TransLink recommends quadrupling the rapid transit network over next 30 years

TransLink is releasing the first full draft of Transport 2050, the region’s strategy for the next 30 years of transportation in Metro Vancouver. The draft strategy lays out a vision for the region’s future, as well as over 100 recommendations to improve transportation over the next three decades.

Some key recommended actions over the next 30 years include:

• Quadrupling the rapid transit network.
  • Through constructing approximately 300 kilometres of new rapid transit, such as SkyTrain, subway, light rail, or bus rapid transit.
• Completing an 850-kilometre traffic-separated Major Bikeway Network to connect communities with greener, healthier transportation options.
• Promoting electric and shared vehicles such as bikes, scooters, and cars

TransLink is also opening our third and final round of public engagement on Transport 2050 before the strategy becomes final. Through the engagement process, we are asking the public to tell us if they support the overall strategy and provide suggestions for improvement. Based on the input, we will update the strategy before sending it to the TransLink Board and Mayors’ Council for final approval in early 2022.

This draft strategy was built through TransLink’s largest public engagement ever, a two-year process which has collected over 36,000 surveys and over 4,000 ideas from people across the region at over 300 in–person or online events. During the previous rounds of public engagement, we engaged directly with Indigenous Nations, members of the public, representatives from all levels of government, and many more stakeholders throughout Metro Vancouver. Since the beginning stages of Transport 2050’s development, the Government of British Columbia also has been fully engaged as a senior partner in support of regional strategies and actions that align with provincial priorities, including climate action, affordability and alternative modes of transportation.

The final phase of engagement begins today and runs until October 29. Members of the public are invited to learn more, complete a survey, or register for an online open house by visiting transport2050.ca.

Quotes:

Kevin Quinn, TransLink CEO
“Transport 2050 has been our largest outreach for public input in TransLink’s history. Transport 2050 will transform the way we move and live, and it’s imperative that the region’s transportation future is guided by the people who call it home. We listened and put your values, priorities, and ideas at the forefront – and now it’s up to you to tell us if we got it right.”

George Heyman, BC Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy
“People in Metro Vancouver expect high-quality, affordable transportation options that support action on climate change and create healthy, accessible communities for everyone. Transport 2050 will contribute to the reductions in emissions as outlined in our CleanBC strategy. By aligning priorities – such as increasing the region’s use of transit and active transportation – TransLink and the Province will create a bigger, better, cleaner transportation system that will serve generations to come.”

Bowinn Ma, BC Minister of State for Infrastructure
“Our government is committed to a transportation future that keeps people and communities connected through reliable, affordable, low-carbon travel options. This includes investing in public transit, expanding active transportation networks and facilities for people who walk, bike, and roll, and supporting the development of complete communities that allow people to live close to where they work, study, and play. Transport 2050 will provide an important roadmap to guide us toward those objectives.”

Jonathan Coté, Mayors’ Council Chair
“Transport 2050 will have wide-reaching benefits on our lifestyles in Metro Vancouver. Our ability to move around has massive impacts on our quality of life, climate change, and our potential to grow as a region. I invite everyone to continue participating in the Transport 2050 engagement process to make Metro Vancouver more livable, more sustainable, and better for ourselves, our children, and our grandchildren.”