Delivering Excellence in Olympic Transportation
Vectour Group (formerly International Trailways) provided comprehensive bus system operation services to the Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee and its primary transportation management contractor in support of the Olympic Bus Network. We supplied over 500 vehicles and 1,000 drivers to support eight bus systems and over 150 routes. These routes catered to the Spectator Park & Ride shuttles, workforce, athletes, Olympic family, Olympic officials, and media for the Games.
To meet the fleet requirements, we contracted with 58 bus vendors throughout the US and Canada. Independent reviews of the Winter Games transportation system concluded that it was one of the best ever in the new Olympiad era, with ridership surpassing the 2,000,000 passenger mark. For the Airport Arrival and Departure system, over 15,000 passengers were transported daily between Downtown Vancouver and Whistler Mountain.
We worked closely with both the Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee and Gameday Management Group for several years leading up to the Olympic Games, adapting to changing needs and scope of services. Our responsibilities included bus fleet procurement, bus fleet allocation management, driver scheduling and dispatching, reconciliation reporting, and depot maintenance support. Additionally, our staff implemented administrative and legal controls to ensure all imported equipment and drivers met Canadian legislative and statutory law compliance.
Objectives
The primary goal for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics was to develop and manage a world-class transportation system capable of efficiently moving large numbers of participants and spectators across multiple venues. Ensuring compliance with international regulations and providing exceptional service were key objectives.
Challenges
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Large Fleet and Workforce: Managing a large fleet of over 500 vehicles and coordinating 1,027 drivers presented significant logistical challenges.
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Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring all vehicles and drivers met Canadian legislative requirements, including border crossing regulations.
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Dynamic Scheduling: Adapting to ever-changing scheduling requirements and managing a high volume of daily transport operations.
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Stakeholder Coordination: Collaborating with multiple stakeholders, including the Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee, Gameday Management Group, and various local, state, and federal agencies.
Solutions
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Fleet Management:
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Procured over 500 vehicles and contracted with 58 bus vendors throughout North America to meet the fleet requirements.
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Implemented a central command system to monitor and manage fleet operations.
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Driver Coordination:
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Recruited and trained over 1,000 drivers, ensuring compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements.
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Developed and administered a border crossing administrative program to facilitate the entry of drivers and vehicles into Canada.
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Operational Support:
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Provided supervisory staff to assist with the start of Olympic Bus Network operations, adapting to changing needs and providing additional support as required.
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Took leadership roles in the design and daily management of bus garaging and depot operations.
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Communication and Reporting:
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Established robust communication systems to coordinate between dispatchers, drivers, and event organizers.
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Created a daily reconciliation program to account for all vehicles and drivers, providing real-time accounting and detailed billing for stakeholders.
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Regulatory Compliance:
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Ensured all equipment and drivers imported into Canada met compliance requirements, including passport screening, vehicle permits, border fees, worker’s compensation, and insurance.
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Provided management staff at the US-Canadian border to assist with any legal issues related to crossing.
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Support Services:
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Provided operational input in the design of major garage locations and managed daily garaging operations.
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Hired lead supervisory mechanics and provided management oversight for garage operations.
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Results
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High Ridership: The transportation system successfully surpassed the 2,000,000 passenger mark, with over 15,000 passengers transported daily between key locations.
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Efficient Operations: Received high praise for the efficiency and effectiveness of the transportation system, ranking it as one of the best in the new Olympiad era.
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Regulatory Compliance: Successfully managed compliance with all Canadian legislative and statutory requirements, ensuring smooth operations and border crossings.
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Stakeholder Satisfaction: Delivered exceptional service, resulting in high levels of satisfaction among the Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee, Gameday Management Group, and other stakeholders.
