable routes already, along with many unprofitable ones.
While a vital system for a city to have, I can’t think of many or any cities that profit from their transit systems. They exist as a necessary social good.
10 Drew Snider, TransLink spokesthingy // Sep 21, 2012 at 6:36 am
@zaelia The photo of the West Van bus most recently came from my files, and I think it was Gareth who sent it to me. Having grown up in West Van and spent my formative years riding the Fageol Twin Coaches, GMCs and the “new look” GMCs, I’ve become something of a transit geek (pause while my wife says, “SOMETHING ???”) when it comes to vintage West Van bus photos. I could bore for Canada on the once-an-hour-or-you’re-outta-luck service to our place of the number of times dad and I had to cut out early from baseball games at Capilano Stadium so we could get the last Horseshoe Bay bus — which left downtown at 10:45!
11 Lee L. // Nov 5, 2012 at 5:13 pm
Belatedly chiming in, it’s an interesting question Frances, and one which might be twisted around to ask why aren’t all municipalities acting this way?
The more well heeled residents of Bowen, for example, have explored and may favour running their own ferry that runs when they want it and they may be willing to pay the price.
I think of MS Coho that has run the Seattle – Victoria route for a long time and seem to be able to turn a profit.
Maybe getting the buses out of the hands of Translink would actually make things better?
12 Lee L. // Nov 5, 2012 at 5:13 pm
Belatedly chiming in, it’s an interesting question Frances, and one which might be twisted around to ask why aren’t all municipalities acting this way?
The more well heeled residents of Bowen, for example, have explored and may favour running their own ferry that runs when they want it and they may be willing to pay the price.
I think of MS Coho that has run the Seattle – Victoria route for a long time and seem to be able to turn a profit.
Maybe getting the buses out of the hands of Translink would actually make things better?
13 Frances Bula // Nov 5, 2012 at 9:42 pm
@Lee L. Although the Blue Bus is in the hands of TransLink somewhat.
14 Don Slavens // Jan 5, 2014 at 4:53 pm
The Provincial Government should have never given the GVRD the operating authority for the transit system.
Just look all the bus routes that have disappeared from the days it was operated by BC Hydro. Particularly the bus route through the Fraser valley to Hope and the cross water route to Vancouver Island. This should have never been sold off.
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