TransLink and Vanoc are urging residents and downtown workers to leave the car at home and take transit, bike or walk during the Games.
So while we are all urged to take transit, VANOC has 4,600 courtesy cars and drivers, who will be largely centred at the Olympic Family Hotel at the Westin Bayshore. At the same time cabbies are upset that while initially promised an increase in business during the Olympics, Vanoc has disallowed cabs from olympic lanes, have narrowed drop off points in front of venues and have made it increasingly difficult for cab companies to have a city road map indicating road changes at the last minute. To top it all off, Vanoc upped the user fares from YVR to encourage unknowing visitors to be duped into the extra fee.
The olympics, a celebration of amateur sport has been the most flamboyant display of gluttony seen in Vancouver – the veil of good will and sport is pulled away to reveal a very money hungry monster that has put a very sour taste in the citizens of Vancouver.