TransLink sharing its vision for how system will look by 2050

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — TransLink is sharing its vision for the next three decades, which includes a mass expansion of the rapid transit network.

The plan is dubbed Transport 2050 and it envisions the rapid transit network growing by 310 kilometres between now and then — meaning more SkyTrains, rapid buses and potentially light rail.

“The draft strategy we’re releasing today will make an enormous impact on the region. So I’m proud that it recommends the kinds of big and very bold changes this region needs to be more equitable, more livable and more sustainable,” TransLink chief executive Kevin Quinn said.

“We do know is that this region is growing, that it’s expected to have a million more people in the next 30 years. And we’ve all got to work together, we know that transit is essential to moving those that new million people around.”

As well as:
Prioritizing more streets for walking, biking, rolling and transit
Electrifying how we move https://t.co/qTx7sktYEZ

— News from TransLink (@TransLinkNews) October 12, 2021

Former Vancouver city planner Brent Toderian describes the plan as ambitious, and says he’s excited to see a plan for electric vehicles in the works.

“They didn’t jump right to electric cars, because actually, it’s really important that we think about electric bikes, electric scooters, because those kinds of technologies may in fact prove to be more transformative in the short term, as it will take quite a while to turn over an entire fleet of privately owned vehicles,” he said. “Frankly, too many governments are focusing on electric cars as the solution to better transportation. And so I liked that they’ve included it, but they certainly prioritize many things above it, it seemed in their messaging.”

However, Toderian hopes the money will be there to make TransLink’s goals a reality.

“Luckily, in recent years, we’ve seen both more money and more predictability of money — both of those are very important. So, what will make this plan real is the funding, and the funding largely has to come from upper orders of government, the federal government, and the provincial government. Because it’s when we get into these decades of debating whether local municipalities are going to be able to pay a significant portion of it — that’s how we’ve gotten into paralysis in the past.”

Related Article: TransLink reports biggest jump in ridership since start of pandemic

Andy Yan is the director of SFU’s City Program and his reaction is largely positive, but he says financing the project will be challenging.

“TransLink I think faces a number of challenges, especially in the face of this pandemic, but then also along with the kind of … stable funding over the period of time.”

This first full draft for Transport 2050 follows a two-year collection of over 36,000 surveys and 4,000 ideas from people across the region at over 300 in-person or online events.

The final round of public engagement begins Tuesday and runs until October 29.

To learn more, complete a survey, or register for an online open house, visit transport2050.ca.