Tag Archive for 'Terry Wright'

2010 Olympic Transportation plan a success – News Releases : Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics

Published on May 7, 2010 in Olympics. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Citizens urged to keep travelling smart as changes to the road network remain for Paralympic Winter Games

Vancouver, BC – The Olympic and Paralympic Transportation Team (OPTT) today thanked the people of Metro Vancouver and the Sea to Sky regions for making the 2010 integrated Olympic transportation plan a success, while urging people to keep traveling smart in view of changes to the transportation network for the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.

Transportation planners – charged with one of the most complex and critical elements of the Games – set the lofty goal of achieving at least a 30 per cent reduction in vehicle use during the Olympic Games, in order to ensure athletes, officials and others could get to their events on time and local residents could move efficiently.

Throughout the Games, Metro Vancouver and the Sea to Sky corridor saw record numbers of people walking, cycling and taking transit, and an overall reduction in vehicle use.  In particular, vehicle use was reduced by an average of more than 35 per cent each day. In addition, TransLink, the public transit operator in Metro Vancouver, moved an average of 1.5 million people per day during the Games, an increase from 730,000 trips per day, while BC Transit, the public transportation provider in the Sea to Sky corridor, saw five times the ridership on the public transit system over normal winter levels.

Paralympic transportation plans

Venues

Building on this success, the OPTT is reminding the public to continue to ‘travel smart’ during the Paralympic Winter Games. While most road networks have been returned to normal, some closures and parking restrictions remain around Paralympic venues during the transition to and throughout the Paralympic Games. These areas include UBC Thunderbird Arena, the Vancouver Paralympic Centre, Paralympic Village Vancouver and BC Place (for March 12 Opening Ceremony). In Whistler, these areas include Whistler Creekside and Paralympic Village Whistler. The public is asked to continue to use sustainable modes of transportation throughout the month of March 2010 and beyond. Details of the 2010 integrated Paralympic transportation plan are outlined in the attached fact sheet. 

“We were very happy with the transportation choices that everyone made during the Olympic Winter Games,,” Penny Ballem, city manager of the City of Vancouver said on behalf of the OPTT. “With fewer changes to the road network during the Paralympic Winter Games, we encourage residents, commuters and visitors to continue to leave their vehicles behind and walk, cycle or take transit to get around during this period.”

“It’s important we ensure our Paralympic athletes and other guests have a smooth, positive experience here during the Games,” added Terry Wright, VANOC executive vice president, services and Games operations. “With road closures, parking restrictions and increased volumes around Paralympic Games venues, traveling smart is still the way to go and everyone should know before they go.”

Paralympic Torch relay and Opening Ceremony March 11 and 12

The public is also reminded the Paralympic torch relay will be underway in downtown Vancouver from 2 pm on March 11 to 2 pm on March 12. The current proposed route is a loop that will involve areas along Robson, Granville and Smithe Streets. Traffic will continue to flow on most major streets, however, there will be road closures and restrictions to vehicle traffic along a few blocks of Robson, Smithe, Granville and Bute. Other cross streets will remain open with rolling intermittent road closures as the torch runs past. Commuters are advised to find alternate routes and modes of transportation around the Robson Square area for March 11 and 12.

In addition, temporary road closures and pedestrian corridors will be in place in downtown Vancouver on March 12 to support the Paralympic Winter Games Opening Ceremony at BC Place. Cambie Bridge, as well as portions of Beatty Street and Robson Street will be closed for most of the day on March 12, so driving will be challenging. Up to date information will be made available on the Host City website through travelsmart2010.ca,so that everyone can plan ahead.

Other transportation highlights

  • Public transportation service will reflect the anticipated number of transit riders during the Paralympic Games, with event level service planned to serve Paralympic venues in Vancouver, and the Games Express service continuing in Whistler.
  • Paralympic Games event tickets include access to public transit for the day of the event.
  • Olympic lanes removed in Vancouver as of March 2, though a temporary Paralympic lane will remain on Highway 99 in Whistler from Function Junction to the Village.
  • Sea to Sky traffic checkpoint removed as of March 1; no permits required to travel north of Squamish.
  • Lane demarcations on Highway 99 will be removed between March 1 and 5.

For the most up-to-date transportation information, visit www.travelsmart2010.ca.

About the OPTT

Members of the Olympic and Paralympic Transportation Team (OPTT) are VANOC, the City of Vancouver, Resort Municipality of Whistler, TransLink, BC Transit, the provincial Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, and the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit. Planning is also supported by other partners, including Transport Canada and the municipalities of Richmond and West Vancouver.

Georgia and Dunsmuir Viaducts among road closures in downtown Vancouver this week – News Releases : Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics

Published on February 3, 2010 in Olympics. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

This week’s challenge: reduce downtown vehicle traffic by 25 per cent

Vancouver, BC ? Two major downtown Vancouver routes will close on Friday as the final phases of the city’s transportation management plan are implemented to respond to traffic demands for the official opening of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games on February 12.

With nine days to go, Games-related traffic is continuing to grow in Vancouver as the world starts to arrive for the Games, including tens of thousands of media, athletes and officials. To carry them to and from their destinations, hundreds of motorcoaches and fleet vehicles are now in operation at the Main Media Centre along the city’s waterfront and at Games venues.

To help reduce Games-time vehicle traffic in the city by at least 30 per cent, commuters, delivery drivers and residents are invited to take part in this week’s TravelSmart 2010 Challenge. The challenge helps prepare everyone ahead of time to manage road closures and significantly reduced on-street public parking.

Significant changes in effect this week:

  • Olympic lanes and parking/stopping restrictions begin in Vancouver on Thursday, February 4

    ? coinciding with the beginning of athlete training at the venues

  • Georgia and Dunsmuir Viaducts

    close on Friday, February 5

  • Temporary truck routes now in effect in Vancouver
  • Deliveries permitted in downtown 24 hours a day, however the preferred hours are midnight to 6:00 am

  • Midlothian Avenue

    now closed  (near the Vancouver Olympic/Paralympic Centre at Hillcrest Park)

This Friday’s vehicle traffic reduction goal is 25 per cent. The overall vehicle traffic reduction goal is at least a 30 per cent reduction by February 12 and throughout the Games

In Whistler, day lots are no longer available for public parking and vehicle permits will be required to travel north of Squamish as of February 11 between 6:00 am and 6:00 pm. Travellers are encouraged to book with a commercial motorcoach to get to Whistler. A list of carriers is available at www.travelsmart2010.ca. Service enhancements have also been put in place for Squamish residents. Residency tests will be applied for access to these enhancements.

The TravelSmart 2010 Challenge promotes incremental reductions in vehicle traffic as phased-in road closures go into effect in Vancouver on each Friday leading up to the Olympic Opening Ceremony.

How are we doing?

“We’re moving in the right direction every week with this challenge and we need even more people to leave their vehicles at home and `know before they go.’ We only have nine days left before the Games are here. To ensure travel success next week and for the rest of the month, we need people to step up and plan ahead so they won’t be disappointed or surprised,” said Terry Wright, executive vice president, services and Games operations for the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC).

“There are lots of travel options for commuters and residents and there’s never been more transit service operating for extended hours. If we all work together, Vancouver and the world will have a great Games experience here in 2010,” added Wright. “This may mean taking public transit or cycling to the office. Teleworking or changing work hours to avoid the Games-time peak travel times into downtown Vancouver between 7:00 am to 9:00 am and 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm are also great options.”

To track the progress of the challenge in reducing vehicle traffic on an incremental basis, the City of Vancouver is conducting data monitoring on behalf of the Olympic and Paralympic Transportation Team (OPTT) each Friday and reporting on the vehicle traffic reduction results publicly the following week.

Last Friday, the overall number of drivers travelling in the downtown was four per cent below normal levels (compared to one per cent on January 22 and four per cent on January 15).

A high number of commuters took public transit or sustainable modes of transportation. There were 122,000 trips on the Canada Line ? one of the highest ridership numbers since the new rapid transit line opened last August. There were also 20,000 trips on the SeaBus indicating continued high transit usage in Vancouver. On the same day, 2,900 cyclists rode into downtown Vancouver across the Burrard, Cambie and Granville bridges.

Commuters are also heeding the TravelSmart message and are avoiding peak travel times into downtown Vancouver between 7:00 am and 9:00 am, as well 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

To date, more than 250 companies have signed up and shared their Games-time travel plans for their employees and deliveries with the OPTT. These organizations will be recognized in full-page ads in The Vancouver Sun and The Province on February 6 and 7.

These organizations were also entered in weekly draws leading up to the Games for a chance to win 50 tickets to nightly Victory Ceremonies at BC Place, where Olympic athletes will stand on the podium to receive their medals and top Canadian entertainment will rock the crowd. This week’s companies that won sets of 50 tickets each are: SAP Canada and Mindfield Group. For more information on how to build a Games-time travel plan, contact: travelsmart@translink.ca.

Safety Reminder for Pedestrians and Drivers:

In light of recent road closures for vehicle traffic as part of the Games integrated transportation plan, the OPTT is reminding the general public to take extra care in their travels, no matter what mode of transport they choose.

Vehicles and cyclists are reminded to slow down, be prepared for new traffic measures and drive with extra care given changes to the road network and the increase in foot traffic in the downtown core.

Closed roadways may still be used by venue traffic therefore pedestrians should stay off roadways and remain on safe, dedicated pedestrian routes such as sidewalks, seaside paths and specially designated Games-time pedestrian corridors.

Important reminders on how to TravelSmart:

For the most up-to-date transportation information available now and during the Games, visit www.travelsmart2010.ca. The website portal directs users to the appropriate OPTT member website for the information they are seeking, such as the City of Vancouver, Resort Municipality of Whistler, TransLink, BC Transit, or VANOC.

About the OPTT

Members of the Olympic and Paralympic Transportation Team (OPTT) are VANOC, the City of Vancouver, Resort Municipality of Whistler, TransLink, BC Transit, the provincial Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, and the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit. Planning is also supported by other partners, including Transport Canada and the municipalities of Richmond and West Vancouver.

About VANOC

VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. Visit www.vancouver2010.com.

Are you prepared to travel during the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver? Join this week’s TravelSmart 2010 Challenge and test your travel plans ahead of time – News Releases : Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics

Published on January 21, 2010 in Olympics. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

This week’s challenge: reducing vehicle traffic by 15 per cent in downtown core

Vancouver, BC ? The Olympic and Paralympic Transportation Team (OPTT) would like to issue a big thank you to all the commuters, delivery drivers and residents in downtown Vancouver who are stepping up and taking part in the weekly TravelSmart 2010 Challenge.

By reading up on their travel options at www.travelsmart2010.ca and putting them into action now, Vancouver will be ready to welcome the world and ensure a great experience for all during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Some are taking public transit or cycling to the office. Others are teleworking or changing their work hours to avoid the Games-time peak travel times into downtown Vancouver between 7:00 am to 9:00 am and 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm. 

As the third week of the challenge takes place on Friday, January 22, there is more work to be done to encourage drivers who frequently travel by car in downtown Vancouver to start practising their Games-time travel plans now.

The TravelSmart 2010 Challenge, which promotes incremental reductions in vehicle traffic as phased-in road closures go into place, is taking place in the city on each Friday leading up to the Opening Ceremony on February 12. By trying out your Games-time travel plans now, and planning ahead to “know before you go,” Vancouver will be well prepared to manage road closures, significantly reduced on-street public parking and the tens of thousands more people in the city associated with one of the world’s largest sporting events.

  • Last week’s road closure: Quebec Street between 2nd Avenue and Terminal (as of January 15)
  • This week’s road closure: Renfrew Street between McGill and Dundas (as of January 24)
  • This Friday’s vehicle traffic reduction goal: 15 per cent
  • Overall vehicle traffic reduction goal: At least a 30 per cent reduction by February 12 and throughout the Games

“We can make transportation one of the greatest successes of our Games if everyone pulls together and plays their own part by travelling smart in downtown Vancouver,” Terry Wright, executive vice president, services and Games operations for the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC), said on behalf of the OPTT.

To track the progress of the challenge in reducing vehicle traffic on an incremental basis, the City of Vancouver is conducting data monitoring on behalf of the OPTT each Friday and reporting on the vehicle traffic reduction results publicly the following week. 

Last Friday, at the end of the first full week of data collection for the TravelSmart 2010 Challenge, four per cent of drivers left their vehicles at home when driving into downtown Vancouver. There were 110,000 trips on the Canada Line and 18,000 trips on the SeaBus, all contributing to a reduction in vehicle traffic.

“Already, we can see that people are starting to make new travel plans, leaving their vehicle at home and choosing sustainable modes of transportation,” said Penny Ballem, city manager, City of Vancouver. “But, as our goal this week is a 15 per cent reduction, we need more to join in the TravelSmart 2010 Challenge, and to test their travel plans now before the Winter Games begin. It’s all about planning ahead to avoid surprises and make the Games a success.”

To date, more than 200 companies have also signed up and shared their Games-time travel plans for their employees and deliveries with the OPTT. For more information on how to build a Games-time travel plan, contact travelsmart@translink.ca. 

All companies who commit to reducing vehicle traffic and share their travel plan will be entered in a weekly draw leading up to the Games for a chance to win 50 tickets to nightly Victory Ceremonies at BC Place, where Olympic athletes will stand on the podium to receive their medals and top Canadian entertainment will rock the crowd. Thirteen companies will win sets of 50 tickets each. The tickets are a great way to reward employees, business associates and customers for changing their travel behaviour to help make the Games a success.

Already, Certified General Accountants Association of BC, Goldcorp Inc., S.U.C.C.E.S.S, and the Vancouver Foundation have won tickets through the draw.

For the most up-to-date transportation information available now and during the Games, visit www.travelsmart2010.ca. The website portal directs users to the appropriate OPTT member website for the information they are seeking, such as the City of Vancouver, Resort Municipality of Whistler, TransLink, BC Transit, or VANOC. 

About the OPTT
Members of the Olympic and Paralympic Transportation Team (OPTT) are VANOC, the City of Vancouver, Resort Municipality of Whistler, TransLink, BC Transit, the provincial Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, and the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit. Planning is also supported by other partners, including Transport Canada and the municipalities of Richmond and West Vancouver.

About VANOC
VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. Visit www.vancouver2010.com.

Press Contact
If you are a member of the media, please contact mediarelations@vancouver2010.com

For all other inquiries, please contact info@vancouver2010.com

TravelSmart 2010 Update: Start planning to leave vehicles behind for 2010 Winter Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies – News Releases : Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics

Published on January 12, 2010 in Olympics. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Vancouver, BC — The Olympic and Paralympic Transportation Team (OPTT) released the third and final phase of its 2010 Winter Games integrated transportation plan today, outlining temporary street closures planned in the City of Vancouver on February 10, 12 and 28 and March 12. The closures are necessary to help ensure successful ceremonies.

The Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games on February 12 and 28 and the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympic Winter Games on March 12 will create unique transportation challenges when an estimated 100,000 spectators, visitors, reporters and TV crews, volunteers, and performers fill the City of Vancouver’s downtown core.

A dress rehearsal and transportation dry run of the Olympic Opening Ceremony logistics involving thousands of performers, stage and production crews, as well as volunteers, will be held on February 10.

Temporary street closures

To support the movement of athletes, performers, media, and spectators on these dates, the Cambie Street Bridge and Beatty Street (between Smithe and Georgia) will temporarily close between noon and midnight on February 10, 12 and 28 and March 12, but will remain open to pedestrians and cyclists. There will also be significant motorcoach activity on many downtown streets between noon and midnight. The public is asked to carefully consider their travel plans on these dates and to participate in the success of these signature events by not bringing their vehicles into the downtown.

“We need every resident, commuter and employer in the Games region to pull together and adjust their transportation routines to make these Games a success,” Terry Wright, executive vice president of services and Games operations of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC), said on behalf of the OPTT.

“These temporary road closures in downtown Vancouver on some of the busiest days of the 2010 Winter Games will ensure all of our guests, spectators, international dignitaries, and the world’s best winter athletes come away with a positive welcoming experience not only of the Games but also of Vancouver, British Columbia and Canada as a whole,” he continued.

Dr. Penny Ballem, city manager for the City of Vancouver, added: “A reminder that 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 and March 2010.”

More transportation information

The public can read up on transportation options at www.travelsmart2010.ca to learn how they can help reduce traffic congestion throughout the Games by removing one in three vehicles from streets in Vancouver’s downtown core. This could mean taking public transit, walking or cycling to the office. It could also mean teleworking or changing work hours to avoid the Games-time peak travel times of 7:00 am to 9:00 am and 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm from February 12 to March 1.

The OPTT will also hold a transportation information open house on Wednesday, January 13 from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm at 800 Robson Street (Robson Square). The public is encouraged to attend and ask questions of the 2010 transportation team. For more information, visit www.vancouver2010.com/gameplan.

About the 2010 Winter Games integrated transportation plan

The 2010 Winter Games integrated transportation 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.

This final phase builds on information released in March and October 2009 and communicated in host communities on an ongoing basis. It includes information related to the 2010 Winter Games Ceremonies and the arrival of the Olympic Flame in Vancouver. 

About the OPTT

Members of the Olympic and Paralympic Transportation Team (OPTT) are VANOC, the City of Vancouver, Resort Municipality of Whistler, TransLink, BC Transit, the provincial Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, and the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit. Planning is also supported by other partners, including Transport Canada and the municipalities of Richmond and West Vancouver.

About VANOC

VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. Visit www.vancouver2010.com.

Press Contact
If you are a member of the media, please contact mediarelations@vancouver2010.com

For all other inquiries, please contact info@vancouver2010.com

TravelSmart 2010 Challenge to test Games-time travel plans, starting Friday, January 8 in Vancouver – News Releases : Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics

Published on January 9, 2010 in Olympics. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Vancouver, BC ? Commuters, delivery drivers and residents working and living in downtown Vancouver: are we ready to travel successfully during the 2010 Winter Games and manage road closures, significantly reduced on-street public parking and tens of thousands more people in the city? 

To prepare for a successful experience from February 12 to March 1, drivers who frequently travel in downtown Vancouver are encouraged to start practising their Games-time travel plans now and be a part of the weekly TravelSmart 2010 Challenge. The challenge, which will promote incremental reductions in vehicle traffic as phased-in road closures go into place, starts this Friday, January 8 and will run every Friday for the next five weeks in the city leading up to the Opening Ceremony on February 12.

  • This week’s road closures: Abbott between Pacific and Expo (January 4 to March 1)
  • This week’s vehicle traffic reduction goal: five per cent
  • Overall vehicle traffic reduction goal: At least a 30 per cent reduction by February 12 and throughout the Games

The weekly challenge is simple: Drivers need to think now about how they travel and read up on their options at www.travelsmart2010.ca on what changes they can make to reduce traffic congestion. Perhaps this means taking public transit or cycling to the office. It could also mean changing work hours or teleworking to avoid the Games-time peak travel times into downtown Vancouver of 7:00 am to 9:00 am and 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm. 

“The world’s eyes will be on us, visitors, athletes and officials will be here in our city ? many for the first time ? and we all need to do our part to make the transportation plan one of the great success stories and one of their great memories of these Games,” said John Furlong, CEO of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC). 

“The TravelSmart 2010 Challenge is a great chance for people to prepare themselves and test their travel plans for moving in and out and all around the city during Games time. We’re asking everyone to look at thier travel options, try them out ahead of time, and make adjustments if necessary,” added Terry Wright, executive vice president, services and Games operations, on behalf of the Olympic and Paralympic Transportation Team (OPTT). “It’s a matter of everyone getting  involved and knowing before you go ? it’s the best way to avoid surprises at Games time when on-street public parking will be virtually non-existent in the downtown core and the city’s population will swell by tens of thousands of people every day.” 

To measure the success of the challenge in reducing vehicle traffic on an incremental basis, the City of Vancouver will conduct data monitoring on behalf of the OPTT each Friday and report on the vehicle traffic reduction results publicly the following week. 

Public recognition and chance to win tickets for companies who commit to TravelSmart
More than 200 companies have signed up and shared their Games-time travel plans for their employees and deliveries with the OPTT. Full-page ads in the Vancouver Sun and The Province  on January 12 will highlight their commitment and more companies are encouraged to sign up today to be profiled and recognized. For more information on how to build a Games-time travel plan, contact travelsmart@translink.ca. 

All companies who commit to reducing vehicle traffic and share their travel plan will be entered in a weekly draw leading up to the Games for a chance to win 50 tickets to nightly Victory Ceremonies at BC Place, where Olympic athletes will stand on the podium to receive their medals and top Canadian entertainment will rock the crowd. Thirteen companies will win sets of 50 tickets each. The tickets are a great way to reward employees, business associates and customers for changing their travel behaviour to help make the Games a success.

For the most up-to-date transportation information available now and during the Games, visit www.travelsmart2010.ca. The website portal directs users to the appropriate OPTT member website for theinformation they are seeking, such as the City of Vancouver, Resort Municipality of Whistler, TransLink, BC Transit, or VANOC. 

About the OPTT
Members of the Olympic and Paralympic Transportation Team (OPTT) are VANOC, the City of Vancouver, Resort Municipality of Whistler, TransLink, BC Transit, the provincial Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, and the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit. Planning is also supported by other partners, including Transport Canada and the municipalities of Richmond and West Vancouver.

About VANOC
VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. Visit www.vancouver2010.com.

Press Contact
If you are a member of the media, please contact mediarelations@vancouver2010.com

For all other inquiries, please contact info@vancouver2010.com