Canada Line's 1st big test gets mixed grade

Metro Vancouver's addition to the SkyTrain rapid-transit system, the Canada Line, gotmixed reviews from commuters on the first day after the Labour Day weekend.

Commuters from Richmond and other points south of the Fraser River who were used to riding a single bus into Vancouver were routed to the Canada Line starting Tuesday.

Some were looking forward to the change because the old bus routes didn't work well with their work schedule.

"I have been waiting for a long time for something like this that's clean and green," said onecommuter.

Others were less keen. "It used to be one direct bus, but now I have to transfer and stand and take slightly longer," said another.

The Canada Line's Bridgeport station became a busy hub in Richmond.

Morning trains arriving from Richmond were full, some with standing room only. But those who waited a couple of minutes later found the next train from the airport had plenty of room.

Ken Hardie, spokesman for Translink, Metro Vancouver's transportation authority, said commuters should start figuring this out.

"Over the next few days, we can see some strategies developing, especially at Bridgeport, where people will say, 'Ah, this one's a little full, so the next one will be OK," said Hardie.

Atone Canada Line station, long lineups were not the fault of full trains, but passengers who stopped at the single entrance to the platform instead of spreading out along the platform to allow people to quickly board the train at its various doors.

Fifteen thousand commuters rode the Canada Line on Tuesday morning, compared with 9,000 for the same 6 to 9 a.m. period last Tuesday.

The Canada Line cost a reported $1.9 billion and took about four years to build.