A study released by Translink provides new information supporting a subway as the rapid transit solution for the UBC-Broadway Corridor, with data showing that a subway provides the most travel time savings, greenhouse gas reductions, and would attract the most riders out of any transit option.

“Translink’s new report lays out a number of compelling reasons why a subway to UBC is the best solution for the Broadway Corridor,” said Mayor Robertson. “This data strengthens the case for why building a subway would benefit not just Vancouver, but cities throughout Metro Vancouver.”

The Translink report “UBC Line Rapid Transit Alternatives Analysis” began in 2009 and evaluates several rapid transit options for Broadway, including rapid bus service and light rail. It found that a subway:

• would slash travel time from Commercial to UBC in half, to 19 minutes
• would attract five times the number of new transit trips than an LRT system
• provides over 40% more greenhouse gas reductions capabilities than LRT

  READ MORE

Yesterday Mayor Robertson and UBC’s Stephen Toope released a new report from KPMG demonstrating the urgent economic need for a new subway line on the busy UBC-Broadway corridor. Here’s a summary of reaction from the press and social media:

READ MORE

The City of Vancouver and the University of British Columbia today released a KPMG study that shows the employment and population of the UBC/Broadway corridor will grow by 150,000 in the next 30 years and a rail-based rapid transit system is needed to meet the corridor’s population growth and significant economic potential.

“The economic potential of the UBC/Broadway corridor is tremendous,” Mayor Gregor Robertson said. “The health care, technology and life science sectors, combined with UBC’s research enterprise, set the stage for significant growth. We need a subway rapid transit system that will allow us to compete with tech hubs like Toronto and New York City and unleash the additional economic and investment potential along the corridor.”

The UBC/Broadway corridor, which runs from Commercial Drive to UBC’s Point Grey campus, is B.C.’s second largest business and innovation area and North America’s busiest bus route. More than 200,000 people currently live and work in the area and 50 per cent of the corridor transit riders currently come from beyond Vancouver.

READ MORE

Statement from the Mayor – 9 January, 2013

The City of Vancouver remains very concerned about closure of the Kitsilano Coast Guard Base. Vancouver is one of the busiest harbours in North America and depends on robust search and rescue services that are professionally-trained and fully-resourced by the federal government.

Two thirds of all life-at-risk calls happen outside of the summer months, when the Coal Harbour in-shore rescue boat will not even be in operation. Response times from the nearest Coast Guard base on Sea Island could extend past 30 minutes, putting lives at risk when each and every minute counts.

READ MORE

City of Vancouver staff presented an update this week on the urgent need for a Broadway Subway line. The project would provide rapid transit along the Broadway corridor, home to the second biggest employment centre in BC & the busiest transit corridor in North America. Here’s a summary of press & social media reaction: 

READ MORE

Today at Council, staff presented an update on the Broadway Subway line, which would provide rapid transit along Vancouver’s Broadway corridor. The corridor has the second most jobs in the Province and is the busiest transit corridor in North America.

• Staff made the case on why a subway through the Broadway Corridor (extending out to UBC) is the recommended transit priority for Vancouver. Reasons include:

• A subway is the only technology that can meet Broadway’s ridership needs
• A subway could handle 20,000 people per hour, compared to just 7,000 for a streetcar
• Transit volumes would double on Broadway if rapid transit capacity was added
• A Streetcar would require 90% of parking spots removed along Broadway, along with turn restrictions at 90% of intersections. It would also be at full capacity on day one of opening.

READ MORE