Planned obsolescence, on a massive scale (part 2)

Continued from post below:

The in-train announcements come off way too short, and timing is just off. First off, for accessibility purposes, the announcements do miss a key component. For those who are visually impaired, tourists or practically anyone not familiar to the area, the lack of, “the doors on the right/left side will open” are missed; not only that, commuters standing near said doors will know which door does open at a certain station and therefore may be less annoyed to see a herd of people wanting to get off. The announcement of “This train is for Richmond-Brighouse/YVR-Airport/Waterfront” should be played back when the train is stopped at the stations, not seconds after the train departs from said stations. However, in the case of the latter, some additional information should be added to that announcement from the more major stations (Waterfront, Vancouver City Centre, Broadway City Hall, Marine Drive, Bridgeport for example), such as other stations of note that the train is bound for. So something like this (from Waterfront):
“This is the Canada Line train, bound for Broadway-City Hall, Oakridge-41st, Marine Drive, Richmond-Brighouse. The next station is [Vancouver City Centre]”
and when nearing the station itself:
“We will be arriving at [Vancouver City Centre] shortly, the doors on the left side will open.”

I joked if TransLink had paid the voice of SkyTrain Laureen Regan by the word as the reasoning behind why the announcements were so bare-bones.

Other known announcements would include notifications where the priority seats are for the elderly, handicapped, expecting mothers, and passengers accompanying small children. It may seem like a mouthful, but to attain competence as a company, you need to cover your bases. And yes, this does extend to the Expo and Millennium lines too.

Now to an issue pertaining to the rush hour crunch (again). Regardless of station, the time unloading/reloading of passengers is at a blazing 8-10 seconds. Not good. As you’d be expecting crowds, big or small, waiting at stations, it’ll take the allotted time just for the unload, then a few more seconds for the reload. As an automated system, this is a big problem, because what happens, passengers will just hold the door open anyway to allow most, if not all passengers to get on board–delaying the train anyway. And since it being an automated system, there wouldn’t be a chance for full-time attendants to let the conductor know that all passengers are safely on board. Of course that goes back to train selection, automated or otherwise.

Jumping back up to the station concourses, there should be the next train LED board up on the concourse, adjacent to fare machines and eventual faregates. A small addition but needed.

Back down to the platform once more is positioning labels on the platform noting passengers where to stand whenever the train arrives. Since they only use one kind of train, it’s easier to implement. Or if you want to one up that, install automatic platform gates. This enables passengers where to board and possible jumpers. This covers a whole area of future problems.

This pretty much covers what I thought would’ve been a short post but expanded to a two-parter. If I have more beefs (which I’m sure I will), an additional inset post will be added in the near future.

Planned obsolescence, on a massive scale (part 1)

While as not to get too in deep here, as Metro Vancouver’s newest rapid transit line, the Canada Line is now over a month into revenue service, certain things are being put through the microscope. What is missing, what can be improved, and what may or will happen in the not too distant future will be put into question. This is clearly through my perspective, and some may not agree though.

Now at first glance when you first step into one of the 16 stations along the Canada Line, euphoria sets in. You can’t help but gaze in awe of what $2 billion does. The trains are, for the most part, clean, and quiet. While you down your Jugo Juice heading to the city centre you think to yourself, “My God, why didn’t we get this sooner?!”. Step back to reality.

There is an immediate problem here, and we shall start in the process of entering a station.
All but 5 stations (Waterfront, Vancouver City Centre*, Bridgeport, Sea Island Way and YVR-Airport) have only 1 entrance. And since most are situated adjacent to a street corner, it would make sense to have added a second entrance on the opposite corner– convenient for bus stops close to the stations. It doesn’t have to be extravagant as the main entrance, even just a small ubiquitous glass-housed sheltered stairwell heading underground (if applicable). Since the line itself wasn’t built in the ground lower than it is (only about 25m burrowed if I’m not mistaken), It wouldn’t work and thus unlikely for a re-fit later on.
*During business hours, entrances from Vancouver Centre and Pacific Centre are open.

Faregates. There was an issue on why it wasn’t installed on launch day (either time constraints or money, likely the latter). TransLink plans to have them installed on Canada Line stations in 2010, and existing Expo and Millennium Line stations in the near future. All this talk about fare evasion, this would’ve been a chance to do something about it. In regards to this, for the entire revenue day (around 4.30am – 1.30am) there should be at least 1 attendant either near the future faregates, or somewhere in the vicinity. Most often a Transit attendant present is sparse. Of course, the implementation of faregates, would mean a new fare system (as apposed to the 90-minute tickets), but that’s for another topic.

No growth for retail opportunities in the station itself. Sure, you have Jugo Juice in pretty much every station, but this would have been prime opportunity to have a multitude of businesses operating, occupying an otherwise empty, cold and, let’s face it, bland interior the Canada Line provides. This is especially true to high occupancy stations such as Broadway City Hall and Vancouver City Centre Station (save for adjacent shopping centres).

*This is more of an irk I see when approaching the platform, as for station signage, it doesn’t mention the previous or next station anywhere (and I don’t mean those red signs on the far ends). So let’s take a page from Japan’s JR system; picture it: you’re on Shibuya Station on the Yamanote Line. Assuming you’re going clockwise, the next station would be Harajuku, while the station inbound was Ebisu (noted in a faded text). As a tourist, for example, it would serve a benefit for what it’s worth.

Now to the platform itself. At a mere 40 metres in length, the platform itself spans just about the entire length of the 2-car Hyundai Rotem train. Now, TransLink can expand it to 50 metres in the future but really, it won’t make a significant difference from the original 40m. This comes from the original planning, and the choice of trains (over, say Bombardier, maker of the Expo and Millennium Line trains). As the platforms for the Expo and Millennium Lines being expanded to cover either a 6 car MK II or 8 car MK I, this is the end o’ the line in terms of the platforms for the Canada Line. Minimal expansion + Population Growth – Discontinued Bus Routes + Olympics = Busy. The tunnels themselves have a lifespan of 100 years. In a fraction of that, population in Metro Vancouver will most certainly rise significantly

Speaking of the discontinued (or rerouted) bus routes, *cough*98, 311, 351, 352, 354, 424, 488, 490, 491, 492, 496, 601, 602, 603, 604*cough*, It creates a massive bottleneck at Bridgeport Station. With only the #480 UBC/Richmond – Brighouse Sta the only bus route connecting Richmond & Vancouver. Suppose a major incident or track malfunction occurs at practically any of the stations, this creates a complete shutdown. And guaranteed, the happenings will be a common sight.

The trains themselves are Hyundai-Rotem, as opposed to using Bombardier. And much like the station interiors, the train’s interiors are just as bland, cold, plain, and sterile (well, not anymore). While the train is noticeably wider than the MK I and MK II SkyTrain, the seating arrangements and bar placements are off the mark. Bench seating across the entire train, and bars overhead with swinging drop handles allow for more standees, Instead the majority are front facing seats. While there are LED destination signs inside the train, there are no sign of LCDs for digital ads, station maps, station info, etc. What replaces it is a slide in sheet of a rudimentary map of Metro Vancouver.

Part 2 coming soon.

Otaku stop #2: Beans Toys

The ongoing search for otakudom continues, entering Aberdeen Centre in Richmond, BC to a small shop called Beans Toys. While the selection isn’t as grand as JHobby, it does have one selling factor: Blythes! Yes, Beans sells, albeit a small range of Blythes, from the 1/6 scale dolls, to the familiar petite variety. I snagged my first one, the Night Flower version. It has a nice red coat, underneath is a lovely black dress with a cute bow around the waist and white lace trim on the top and bottom of the dress.

Also there is a 1/4 scale Suzumiya Haruhi figure in full bunny girl costume which I’ve been pining for since spotting it while I was in Japan. it’s about the same price as a 1/6 scale Blythe. decisions, decisions…

But speaking of Blythes, the gallery for my aforementioned Night Flower Blythe is now available on Flickr:

If you are in the Metro Vancouver area, and wish to check the store out, find them on the 3rd floor of Aberdeen Centre in Richmond (Canada Line — Aberdeen Station) and do check their website for any additional info:
Beans Toys

Otaku stop #1: JHobby

From time to time, I’ll blog about happening places to further otaku your life

Stop #1 in a Vancouverite’s quest of Otaku-ness is JHobby. Off the path past Canada Line’s Aberdeen Station is a smaller shopping complex in Richmond called Union Square you’ll find JHobby. They have an array of figures straight from Japan, ranging from manga/anime series like “The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya”, “Gundam Wing”, “Lupin” series among many others.

The majority of my figure shopping is done here. There is also a section of monthly specials where prices are slashed up to 50%. Bring a bib, you’ll need it.

Their website for any additional information:
http://jhobby.com/

Incidentally, the figma of Takara Miyuki was bought from JHobby and here’s the gallery:

Miyuki Takara 高良みゆき (Uploaded 25 Aug)

Next up will be a couple shops inside Aberdeen Centre. じゃまた

Poll time! Which version is best?

I should be more active in my blogs, here’s a start.

Recently, if you recall, I posted an entry about Taiwan-based Hello!Project group Ice Creamusme. They released a single off their mini-album, 1st最棒! (1st Zui Bang!), in Mandarin called, 在沒有雨水滋潤的星球上是無法付出愛的吧? (On a planet without rain can there not be love?)

Morning Musume has a track on their newest release, プラチナ 9 DISC (Platinum 9 DISC), with the title, 雨の降らない星では愛せないだろう? (If it Doesn’t Rain, Will the Stars Not Love?). It’s both performed in Japanese and Mandarin (sung by momusu’s Chinese members, JunJun and LinLin)

What we want to figure out is which you’d prefer (and it shouldn’t come down to the groups themselves).

The poll will be open for 1 month. Afterwards the results will be posted and a new poll will be thought up by then (hopefully).

For those wondering I preferred Ice Creamusume’s version more^_^

Figurine Central Update for Aug 26

This seems to be a recurring theme as I update my blogs every month or so. Apparently with all the free time I have, most of it is spent not updating my blogs. Well, massive update on the figurine front.

Mentioned in my last figurine update, a little shop in the Asian mall district in Richmond called JHobby caters to everything otaku. Since mid June, I’ve frequented there numerous times, a lot more now thanks to the opening of the Canada Line. There are a number of great deals to be had, monthly specials and the like.

Since acquiring my first figma while still in Japan, the Hiiragi Tsukasa figma, I’ve now bought 5 more since then, and at this point all but 1 has galleries uploaded to my flickr.

New galleries listed as follows:

Hiiragi Kagami Cosplay Ver (柊かがみ コスプレver) – uploaded on Jul 30

Hoshimura Makina (星村眞姫那) – uploaded on Jul 30

Drössel (ドロッセル) – uploaded on Jul 31

Izumi Konata (泉こなた) – uploaded on Aug 25

I’m uploading a Takara Miyuki figma gallery very soon. more to come.

Long since updated: Mano Erina — part of H!Ps newest gen of soloists

Oh my. It’s been nearly 2 months since my last update, and well, not much has changed. I guess I haven’t given as much time to my blogs as I do with flickr nowadays, but I hope to balance the 3 out.

This update comes in the form of Hello! Project soloist, Mano Erina (真野恵里菜). Since the Elder Club of H!P graduated back in March, they lost some prominent soloists; the likes of Matsuura Aya, Abe Natsumi, among others will be sorely missed but the newest crop are starting to emerge.

Erina has that charm and genkiness Ayaya once had when she debuted back in ’02. She has released 3 singles with a 4th forthcoming. I can’t wait for her 1st studio album to be released. In the meantime, here are 2 of the recent singles released: Hajimete no Keiken (はじめての経験) and Sekai wa Summer Party (世界は サマー・パーティ).

(via YouTube)

Hajimete no Keiken (はじめての経験)

Sekai wa Summer Party (世界は サマー・パーティ)

I hope to add more stuff to pass along.

Off to Vegas for the weekend, fuels The Hangover as inspiration

I should really start packing. I’m already enjoying a 5-day weekend as the final 3 are spent in fabulous Las Vegas. Just a little taste of things to come: a bit of gambling, catch a show or 2 and of course hit up a buffet. I won’t have much to spend anyway, so I’ll focus that time on shooting. Otherwise, nothing else of importance to report. Pics and reaction upon return, or track my updates on Twitter: @kurichan_

see you soon!

Wonder Girls invade Vancouver, our hearts.

*Photo taken by Nick Tan

I don’t quite understand if you chose one group to adore and loathe the other; though it can be influenced from other fans who think the same way. I might’ve had a bit of it a while back as when I first listened to Girls’ Generation back in April 08, I scoffed at the fact Tell Me had gotten so much publicity (at the time). I realized now that Wonder Girls and Girls’ Generation can co-exist, contrary to what other fans/netizens think. And it’s not because of what’s to come…

Phone shopping; how did it get so difficult?

I still can’t get my head wrapped around it, but the choice of finding a new mobile phone soon after I arrived from Japan seemed to be a lengthy process. From someone who has been using Japanese keitais (or mobile phones for those unaware) outside of Japan for use in Canada for just around a year or so, I thought at length whether it would be the right move to continue using keitais as my primary mobile phone.

Then I thought, “why don’t I get a phone that I’ll be able to utilize most, if not all functions on the phone?”. The thing with keitais is that outside of Japan, they’re just as primitive technologically as a RAZR in North America; for the reason that everything gets either locked down (unusable – like internet, MMS, & other similar functions), or the features are limited to Japan only (Barcode reader, e-wallets, etc) (which would require an internet connection so chalk that up to the former anyway). Needless to say, apart from unmatched styling, you can make/recieve a call, and SMS texting.

In a way, choosing a phone in Japan was hard, yet very easy. Hard in the fact that all of them were wonderfully designed, feature packed; but easy as that you wouldn’t be disappointed in picking any of them (even if it turned out to be a mistake).

For a moment I thought I’d go back to keitai, once after I saved up for one again (your average price for one is at least $600). But I couldn’t in good conscience go back to keitai in Canada. So then begins the hunt for a new phone. We just seem to be a ‘one step forward, two steps back’ type or people when it comes to mobile phones. Nothing is ever wowed here; as only a handful of phones released here are headturners (and I don’t mean iPhones). It will be long before we’ll ever see a 3 inch widescreen LCD on a flip phone here in North America; I mean it’s possible on touchscreen smartphones, why can’t it reach across the board to the most basic phones. We really get the short end of the stick when it comes to mobile phones, which is why it’s incredibly difficult to choose one, and one you’ll use for 2 or 3 years.

My criteria for a new phone had 2 exceptions, no Blackberries or iPhones. Ultimately when I heard Rogers wireless was bringing the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1a (shown above) — which was on my short list (HTC Touch Pro and Nokia N97 being the others) my notions of going back to keitais were thrown out of the window. I snatched this up days after it was announced and signed a 3 year plan.

It’s a great phone and I’m sure to get plenty of use for the duration.