Editor:
Re: SkyTrain works, but only in areas with enough people, letter to the editor, July 20
To evaluate SkyTrain properly it must pass comparison tests. Montreal had its subway running on quiet rubber tires for Expo 67.
In comparison, the Canada Line from Richmond screeches its steel wheels on steel track, deafening riders on the curves.
Circa 1965, New York Transit learned that its elevated subway didn't screech on curves on rainy days. From that observation it was found that a simple garden hose sprayer eliminated the annoying sound completely. Are you listening SkyTrain brass, or is there ringing in your ears?
The system that most closely parallels SkyTrain is Washington DC's Metro system. It, too, is an automated system but there the similarities end.
The large number of undesirables found in DC is kept at bay with superb fencing, gates and turnstiles, and visible police.
My work used to take me to DC some six times a year but I never had any qualms about travelling on the Metro. I wish I could say that about SkyTrain.
