Did you know TransLink hires co-op students?

It’s true! Your friendly neighbourhood transit authority has opportunities for student interns. There’s plenty of students spending their summer helping with transportation planning, data analyst, quality assurance, maintenance and communications. I’m one of those students and I’m lucky enough to be working with the Social Media team! My work covers a range from writing articles for the Buzzer Blog, creating videos, live-streaming media events and scanning social media throughout the day. One of the projects I’m helping with is supporting the Transport 2050 campaign.

What is Transport 2050?

Have you seen our posts on social media or the dark pastel-tinted posters around your neighbourhood transit hubs with ‘Transport2050’? This is TransLink’s largest campaign to engage the community of those who live and work in Metro Vancouver on what they want public transportation to look like in thirty years.

Why is Transport 2050 important for students and youth?

Growing up in this age isn’t always easy, nor is being an adult. You’ll have to make some tough decision everyday. But how does a survey reaching out to the community for innovative ideas relate to you?

The campaign is more than just asking which routes need more service or incorporating washrooms at stations to make a daily commute easier (there’s already a customer feedback site and social media for that). We want you to help envision the future of transportation and what factors may impact the way we move in our region. As our way of life is adapting to the innovations around us, how we move with it should to. For example, let’s think about the impacts of global warming. If sea levels rise and flood our SkyTrain stations, should we upgrade the stations to ride above the water? Or should we covert our current SkyTrain cars into ‘SeaTrains’ that will travel underwater?  What about the concept of having submarines on what used to be our major highways? This idea might sound far-fetched, but flying men to the moon was a wild thought until the first moon landing in 1969. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

This affects everyone, so it’s important to have your say in how we will move and live in Metro Vancouver, which you can do so by participating in the survey. (Unless you actually prefer to drag a kayak around and paddle your way to work when global warming makes its stance.)

Where are we at now with the survey?

So far we’ve reached 1,600 ideas! If you know that participating in the survey is something that you’ll definitely be doing, but not sure of what ideas you want to submit, it’s alright to take time for your thoughtful submissions. The link will be up until September 22. We want everyone to include their original thoughts and values into shaping their vision for Metro Vancouver. But if you want to read about the updates, the most current one is here.

Where can we learn more about Transport 2050?

Our Transport 2050 team is out all summer long at community events and fairs. The next big event we’ll be at is the PNE from August 17 to September 2, so stay tuned on our social media for some special transit previews from the past, present and future.

Can’t make it to the PNE? Check out all the places will be at this summer. We’ll also keep an eye for questions and comments on our Transport 2050 Buzzer Blog posts too.

Takeaways from this experience

Spending my co-op term at TransLink has not only helped me develop professionally in a fun-loving team (looking at ^rw, ^sk and ^at!) but has also shown me how the company works with multiple stakeholders to provide the best transit service for our region. This campaign helped me gain real work experience by giving me situations to anticipate obstacles and coming up with solutions. It is a complex environment of changing demands from a fast-growing community, but now we need to figure what’s best for the region. That’s why the Transport 2050 survey is an important component to influence the future of transportation.

Imagine how Metro Vancouver will change in thirty years from now. A question I like to discuss with my fellow Metro Vancouver youth is: How might we shape Metro Vancouver’s transportation system to sustain itself for the generations after us? Let us know by filling the survey at transport2050.ca by September 22, 2019.

Be sure to follow and like our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to get updates on Transport 2050 and to stay connected with your friendly neighbourhood transit authority. Together all the way!

(Or if you have questions about what it’s like working a co-op term at TransLink, comment below!)

Author: Helen Huynh