Stakeholders ramp up pressure on government for Broadway Subway to UBC

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Calling it a “historic agreement,” the City of Vancouver, UBC, and the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Development Corporation say they have come together to push for a SkyTrain line that extends all the way to UBC’s Point Grey campus.

As part of their partnership, they’re asking the province and federal government to both commit to helping secure funding for the line all the way to the campus, as soon as possible. The stakeholders are also vying for regional support for the project, which would extend the Millennium Line.

The 3 parties are asking for federal, provincial and regional support. — Mayor @kennedystewart specifically calling on Prime Minister @JustinTrudeau and Premier @jjhorgan for ‘at least a verbal commitment’ to further secure commitments and funding for the SkyTrain. @NEWS1130

— Taya Fast (@taya_fast) January 29, 2020

 

Original plans had the Broadway subway stopping at Arbutus Street, forcing students, staff, and anyone else wanting to get to UBC to take a bus after the subway line.

“Building SkyTrain all the way to UBC is a regional priority that will not only help connect academic and health sciences along Broadway with the rest of the region, it will put reconciliation into practice as we work in partnership with the MST Development Corporation,” Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart said on Wednesday, adding the agreement “sets a new example.”

The three groups hope the eventual connection to UBC will help improve transit around the Metro Vancouver region, as well as achieve a goal of more affordable housing, better access to post-secondaries, and increased economic growth.

The @MSTdevelopment, @UBC & the @CityofVancouver signed a Memorandum of Undedstanding to push for funding to complete the project.

The first MOU in Canada where First Nations peoples, an academic institution & a municipality are working together for a transit project. @NEWS1130

— Taya Fast (@taya_fast) January 29, 2020

Another benefit listed by the partners is reduced GHG emissions as people forego their vehicles for public transit.

“This [Memorandum of Understanding] demonstrates a great opportunity to show how interested parties working together can find mutually beneficial solutions and opportunities that ensure everyone is able to thrive,” the MST-DC leadership said in a release. “Access to efficient, safe and affordable transit is crucial”

UBC President Santa Ono also stood alongside partners on Wednesday to put pressure on governments and regional leaders. He said building the line all the way to the school will help make UBC more accessible, and help the university “enhance our teaching and research programs and deepen our community and industry engagement.”

Vancouver’s mayor is headed to Ottawa in February where he said he will raise the issue with decision makers to get the line built as soon as possible.