The 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Transportation Team (OPTT) released the second phase of its Games-time integrated transportation plan today providing residents and businesses with the most up-to-date information available on how to start planning now for their day-to-day travel needs during the 2010 Winter Games. The plan requires reducing vehicle traffic by at least 30 per cent in downtown Vancouver, the Lions Gate and Iron Workers’ Memorial (Second Narrows) bridges, the Sea to Sky Highway, and in Whistler.
This phase of the integrated transportation plan, which builds on information released in March and rolled out in venue communities on an ongoing basis, includes updated information on peak hours, street and road closures, the Sea to Sky Highway checkpoint, transportation plans for the Paralympic Winter Games, Olympic bus network, and advice on the movement of goods and services for businesses. Please see attached backgrounder for details.
The plan is based on the need to transport athletes, officials and all Games participants safely, reliably and efficiently throughout the Host Region, while also taking into consideration the transportation needs of local residents, businesses and visitors.
“Our message to every resident and business owner is that we need everyone to pull together to make this a success by doing their part,” said Terry Wright, VANOC’s executive vice president of services and Games operations, on behalf of OPTT. “We know the public wants this to work and wants our guests from around the world to have a great experience here and see the region in a positive light.
“This means we need everyone to think of ways to reduce vehicle traffic into downtown Vancouver, on the Lions Gate and Iron Workers’ Memorial (Second Narrows) bridges, on the Sea to Sky Highway, and in Whistler by at least 30 per cent. Also, keep in mind the easiest way to get around will be public transit, which will increase greatly with more buses and trains and enhanced hours of service, as well other sustainable modes such as walking and cycling.”
“The best way to get where you need to go and avoid delays is by planning ahead, avoiding peak travel times and knowing your transportation options now before you step out the door in February 2010,” he added.
Although use of public transit and other sustainable modes of transportation are key to having a successful transportation experience, there will be peak travel times no matter what mode you choose. If trips must be made, travellers are encouraged to avoid peak travel times from February 12 to March 1.
• In Vancouver, this means, whenever possible, travelling into the downtown area before 7:00 am or after 9:00 am and leaving by 2:00 pm; or, for those who want to stay later and enjoy the fun, leaving after 7:00 pm.
• In the Sea to Sky corridor, this means travelling northbound before 6:00 am or after 6:00 pm on the Sea to Sky Highway
To help residents and businesses plan ahead, the OPTT today launched www.travelsmart2010.ca, a website portal with the most up-to-date transportation information available now and during the Games. The portal directs users to the appropriate website containing the information they are seeking, such as the City of Vancouver, Resort Municipality of Whistler, TransLink, BC Transit, or the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC).
Fine-tuning of the transportation plan will continue up until Games time. Over the last year, VANOC has contacted over 900 businesses, residents, associations and organizations, schools and community associations throughout Metro Vancouver and the Sea to Sky region to share Games-time transportation plans and answer questions from the public. In addition to its stakeholder outreach, this fall the Organizing Committee, together with its partners, will host another series of Game Plan open houses in communities near Games’ venues.
(Source: VANOC)
