Two six-week Olympic transit passes up for grabs! Image: TransLink
Written by: Julie Ovenell-CarterLet’s face it: commuting sucks at the best of times, and commuting in Vancouver during next month’s 2010 Winter Games is going to…well, let’s just say it’ll give us all an opportunity to practice our Pranayama breathing techniques.
The folks at TransLink want to get the word out that you really need to “know before you go” if you’re going to enjoy the party.
There are tons of rumours circulating about which roads are closed, which buses are being re-routed, how much it will cost to travel and who rides free—but for hard facts, visit www.travelsmart2010.com and get informed before you hit the road.
To inspire you to leave the car behind, TransLink is offering two TheseBoots readers a limited edition 2010 souvenir transit pass good for six weeks of unlimited travel in all three zones between the start of the Games on Feb. 8 ‘til the end of the Paralympics on March 21.
To enter, just tell me why you want to win. I’ll do a random draw on Monday, February 1 at 8 pm.
Update Feb. 1: Congratulations to Dee Anderson and Jen Sandri who each win a 2010 Olympic transit pass! Hope you enjoy the Games ladies! Check your email–I need your mailing addresses…
John
on January 28th, 2010I plan on being downtown every day during the games…so this pass would be great and mean that I could leave my car parked!
Larissa
on January 28th, 2010Who wouldn’t want a free transit pass? Especially a collectible one!
ariane c
on January 28th, 2010Hi,
I was about to head out to Shoppers to pick one of these up. Why would I love the pass? I’m hoping to take in as many community events in both Richmond and Vancouver, and am a big transit fan to begin with. This will surely be saved as a souvenir post- Olympics, so I’m entering and keeping my fingers crossed!
Did I mention I’m volunteering at Molson Hockey House? They won’t be giving us the VANOC-style accreditation pass that allows transit, so I’ll need it for heading to their venue as well.
Monica Hamburg
on January 28th, 2010I’d love to win because considering transit “free” would put my head in a different perspective when I ride (and wait for) the bus (read: more positive)
Stephen
on January 28th, 2010I’m stoked about the Olympics and will be traveling around the city as much as I can to take in all the events going on. I will be attending to a few events for the Olympics and a few for the Paralympics around town.
I’ll also be switching to transit for work during the Games since I work in Downtown – I live in North Vancouver. So, having that limited edition 2010 souvenir transit pass would be a big plus! Who knows, it’ll might actually make me switch to it permanently.
Joyce Lo
on January 28th, 2010I’d love to win because I want to visit all of the celebrations going on around town. It’d be great for my commute to work too as 80% of my route has been designated as a major artery for the winter games.
devo
on January 28th, 2010I am regular transit user and do not have very much money these days to take my girlfriend out on the town. I am also playing lots with my band which is all volunteer and the passes would allow me to get to the gigs and I could take my girlfriend to White Rock and that would impress her.
Jon Jennings
on January 28th, 2010There’s no way on earth I’m taking my car downtown during the games. This would be very helpful indeed.
Michelle Lam
on January 28th, 2010I want to WIN because I want to check out as many venues as possible before the games are over. I want to experience the liveliness the city has to offer and the world that Vancouver has brought to its city.
jonnek
on January 28th, 2010I wish i can win those bus passes. As with any person with a good sense, I will not be driving to downtown during the Olympics. I live in Richmond and the Canada line is an excellent means of travel to downtown during the Olympics. I also can party at the Olympic houses without having to worry about drinking and driving.
Bonnie C.
on January 28th, 2010I want to win the pass because my husband and I share a car and a transit pass, but for the Olympics, we each want our own pass! Please enter me in the contest. Thanks.
Zahida
on January 28th, 2010I would LOVE to win because I was supposed to be going to Mexico during the games on a business trip, and now I’m not allowed to travel due to recent emergency surgery. Since driving won’t be an option, this would make my life getting around my city easier on me, especially since driving isn’t easy for me for right now.
sophia
on January 28th, 2010It’ll be awesome to win so I can transit to work instead of driving AND enjoy the Olympics at the same time.
Thanks!
Lisa A.
on January 28th, 2010Who wouldn’t want a free pass!! It’ll be a much easier way to check out all the venues without the hassle of driving and finding parking…which will be near impossible anyway. Thanks!
Kristina Girardi
on January 28th, 2010I would LOVE to win those transit passes because I live in Burnaby and over the course of the Olympics I’m going to 3 shows and many free events in downtown Vancouverand will be taking transit down and would LOVE for it to be FREE!!
Jen Sandri
on January 28th, 2010I’d love the passes because I’m a transit rider, but not only that I would love to have a collectable, cool looking pass to add to my collection of not-so-awesome looking monthly passes. Of course being able to get to work as well as all the cool events would be great as well.
Jeff
on January 28th, 2010I would love to win a free pass because I’ll be riding the Skytrain during the Olympics downtown…during the recommended off-peak travel time! Thanks!
Candice
on January 28th, 2010I work in a psychiatric group home where I have to pay my own transportation fees. If I could save on bus passes, it could be better spent else where. I was debating riding my girlfriends bike from Main to Cambie to and from work every day since the congestion on the Canada Line will be hectic. Some of us still have to work when everyone else is partying. The mentally ill can not be left in the Olympic dust.
pam
on January 28th, 2010I’d love to win because I’ll be in town for the Olympics, staying with friends, and I’d like for them to have the passes both as a thank-you for putting me up and because they’re having a rough time getting around right now due to health issues in their extended family. It’d be an awesome and money-saving gesture.
Noah Bloom
on January 28th, 2010I’m pretty sure it’s a blessing that my car will likely be locked down in the downtown core and unable to go anywhere, so it’s Skytrain everywhere for me!
Katherine Chu
on January 28th, 2010I’ve lived in London, UK for two years and have recently moved back. While there, I lived the transit system, never once driving a car and I grew to love it. Recently I just moved back to Vancouver and I see all my family & friends drive their massive cars! I’m still one of the few in my immediate circle that take public transit. With this pass, I want to show them that you can get around GVRD and that it’s actually normal and possible to leave your car at home!!!
Also I’ll be downtown everyday to enjoy the games to the fullest, this pass would help out a lot
It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to have the games in our hometown so my mission is to enjoy and discover the city like a tourist!
Cheers
Mihnea Cirica
on January 28th, 2010I would like to win these passes so that I can bring my family with me to Vancouver to experience this one in the lifetime event, the Winter Olympics.
Katie
on January 28th, 2010I would love to win as I live downtown Vancouver and have to make it to New Westminister every day for work. I am planning to use transit.
Thanks,
Annemarie
on January 28th, 2010Well our car just bit the dust – not that we were planning on driving around much during the Olympics – so not only would transit passes be handy, but super fun Olympic transit passes would be extra fun. And will help reconcile us all to some serious car-free time.
Christina Wallaert
on January 28th, 2010It would be fabulous to win these so I can travel all over Vancouver during the Olympics without having to worry about how much it costs. I am going to Olympic events, but when I’m not, I’ll have to pay for transit. Since I’m already spending so much money to bring my family there, anywhere I can save will be a huge help.
Good luck everyone.
Deirdre
on January 28th, 2010I’d love to win so that I can get downtown for all the Cultural Olympiad events, and also the “houses” of all the different countries and provinces. Plus, I’m a faithful transit user, and 6 weeks of free travel would be lovely!
Teresa Komorski
on January 28th, 2010I want to win so I can get around for free.
Rachael
on January 28th, 2010I’d love to win the pass, to give to my hubby, then he can use it to go to the O Zone, the LiveCity sites, Surrey Celebration Site, the national houses, the Bell Ice Cube, Robson Square etc etc. He’s out in Pitt Meadows, and thinks transit is a hassle so this might change his mind.
Dee Anderson
on January 28th, 2010A free six week pass would make it possible for my son and me to enjoy many of the cultural events and international attractions that are happening in Vancouver during the upcoming Olympics.
James Chung
on January 28th, 2010I’m planning to check out the various Downtown venues during the games. I will be great to win a free Translink pass
Juliana
on January 29th, 2010why would i want a transit pass? One word….. VOLUNTEERING VOLUNTEERING VOLUNTEERING! I’m going to be doing a whole lot of that AND blogging at the same time. Trains, planes and automobiles…here i come!
Andy Huang
on January 29th, 2010I would like to get my hands on some collect-able Olympic item
Out of interest, does our UPass stop working during the Olympic break?
Julie Ovenell-Carter
on January 30th, 2010Hi Andy,
A pass is a pass–it’ll still be valid. The special Olympic pass is meant to encourage people who aren’t regular transit riders to get with the program!
Tyler F.
on January 30th, 2010It would be a good way to get around Vancity during the 2010 Winter Games. As well a a great keep-shake.
carolyne
on January 30th, 2010I want to win because I work downtown and was going to buy this pass anyway. It would be awesome if I could get it for free
Jason
on January 30th, 2010I will be working downtown, but I might want to go to a Walmart as well…
Chad Leaman
on January 30th, 2010Wow, cool contest. I would like the to enter for a few of reasons – primarily, that I’ll use it everyday:
When I bought my place in New West, I purposefully picked it a minute walk from the Sapperton Skytrain station, and look at it from my patio.
I commute via Skytrain every day for work to North Burnaby. I can get to work quicker on the train than driving.
I am taking the 2 weeks during the Olympics off to attend events, pavillions, shows and basically, enjoy as much of this once in a lifetime event as possible. My agenda is crammed with all the free concerts happening in Surrey, Richmond, Live Cites, etc – I’ve spent many evenings mapping out where to be. I’ll be on the trains everyday heading to the events and shows.
During the paralympics, I am using my work holidays to volunteer at UBC Thunderbird for the Sledge hockey. 13 days, 10 hour days. It will be a fantastic experience to participate in and help make happen. I’ll be getting there on public transit (which isn’t covered).
Thanks for the consideration, go Canada!
krystal
on January 30th, 2010Spending my time on transit durring the Olympics, who wouldnt want this? I’d stay on all day and talk with the visitors for two weeks.
Julie and Martin
on January 31st, 2010I want to win thoses passes because it is always nice to win something and even more when you know you are going to use it a lot. My husband and I will be downtown every day after work and weekends to enjoy the fiesta! We would also love to have a useful collectable item.
Julie
on January 31st, 2010I want win this special pass because it is always nice to win something and even more when you know you are going to use it a lot. I will be downtown every day after work and every weekend to enjoy the Olympics events and I would love to have this collectable item.
John Lee
on January 31st, 2010Well, this would be very handy!
I’ll be writing a daily Olympic blog for Lonely Planet during the Games and will be running around the city like crazy.
Cheers, John.
Jennifer Wah
on January 31st, 20101. Six years ago, my sister and I woke up our infant babies at the crack of dawn, and took the bus down to GM Place to cheer at the news that Vancouver would play host to this amazing event.
2. With 12 days to go, we are now planning our “hooky” days all over the Lower Mainland with our 4 young children, by transit of course.
3. When travelling by transit, I have more time to both read this excellent blog and follow your riveting tweets.
Thanks, Julie.
lisa stewart
on February 1st, 2010I’d love to win this pass so I can get to all of the events around town. I’d rather take the bus than walk, I’d rather walk than drive. Save my soles!
Jaegen
on February 1st, 2010I’d like to win so I can take back the one I’ve already bought for a refund
Vancouver Access 2010
on February 1st, 2010We plan on traveling between downtown, and the richmond area a lot so we can cover the various events and post pictures, videos and articles on http://www.vancouveraccess2010.com so this would serve many people…
Michael
on February 1st, 2010I’d like to win this. I will be heading out and around the city and it would make everything much easier.
Kathy
on February 1st, 2010I NEED transit pass!! I’ve been taking transit for as long as I can remember. Needless to say, I consider myself to be a valuable customer of the BC Transit system. As well, I have spent over $2000 in car repairs these last few months and there are still some problems with it. Therefore, I have no choice but to take the transit to and from work. I would really appreciate it if I win this Souvenir Transit Pass. Go Canada Go!
Paloma
on February 1st, 2010I’d love a transit pass so I can spend my days (not my money) trying to track down my hubby, Stephen Colbert <3.
Caryn
on February 1st, 2010Would love to win in order to get to the Richmond O-zone, the free things downtown Vancouver, maybe even the Surrey events.
Mayer
on February 1st, 2010I want to win because I don’t have any event tickets to cover the cost of transportation but I want to get around and enjoy the Games sans event tickets.