Transit ridership averages 1.6 million people per day during the Olympics Tanya Colledge Staff reporter record number of people used transit during A« first week of the Vancouver 2010 Winter ames, seeing ridership climbing to an average more than 1.6 million people per day—far beyond what transit officials had predicted going into the Games. The record-smashing numbers, says TransLink CEO Ian Jarvis in a news release, were “a testament to a solid plan that built in the flexibility to respond and the great execution of our planners, transit operators, mechanics, customer service personnel and transit hosts.” Both Expo Line and Millennium Lines have been running trains at rush-hour service level throughout the days in order to keep up with the high volume of travelers, sometimes using every train available to meet the demands. The West Coast Express also added trains to their mid-day and evening schedules, additional city buses have been brought it when needed, and the SeaBus has been using all three vessels and operating 14 hours a day to keep waits to a minimum. “Much of the credit for making this work has to go to the people of Metro Vancouver,” Jarvis said. “They’re the ones who’ve answered the bell to reduce motor vehicle traffic in the downtown core by 30 per cent during Games time and have sought out public transportation options,” including a 54 per cent increase in ridership on the Expo Line alone. “What’s more, reports from our field staff show that the public have shown legendary Canadian politeness and hospitality to our visitors from around the world, to do our region proud,” Jarvis said. TransLink faced some criticism however, from people who claimed to be “stranded” downtown after the SkyTrain or SeaBuses stopped running. TransLink responded to these complaints by adding more signage outside stations to direct late night passengers to the nearest Night Bus, which runs all night and mirrors the SkyTrain route. Overall, everyone who wanted to get somewhere got there during the two busiest weeks in Vancouver’s history. With 250,000 more people using transit than usual, the city has been exposed to what the transit system can handle and, perhaps, what could be possible in the future. Douglas College Wrap-Up By Kristina Mameli Fatal crash claims the life of Douglas student Two are dead and three others are critically injured after a tragic accident at Willingdon and Still Creek Avenue shortly after 1 a.m. Saturday. Douglas College student, 18-year-old Ferdie Carrion has been identified as one of the victims. Seven people were in the five-seat vehicle coming from Olympic celebrations when the vehicle lost control, hit a streetlight and rolled. The driver, 19-year-old Baldip Chandi, has been charged with 10 criminal charges including three counts of impaired driving causing bodily harm, two of impaired driving causing death, and five of dangerous driving. Police say speed and alcohol may have played a role in the tragedy. Therapeutic Recreation Paralympic Event at Douglas From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the New Westminster Campus Wednesday (March 3), faculty and students from the Therapeutic Recreation program have come together to create an opportunity for Douglas students to experience the Paralympic Games. The day includes two screenings of Sled Head at 10:10am and 12:10pm along with a presentation by past and future Paralympians. The concourse will house athlete profiles, a meet and greet with the aforementioned and information on how one can become involved in Paralympic sports. The gym will also play host to Paralympic sports such as curling and wheelchair basketball. CFS talks debt to Douglas students Members of the Canadian Federation of Students B.C. will be on hand at the David Lam Campus Monday March 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and at the New Westminster Campus Tuesday March 9 from 9 to 4 p.m. to discuss student debt with the Douglas community. Find out about student debt in B.C. and calculate your personal student debt over free Timbits and coffee, sign a petition and see what you can do to make a difference.