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Gondola to SFU?
Interesting idea....I don't see it happening though.How about taking a gondola up to Simon Fraser University?
The Simon Fraser Community Trust is looking at whether a high-speed gondola could replace diesel buses on Burnaby Mountain.
The alpine ride would carry 17 to 24 people from the SkyTrain station at Production Way to the town square at SFU in six minutes, instead of the current 14-minute bus ride.
The idea is the brainchild of Gordon Harris, CEO of SFU's Community Trust, based on the Peak-2-Peak gondola in Whistler.
"At the moment, it is still just an idea," Harris told The Province.
"Could it work? Could you move people up and down the hill? It's worth exploring further.
"You have diesel-powered buses, labouring to come up a fairly steep hill every day," said Harris, who's planning the sustainable UniverCity development.
"When it's snowy or icy, often service is disrupted."
The gondolas could take 2,000 people an hour in each direction. Currently, 19,000 people travel to Burnaby Mountain each day, to SFU and the UniverCity community, with that number expected to double by 2030.
Harris envisages five towers, with a maximum height of 60 metres.
The $68-million price tag is steep, but the service would pay for itself, cut greenhouse-gas emissions by 1,870 tonnes each year and could be launched in the fall of 2011.
"I think it's a greenhouse-gas-emission reduction story. It's absolutely a story consistent with our goal to be a model sustainable community," he said.
"What better way to do that than this? The views would be fantastic.
"Imagine looking out over the San Juan Islands and Georgia Strait, seeing Rainier to the south and east, west, downtown Vancouver and east out to the Fraser Valley. Pretty spectacular."
Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan said it's a good idea, but he's not on the bandwagon quite yet.
"It's an idea that is being floated," said Corrigan.
"What are the trade-offs? What will we need to do within the conservation area to accommodate the gondola? How would it affect the ecology? Doesn't this in the long run benefit the environment? Is the trade-off worth it, if we are reducing the amount of diesel?"
Burquitlam MLA Harry Bloy has briefed B.C. Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon on the gondola plan.
Bloy said all three levels of government have to be on board.
"For the long term, it's best for the environment," said Bloy. "It's sustainable."
Bloy said he's had numerous positive e-mails from people.
"I have not had one negative e-mail," he added.
TransLink spokesman Ken Hardie said the transit authority is interested, but no staff or funding has been assigned to investigate the project.
"It's not part of our strategic plan at this point," he said. "It's a concept that is worth looking at. It's a fascinating idea that merits a look."
Comments
http://www.bclocalnews.com/greater_vancouver/burnabynewsleader/news/39339129.html
Interesting idea.. shortest distance from point A to B is a line right? =P But like Student said, very costly and gimmicky. You know what I think they should do? Repave the road.
Both together would be good though, not that ill even be at SFU by the time this comes to fruition, if it even does.
so... the students who are in wheels chairs are gonna fast rope too huh? and... the fact that you are not attached to the rope via a descender makes it a tad bit dangerous dont you think? also fast roping is a technique best utilized for people who are physically fit and carrying a light to medium load. it can be done with a heavy load but the load should be balanced. also the gloves tend to wear pretty fast... so are students gonna pay for the gloves or will the school provide them? also how will students get back onto the helicopter without it landing?
its a fairly steep road. with no side barrier to keep you from going off the cliff into trees or houses?
when did you mention them?
Why don't think do THIS!?
http://www.talksfu.ca/showthread.php?t=3345&highlight=potato