Driving the SkyTrain! - Inside Vancouver's Transit System

[@stevensteven5144]

It’s actually impressive how much access they gave you Mike. Great job!

[@DownieLive]

Isn’t it?! Thanks Steven!

[@jiniyoo1261]

DownieLive I am big fandom Transit Bus, seabus and sky train I never been on westcoast express I am not get ride bus, sea buses and sky train I am very interested about Tanslink train center Where is located at

[@josielau1218]

DownieLive ya how did u get permission 😂

[@peepa47]

It is Canada eh

[@lsubandtrumpet2014]

@@DownieLive You are one handsome dude, bro!

[@curryrice7510]

What I love about bus in Vancouver is everyone says “Thank you” to the driver when they get off.

[@abhimanyusangwan6568]

Same in Toronto

[@BrytonBand]

I can be thanked for starting that lol

[@IzzyOnTheMove]

Exactly! I'm from Québec and i had never seen that before. Now i do it here too.

[@monkegamer4953]

Always thank the bus driver!

[@wavesnbikes]

Canadians leading by example. The modern life with these values, which are VERY underestimated by the media and schools.

[@jenk8209]

Omg I'm a bus driver and I busted a gut when you asked him to get behind the red line. 😂

[@daljotsingh4918]

Thank you for your service Jen! 🍁

[@DownieLive]

It was a pre-planned bit. He knew I was going to do that. I wouldn’t normally treat someone like that.

[@deephorizon1365]

Thank you for your service!

[@youresinningtoo3996]

As a frequent passenger sometimes I wanna scream get behind the line and move to the back 😂

[@jamesgarvey2472]

Some day you should tell us how you get access to the "inside track" on projects like this. The degree of cooperation you are afforded and your access to behind-the-scenes processes is absolutely remarkable. We appreciate that you take your viewers with you. Right on!

[@PacificAirPhoto1]

I’m Vancouver born and raised, too. Love this kind of thing, thanks so much for doing this!

[@DownieLive]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@joeyfairchild7081]

13:50 Even the horns in Canada are kind, respectful, and I could almost hear a dash of apology.

[@kobyschechter8163]

I actually laughed out loud when I saw this. Hilarious as an American!!

[@jasminejohnston6393]

The SkyTrain’s horn can only be heard in manual mode, so most people don’t usually get to hear it. Also, all SkyTrain models have the same horn, even the ones used for the Canada Line

[@Jakey4000]

I love how the trolly buses display said "masks mandatory" "Sorry" So Canadian, and so cute. I miss Vancouver.

[@maxwelldegay9824]

Because of coronavirus

[@EricChiEric]

I think it goes Sorry Not in service Masks mandatory

[@angelawong1938]

This is amazing, as a daily transit passenger this gave me a even deeper appreciation for all translink staff 🙏😊

[@ItsNot4Everyone]

Growing up in the Lower Mainland, I found this extremely cool. I can’t believe how much behind the scenes access you got, during a pandemic no less.

[@natepike6147]

My dad was a Translink driver from the mid 70's until sometime in the early 2000's. Operation sure has changed over the years.

[@julianakf]

My husband: "even the buses say Sorry".

[@DownieLive]

😄😄 It's true!

[@CANControlGRAFFITI]

I believe it’s a scrolling banner reading “sorry, not in service.

[@julianakf]

@@CANControlGRAFFITI Yep. And in my country the message only says Out of Service. In Canada, it apologizes. Once I was in Canada and a guy apologized for the weather. I'm pretty sure the weather wasn't his fault, he was just being super Canadian. I know it's a stereotype, but I've had so much reinforcement of this particular stereotype that I have to agree that most Canadians are super polite and say "sorry" a lot.

[@Jasper_4444]

Here in the Netherlands, buses apologize for being so full you can't board.

[@MurdamanTy]

@@CANControlGRAFFITI in New Jersey they say "NO PASSENGERS NOT IN SERVICE"

[@IzzyOnTheMove]

I love the Skytrain and the sound the buses make when the perch touches the cable. It's magic. 💜

[@ZacharyC]

So this is what it's like behind the scene. Thanks for showing us around and thanks to all the transit workers for keeping us moving!

[@bebugarim]

I'm living in Vancouver since 2018, this video kills all the curiosity that I use to have! hahaha, great content man...subscribed!

[@DownieLive]

Yes! Alright, Bernardo, thanks!

[@daljotsingh4918]

Ditto here.

[@nachiketkejriwal9433]

@@DownieLive hello

[@callmeandoru2627]

Woa, same for me.

[@lynda.grace.14]

So cool! Great fun to ride along vicariously. In 2015 when I visited the Japan Railway Museum in Nagoya I won a lotto draw to operate the 750 series Shinkansen (bullet train) simulator. So I can relate to the buzz. That goes over 200 mph, but if you crash the simulator anywhere along the journey that's the end of your experience. I managed (with the help of a translator/coach) to bring the train into the destination station on time and perfectly lined up at the exit markers. Got a safe driver certificate for it too.

[@DownieLive]

WOW! That would be so cool!

[@lynda.grace.14]

@@DownieLive Yeah, it was super cool. Even cooler was that I then took the same train back to where I was staying in Toyohashi. As a result of my simulator run I knew exactly what was happening at each stage of the journey. Especially interesting was that at a certain distance from a station the automatic braking system takes over from the conductor (thus preventing a suicide run on their part). If you know this, you can feel it happen. When the train gets down to 30 kmh the automatic system turns the controls back to the conductor who then must bring the train to the spot where all the doors line up with their markers on the platform where the people line up to embark. Crazy wicked technology.

[@threeparots1]

Been to the Kyoto railway museum last year and got to experience their simulator. Also very cool. They have a lottery like system for when it is busy, but it wasn’t that day and we were the tourist I guess so they put us both on the N700A Shinkansen simulators instead of the local type trains. There is also a Japan only game called “Densha de go” which has been around for around 20-25 years which is essentially a series of train simulators.

[@TerryLawrence001]

@@DownieLive And if you go below 60 MPH ...

[@Alliejay-C]

Such a cool experience you got to do! Also, thanks for recognizing the works public transport workers do. I lived in London for three years and those bus drivers do amazing work!

[@VanessaPutinRissi]

Vancouver Transit System is pretty safe and you are lucky to be one of them to drive. Everyone is very calm and nice to say Thank you and this happenned in Vancouver...💖 Learning how to drive The Vancouver Transit system is not an easy as the personal vehicle as the grid of safety and the center of the control...💖

[@dmndave]

When I was a kid my parents took me to some old steam train centers and I was hooked! But when I realized diesel did not quite have the allure I was devastated. I still try and sit as close to the cab as I can even on local transit like trams. Love to see you enjoying this, Mike. Your videos are a breath of fresh air and positivity in these strange times and I look forward to each new one!

[@hogridermark7978]

Fun fact: this was the first video I saw from DownieLive, and I like the channel so much!!

[@DownieLive]

Alright!!! Welcome aboard!

[@hogridermark7978]

@@DownieLive Thanks!!

[@MacAdvisor]

One of the best DownieLive trips EVER! Not only did I have fantastic fun joining you, but you look transcendently happy. The sheer joy was so palpable, I could feel it through the video screen. Great job!

[@Zeyev]

I'm happy you used the term "trolley bus" for what many people call "electric buses." It makes this former MUNI rider proud. I had no idea how complicated it would be to maneuver between overhead lines. That was amazing. PS The one guy who didn't cover his nose with his mask - bad, bad, bad. Did you happen to mention it to him later? Oh, please don't strand passengers when you're driving. We get very upset. 😂

[@BurnedNoodle]

There is differences between Trolley and Electric, who ever calls Trolleys E Buses are pretty much inexperienced.

[@TheCriminalViolin]

@@BurnedNoodle Trolley Buses, aka "Light Rail Trains on Asphalt"

[@kennysbusdrawings]

electric buses have small range like 20 miles and electric trolleybuses are better

[@TheCriminalViolin]

@@kennysbusdrawings Where the heck did you get that normal electric buses have such a tiny range? Most electric buses these days have a range of at least 100 miles before needing to be charged, and some are even to a point where it's been increased to around 150 miles per charge. For city bus routes, that's more than enough anyway if their charging bays happen to be implemented at one of their two termini.

[@kennysbusdrawings]

@@TheCriminalViolin kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6PalXp8gKhgqKc

[@jasminejohnston6393]

6:44 Gotta love the sound of a DD50 bus engine idling!

[@aussiejohn5835]

Thanks Mike, this is especially interesting to me. I am a retired bus driver in Sydney Australia with 37years service. My most common announcement when people would not move to the rear of the bus: " For your information, the rear of the bus is timetabled to arrive at the same time as the front, please move back" I hope one day that you can visit us and experience our public transport system. The ferries that service our magnificent harbour always delight visitors and locals alike.

[@DownieLive]

Hahahaha. That’s very clever. I love it.

[@lzh4950]

Meanwhile in my country 1 of the bus drivers simply shoved people towards the back as they boarded. If they bumped into another passenger they may risk being accused of molest though I think

[@aussiejohn5835]

@@lzh4950 If that happened here the bus driver would be suspended and could even lose their job. I never had a problem when dealing with the passengers because I believe that what you give is what is returned to you. I tried to use humour to calm a possible bad situation and in most cases it works.

[@Aaron-kp6kp]

I’ve been to so many buses, I’ve seen the inside of a public bus but I have never been INSIDE OF A SKYTRAIN operating machine. That’s awesome!!!!

[@rickdownie1908]

Wow. I thought it was too short. We would love to see more. Amazing access.

[@smallstudiodesign]

This video is amazing!, Vancouver born and raised as well ... & I’m feel so envious of you! Wow!

[@pamdleve]

I hope you get your own TV show one day. Of course every episode will be on British Columbia. I'm glad that you got the opportunity to do a video on how the transit works

[@julianakf]

This video is awesome! It may be my favorite as it is almost like a documentary. As someone soon relocating to Vancouver, I loved knowing how TransLink vehicles/trains work! We can see how dedicated TransLink workers are , and how much work you put on your videos, Mike! Thank you so much!

[@DownieLive]

Thank you Juliana!

[@0726Samson]

Lol. The bus is so Canadian to the point that it keeps displaying "Sorry" 😂😂😂😂

[@DownieLive]

😂😂

[@rakusu]

That what have been a dream day for me. I LOVE the vancouver transit system. And that you for saying on multiple occassions to wear a mask. I still see people on transit who don't.

[@truffleends4111]

This is the best video ever on KZbin. Love love love transit.

[@BrytonBand]

12:38 I've literally lived here all my life and I always wondered even when I was a little lad HOW the trains operated. Sometimes during heavy snowfall, the service operators will crack open the front chest to operate the train manually. It's a rather rare sight, but a cool one.

[@Jellyfish146]

I grew up in Mission, on the end of the west coast express line. It was super fun to go to Vancouver on the train and spend the day in the city. I miss it.

[@ibonical]

i love the designs of the busses, i haven't rided on a translink bus in a while though.

[@dxnnigxrcia]

Coming from someone who take the WCE every morning and the skytrain constantly to work and school, this is so fun to look at 🤩

[@boquaa1448]

I was born and still live in Vancouver, and it’s such and awesome place!

[@nipattanipatta]

Wow this is cool to see. I really miss Van. From Thailand.

[@Charliefarley170287]

The over acting on the bus simulator was so funny! 😂

[@DownieLive]

Haha. Thanks Charlie!

[@netguy]

Hey @DownieLive Life is full of surprises, a year ago I watched this video and left a comment, I don't know how it came my way. Today I am one of those Vancouver Trolley operators for real! A year ago the idea never crossed my mind and to be honest it never did until I sent my resume 🤣 Hope to see you on board one of our buses.

[@DownieLive]

Cool! Congrats Amr!

[@paulstransportandmore]

One of your best videos ever! I'm a huge transit guy and to have you to a video in something like this is just so cool!

[@sethtriggs]

This is so fantastic and wow it's so fun to see all you do. Still watching more of your videos, and it's just amazing all the stuff you do

[@cmartin_ok]

Wow! Hard to believe that a year ago I was in Vancouver for a week's vacation, travelled on most of these various methods of transport.... and now, as a Brit, I'm not even allowed into Canada as a tourist :-( The Sea Bus amazed me, as you say almost zero clearance on both sides when it docks. Stay safe everyone, and hopefully one day I'll be back

[@ptroman1]

Hi Mike, glad you enjoyed running the Sky Train as I did building the tunnels and putting in the track. :)

[@liquidbreads8153]

i always love going on the buses but never realized how complex it is to control them

[@MattMort]

The video turned out super well! Really fun feel to this video 😁 Thanks for taking me with you for the day, and I’m glad I could help out a little ☺️

[@DownieLive]

Yeah Matt! Any time! It was a huge help having you. It really helped me capture everything. Thanks again, buddy!

[@jamesbrien1944]

What a fantastic opportunity for learning, fellowship and adventure! I needed that vicarious trip! LOL!

[@Nickdude56]

Just felt like thought dumping here. Honestly feels like a 1 on 1 tour. It's like you're talking to your best friend. Very nice quality B-roll. Awesome video man.

[@jamesdugan3079]

So cool!!! Thanks for the rides Michael.

[@simonmarshall19]

You did great training to drive the trolleys . My good friend is from Vancouver Island is now driving the Trolleys . He loves it . Thank you for posting this

[@s_acostamuniz]

One of my favourite videos on this channel. Thanks.

[@DownieLive]

💪🏼😄👍🏼 Thanks!

[@joevermillion9748]

Thank You Mike. It is great to see your videos. Thank You for sharing this. Stay Safe and God Bless You and your family

[@greg_herhuth]

Another absolutely wonderful video. Thank you for all your hard work in bringing all these amazing locations to your viewers especially since some of us cannot get out there and see them for ourselves. That's pretty amazing that you got to drive all those vehicles. Looks like you did pretty good especially since the video didn't end showing you in the back of a police car. Keep up the great work.

[@revolution1one]

I was born and raised in Vancouver and have always been interested in BC Transit/Trans Link. Lucky guy you are!

[@crowfoot1199]

Also a Vancouver native. Lol'd at the simulator bus rage "GET 👏 TO 👏 THE 👏 BACK 👏 OF 👏 THE 👏 BUS!!" That is Big Mood right there lol. I remember riding the skytrain when it first came out! The WCE is a really nice way to get into the city. Views along Burrard Inlet are gorgeous.

[@jancatperson8329]

I love the message on the trolley: MASKS MANDATORY SORRY. How very Canadian. I love Canada.

[@sayanama]

That is wrong. Its "Masks Mandatory". "Sorry, Not in Service". Source: From Vancouver.

[@UrbanTransportEtc]

The “sorry” is related to the “not in service” message and not to the masks one ;)

[@moofey]

There's a subreddit where every time I see a mention of a Canadian bus, it's almost always a TransLink bus with "Sorry" on the display.

[@CityWhisperer]

10:47 Wouldn’t the black box go somewhere else? In case of a frontal impact with a vehicle, for example, it’s literally the first thing to suffer, as it’s at the front.

[@DownieLive]

I don’t design them, I just show you where it is?...

[@CityWhisperer]

@@DownieLive I know, I just pointed it out as it caught my attention. Very immersing video by the way, really liked it.

[@DownieLive]

Oh thanks Mikel. Very kind. Personally I think you’re right about the black box, but there’s got to be some reason for it. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@pascalomathghamhna4883]

Downey, you're brilliant!!

[@user-be9fd2oo3o]

You are starting to own your style. Many people will let you do alot of things bc they know you are the people's champ in vancouver. One day you will surpass your own goal. You are the best guide to vancouver We love your channel ❤

[@CubeAtlantic]

The Sky-Train tbqh gives me these futuristic, ultra-modern vibes the experience on those automated engines feel so new, & up-to-date doe.

[@brianfraser2495]

Used to drive city bus in Edmonton years ago. We had trolley buses at the time so I can appreciate the extra complications it brings.

[@olgaradzikh2552]

I thought your title was clickbait, as SkyTrain is automated, there are no operators on board. Learned today that there are manual controls!

[@BurnedNoodle]

cough cough some Mark I’s are manual, Detroit and TTC got them too, but TTC gave them ATC, not sure bout Detroit.

[@McBrabus]

though system is fully driverless, the SkyTrain cars do have manual controls (mainly used for recovery purposes, and when under maintenance)

[@McBrabus]

@Am I no.... not really

[@pbilk]

I didn't know about those manual controls either.

[@inverseparadox]

@@McBrabus or when it snows

[@Nynke_K]

A ferry that's called a sea bus... That's funny!

[@KJW-Transit]

That locomotive is an f59 PHI, which is also used on Amtrak Pacific Surfliner and capital corridor services, and it's used in a lot of other places in America like metra, NCTD Coaster, Metrolink, and probably more places

[@justjoelee]

so dope 🙌🏼

[@DownieLive]

Thanks buddy!

[@coryphillips8526]

I love it. Here I thought in my home town, Philadelphia, PA USA, was the only city with what you call a trolley bus. Here we call it trackless trolley. As for the commuter train, TRE in Dallas, TX has the same exact train. However, the locomotives vary.

[@lordpickle8424]

Oooohhhh, so that's what down the stairs at Commercial station. Very interesting. Very nice of Translink to let you do this too, good stuff.

[@justinm.1]

The 40 ft. Trolley bus is I think one of the hardest ones to drive (of course all the other buses are hard too but I personally think it’s the Trolleybus)....the 60 ft. is pretty much another level of hard 😳😳

[@mizzmosh21]

No it's not. Easy peasy. Do it all the timr

[@jaysmith1408]

The trolley poles and switches are the most pressing issue, had the same issue running streetcars, except I then didn’t have to worry about following the wires. Operating the bus otherwise is a breeze.

[@abbymorel4925]

This was a very cool video. I never thought about how the buses and trains worked. I wasn't aware of the transit train. Many of the drivers are polite and helpful. There's one or two who aren't, but that's true of all public services.

[@Spencer067]

Ive driven a skytrain about 4 meters back in 2009 for the take your kid to work day in Grade 9. I also drove some of the speeders around.

[@DownieLive]

Cool! Lucky!

[@Bruuj]

Very Cool video of our own city!

[@DownieLive]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mewtwofanmc]

This makes me love transit even more Thanks for the video!

[@DownieLive]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@skyangelthefan]

Mike, you sounded like a FA - Flight Attendant ✈️ 😂. Another, Great video 😂👍😂.

[@RockyFoxxowo]

After this video being recommended to me many many times, I finally decided to watch it

[@DownieLive]

Annnnd? What did you think?

[@sranproductions_]

Impressive! Love this video, you got yourself a subscriber with notifications on!

[@DownieLive]

Alright! Welcome aboard!

[@jgorge2702]

You keep finding interesting fun for all of us.... Thanks a ton Mike.

[@DownieLive]

You bet

[@silasdense4725]

Can't wait! Love the pic.....like an excited kid.

[@actemple3282]

I love to see all the cool back stage stuff ...really cool ...great job ...love the trasit center

[@katecarnes3624]

This is already looking interesting!! I Can't Wait!!

[@GJGibby]

Excellent! Your imagination and energy adds to this informative and entertaining video. I’m a fan; you’re a Canadian Walter Mitty. Lead on!

[@Brick-Life]

So cool. When i visited in sep 2019. i rode all translink modes except for the west coast express. Good thing you did not damage any vehicles

[@worldwidewackiestadventure8889]

I have watched a lot of 'cab rides' on the skytrain, and never knew that box existed in case they needed to be driven manually. They are like a swiss army knife, one trick hidden away

[@jeanraya8896]

Your videos always feel like I'm watching a documentary! Sweet job 👍👏 keep up the great work and thanks for sharing your experiences and awesome info 😁 also, that practice simulator training of bus driving looks like a lot of fun haha its like playing a game

[@RafaRadityo7]

I just got to vancouver for the first time and it is my first time seeing real trolleybused

[@owenchuarbx]

Thanks for showing me Vancouver's Public Transport System up close. - From Singapore

[@bizzihead4631]

Great inside video, the bus simulator would be good fun. Funny enough I'm a bus driver for Translink however that's in Northern Ireland 😉

[@pamdleve]

Can't wait to see how it works!

[@DownieLive]

See you Saturday morning, Pam!

[@eunwoochoi05]

Very informative and interesting video! It's very awesome to see a video about translink haha I always ride the bus or skytrain whenever I need transportation and yeah!

[@zaydabbas1609]

I've always been interested in the skytrain controls, I've seen a few vids on it but this one was definitely the coolest

[@jasminejohnston6393]

8:14 (Fire Alarm rings) HE DID IT!😂

[@mohammadzohirulislam8883]

need more rail travel videos , i binge watch your rail travel videos .

[@DownieLive]

More coming your way soon! I just got back from a week long VIA Rail trip in Northern Canada. It should make for 2 or 3 videos maybe.

[@mohammadzohirulislam8883]

@@DownieLive wow you replied , thanks very much and i am very happy that there are more rail videos on the way.A small request , can you make the rail videos a bit longer and talk with fellow travelers on the train ?, cos that make things a bit interesting. Keep up the good work and good luck

[@ajdeswart]

I live and breath downtown Vancouver. Love it here 💕

[@jymnmeier3527]

I absolutely love these behind the scenes/ how it works videos. Great job as always :)

[@DownieLive]

Glad you like them!

[@geoffwickens3871]

I have lived in Vancouver and surrounding area since 1968 (52 years .... 10 less than you AND your sister combined). I have lived in North Van, East Van, Kitsilano, downtown, Grandview Heights, South Van, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey for the last 11 years I have been in Chilliwack. I was driving a cab during Expo in 1986, The history of the city of Vancouver is fascinating. In fact, did you know WHY the Lions Gate bridge was built? In was built in 1938 by the Guinness family in England (yes ... THE Guinness family or the black ale fame) to help sell property in what is now ... the British Properties. In 1985, the Guinness family came back and paid to hang all the lights on the the Lions Gate bridge just in time for Expo. Mike, I LOVE finding new things about the city and it's secrets. I am glad I found your channel and have subscribed and hit the bell. Stay safe and thank you for doing everything the way it should be done (masks and the such). .

[@DownieLive]

I did know that! But you may have many more stories of Vancouver. Thanks for watching and hopefully I can find some things you don’t know about 😉

[@Peter-sg1lw]

you make a great ambassador for the city!!

[@sanyahikari7072]

The floating semi was the best thing of the video.

[@DownieLive]

😂

[@theronwalker2167]

This will be very exciting to watch

[@spredelectric]

Awesome video!!! Vancouver is really a world-class transit city with a wide-ranging bus network and SkyTrain. I'm so jealous compared to the city I live in where we are cutting bus service left and right - and not because of COVID.

[@dennisvarwig7672]

Very enjoyable again Mike!

[@althunder4269]

At the 13:58 mark you can see the split join in the Skytrain walkway where the original test track ended on First Avenue before the track was extended to Broadway.

[@cbronoord]

I love TransLink. the SkyTrain the most though. Thanks for this video.