The alarm buzzes. You get ready, grab a coffee, and head out the door. For many of us this daily ritual is followed by another, often less inspiring, one: the work commute. Sitting in traffic, navigating busy intersections, or searching for that elusive parking spot – it's a routine that can feel more like a chore than a choice. But what if the journey to work could be different? What if it could be less stressful, more cost-effective, better for our planet, or even – dare we say it – enjoyable?
Around the world, people navigate their daily journeys in ways that might seem extraordinary to us. Shaped by unique landscapes, urban challenges, and human ingenuity, these commutes showcase a wide range of transportation possibilities.
While we might not be hopping on a bamboo train anytime soon, let’s explore some global examples and open our minds to the alternatives right here in our backyard, from Burnaby to Chilliwack.
Around the World in Five Commutes
Imagine starting your work day not with the stop-and-go of traffic, but with one of these unique methods from around the world.
Floating to Work in Italy: The Venice Vaporetto
In the iconic city of canals, roads are replaced by waterways. For many Venetians, the primary mode of public transport isn't a bus, but a vaporetto – a water bus. These boats navigate the Grand Canal and crisscross the lagoon, offering a commute with unparalleled views of historic architecture. It’s a reminder that sometimes, embracing the local geography leads to a truly unique experience. While Venice is famous for it, other water-based cities like Hong Kong also rely heavily on ferries and water taxis, offering commuters a refreshing, albeit busy, trip across the harbour. Closer to home, Vancouver's own SeaBus performs a similar function, efficiently connecting North Vancouver with the downtown core across Burrard Inlet, showcasing how water transport remains a practical urban solution.
Soaring Above the City in Colombia: Medellín Metrocable
Nestled in a valley, the city of Medellín faced challenges connecting its hillside neighbourhoods with the city centre. Their innovative solution? A Metrocable system – urban gondolas that integrate seamlessly with the existing metro network. These cable cars glide high above the rooftops, providing residents with safe, efficient, and affordable access to jobs and services. The real perk of this mode of transport is the breathtaking panoramic views and how commuters bypass the congested streets below. This type of innovative approach to tackling challenging urban geography is even being explored locally, with the planned gondola project to connect Simon Fraser University atop Burnaby Mountain to the broader transit network.
Riding the Rails (Creatively) in Cambodia: The Bamboo Train
Born from necessity and resourcefulness, Cambodia’s "Norry" – or bamboo train – is a unique sight. These improvised vehicles consist of a simple bamboo platform, sometimes with a mat and cushions, powered by a small engine and set on reclaimed railway axles. They zip along old, often warped, train tracks, primarily in rural areas. When two meet, the one with the lighter load is quickly disassembled, letting the other pass before being put back together – a testament to simple, effective, albeit unconventional, transport.
Hanging Around in Germany: The Wuppertal Suspension Railway
For over a century, the Wuppertal Schwebebahn has been a defining feature of this German city. It’s a suspension railway, meaning the train cars hang below the track, travelling for about 13 kilometres, mostly above the Wupper River. It was designed to navigate the city's narrow valley and remains a vital part of its public transit system, showcasing forward-thinking urban planning from a bygone era that still serves a modern population.
The Uphill Journey, Simplified in Hong Kong: Mid-Levels Escalator
Tackling steep terrain doesn’t always require a vehicle. In Hong Kong, the Central–Mid-Levels escalator system is the world's longest outdoor covered escalator system. It carries thousands of commuters downhill in the morning and uphill in the evening, covering over 800 metres in distance and rising 135 metres in elevation. It's a prime example of pedestrian-focused infrastructure designed to overcome a specific geographic challenge, making walking a viable option even on steep inclines.
These global examples highlight creativity, but what about practical alternatives here in BC’s stretch from Burnaby to Chilliwack? While our landscape might not call for gondolas, our increasingly busy roads certainly encourage us to think outside the single-driver car. Choosing an alternative can mean saving money on fuel and parking, reducing stress, improving your health, and lessening your environmental impact.
Riding the Network with Public Transit
Our region boasts a comprehensive, although sometimes complex, transit network bridging different municipalities. Understanding the main players is key:
- TransLink: Operates services primarily in Metro Vancouver, including Burnaby, the Tri-Cities, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge, Surrey, and Langley. This includes the SkyTrain (Expo, Millennium, and Evergreen Lines), West Coast Express (commuter rail), SeaBus, and an extensive transit bus network.
- BC Transit: Manages transit systems further east, including the Central Fraser Valley (Abbotsford, Mission), Chilliwack, and Agassiz-Harrison systems.
- The Bridge: Fraser Valley Express (FVX 66): This vital BC Transit route is the key connector, linking Chilliwack, Abbotsford, and the Carvolth Exchange in Langley, where passengers can easily transfer to the TransLink network.
These systems connect effectively together at the Carvolth Exchange in Langley. Located just off Highway 1 at 202 Street, this exchange is a perfect example of a multi-modal hub. Here, you can park your car (over 800 spots available) or lock your bike, and hop on a TransLink bus heading west towards SkyTrain stations, or catch the FVX 66 heading east. It represents a practical way to bypass some of the worst traffic bottlenecks by combining solo transport with efficient transit.
Power Up Your Pedals with Cycling
The Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley offer increasingly good options for cycling commuters. With dedicated bike lanes, multi-use paths, and the game-changing power of e-bikes, covering considerable distances on two wheels is more feasible than ever. E-bikes, in particular, flatten hills and make a 10-20 kilometer commute much more manageable, even in business attire.
In Abbotsford, for instance, cyclists benefit from a growing network designed for commuting, with a corridor that provides an east-west pathway, with bike lanes connecting the Old Clayburn Road area through to Mount Lehman Road. This route offers valuable links for many, connecting residential areas with major industrial and commercial zones. It also improves access for students and staff heading to educational centres like the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) and Columbia Bible College, making cycling a practical choice for both work and study.
Further west, imagine commuting with stunning river and mountain views! The Pitt River Greenway offers a beautiful, mostly flat, paved route through Pitt Meadows. It connects seamlessly with the cycling and pedestrian paths on the Golden Ears Bridge, providing a fantastic link for commuters between Pitt Meadows/Maple Ridge and Langley/Surrey. It showcases how dedicated infrastructure can turn a commute into a refreshing ride. These examples, alongside routes like Surrey's Green Timbers Greenway, highlight the region's commitment to improving cycling options.
Share the Ride with Carpooling & Ride-Sharing
Why have four cars on the road when one could do? Carpooling is a classic alternative with modern twists.
- HOV Lanes: High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes on Highway 1 and other routes reward those who share a ride by offering a faster trip during peak times.
- Cost Savings: Sharing fuel and parking costs can add up to significant savings.
- Park & Ride Lots: Many transit hubs, like Carvolth Exchange, Lonsdale Quay, or Scott Road SkyTrain station, offer Park & Ride facilities, making it easy to meet up with carpool partners or transition to transit. You can find more TransLink Park & Ride info here.
- Finding Partners: Beyond asking colleagues or neighbours, platforms like Poparide help connect drivers with passengers for longer-distance commutes, while many people use social media (searching for "Fraser Valley Carpool" or similar terms on platforms like Facebook) to find local ride-sharing arrangements.
The Original Alternative by Walking & Multi-Modal Commutes
While some cities across the Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland aren’t as famously walkable as, say, Vancouver or Victoria, there are certainly opportunities to incorporate walking, especially when combined with other methods.
- The First & Last Kilometre: Even if your whole commute isn't walkable, consider walking or cycling to your nearest bus stop or SkyTrain station instead of driving. It adds activity to your day and saves parking hassles.
- Transit-Oriented Communities: As our cities grow, we see more development focused around transit hubs.
Example: Coquitlam Town Centre / Burquitlam Plaza
Areas like Coquitlam Town Centre (around Coquitlam Central Station) and Burquitlam Plaza (around Burquitlam Station) exemplify this shift. With the Evergreen Line SkyTrain as their backbone, these neighbourhoods are increasingly dense with housing, shops, and services, all within walking distance of rapid transit. For residents here, a commute to Burnaby, Port Moody, or even Vancouver can easily involve a short walk followed by a relaxing SkyTrain ride, completely bypassing road traffic.
Making the Switch One Step at a Time
Exploring alternative transportation doesn't mean you have to sell your car tomorrow. It’s about exploring options and finding what works for your commute.
- Plan Ahead: Use tools like Google Maps (with its transit and cycling options), the TransLink Trip Planner, or the BC Transit website to map out potential routes.
- Start Small: Try taking transit or cycling one day a week. See how it feels.
- Be Prepared: If you're cycling or walking, check the weather and wear appropriate gear. For transit, a good book or podcast can make the time fly by.
- Think Multi-Modal: Can you combine methods? Drive part way and cycle the rest? Walk to transit?
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The daily commute is an unavoidable part of life for many, but it doesn't have to be a source of stress or expense. From the water buses of Venice to the soaring gondolas of Medellín, people find innovative ways to get where they need to go. Here in the Fraser Valley, we have our own set of growing, practical alternatives. By exploring public transit, embracing cycling, sharing rides, or simply walking a little more, we can make our journey to work a more positive, sustainable, and perhaps even adventurous part of our day.
If you’re thinking of changing your modes of transport to walking or cycling, be prepared to change your mindset from that of a driver! We’ve got you covered with Tips to Be a Safe Pedestrian and Sharing the Road with Cyclists.