Phase One of Metro Vancouver transit plan approved

Written by Kyra Senese, Managing Editor
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Phase One of the 10-Year Vision for Metro Vancouver Transit and Transportation has been approved and is set to roll out in January 2017.  

 

The announcement comes following the Mayors’ Council and TransLink Board of Directors’ approval of a CA$2 billion (US$1.49 billion) transit and road improvement plan to be implemented for the project.

With the 10-Year Vision underway, representatives say the region is leading among Canadian cities in delivering a major multi-modal, regional transportation infrastructure program.

“TransLink is ready to deliver the services and investments in the Phase One Plan,” said Kevin Desmond, CEO of TransLink. “Our team has put in months of detailed planning and preparation. Now we are looking forward to putting this preparation into action, and delivering the positive change we heard our customers demand during the public consultation last month.”

Phase One of the plan is expected to yield noteworthy improvements for Metro Vancouver commuters, such as reduced crowding on transit and HandyDART—TransLink’s door-to-door, shared-ride service for passengers who are unable to use conventional public transit due to physical or cognitive disabilities; added service to areas that have not previously had transit options, addressing bottlenecks on the region’s major road networks and creating pedestrian walkways and bike paths. Representatives say the approved plan includes input gathered through public consultation.

“Confirming Phase One funding is a major milestone in delivering on the Mayors’ Council’s 10-Year Vision that will keep people moving across Metro Vancouver,” said Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson. “Phase One of the 10-Year Vision delivers the region’s biggest transit expansion in nearly a decade, kick-starting immediate and urgently needed improvements in our transit system while laying the groundwork for the Broadway Subway and Surrey-Langley LRT projects. I look forward to working with all levels of government to make the entire 10-Year Vision a reality.”

Phase One of the 10-Year Vision will be funded by a CA$370 million (US$275.8 million) contribution from the federal government and CA$246 million (US$183.46 million) from the provincial government, with the remaining CA$1.3 billion (US$969.5 million) of capital and operating costs coming from TransLink’s existing funding sources, cost savings and efficiencies, as well as new regional revenues including modest property tax and transit fare increases.

With Phase One set to roll-out in January 2017, the Mayors’ Council and TransLink will begin developing the plan for Phase Two, which is expected to be open to public consultation in 2017. 

“For too long, transportation investments have not kept pace with population growth, but with this plan we can begin to address transit overcrowding and road congestion. We’re responding to what residents have been asking for: better transit service across the region and moving forward on important infrastructure like Surrey-Langley LRT,” said Surrey Mayor Linda Hepner, vice-chair of the Mayors’ Council.

 

Planned improvements to be implemented during Phase One include:

 

  • 10 percent increase in bus service
  • 15 percent increase in HandyDART service
  • 20 percent increase in rail service following delivery of new rail cars (Expo Line, Millennium Line and Evergreen Extension, Canada Line, West Coast Express)
  • Pre-construction and consultation on Broadway subway and Surrey-Langley light rail
  • New funding for improvements to the Major Road Network
  • Expansion and improvements to cycling and walking networks

 

Metro Vancouver customers will begin seeing improvements to the system in January 2017, including expanded service on the SeaBus, Expo Line, Millennium Line and Canada Line. Further rail service increases will be implemented as new fleet is delivered beginning in late 2018.

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