TransLink adopts 10-year priorities, emphasizes Bus Rapid Transit
Metro Vancouver's regional transit provider adopted its priorities for the next 10 years last week. While some well-known projects like the SkyTrain to UBC and the SFU gondola were near the top of the list, much of the planning document is dedicated to smaller, cheaper improvements to the system.
TransLink's Transport 2050: 10-year Priorities document promises what the transit agency calls in a news release "an unprecedented increase in local bus service," with new or enhanced local service in nearly two dozen neighbourhoods, plus 11 new RapidBus lines and seven new express buses.
In all, TransLink estimates that its priorities represent a 130-per-cent increase in bus service across Metro Vancouver.
Part of that increase is intended to lay the groundwork for the introduction of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). TransLink says "up to nine" BRT lines could be developed in the next decade, though the actual total and timeline will depend on the support of local governments.
A BRT line is, essentially, a bus that operates as if it were a SkyTrain. BRT buses run on existing roadways, but in dedicated lanes separated from regular traffic. They serve stations, rather than roadside stops, with real-time schedule information and in-station fare payment.
BRT lines also have signal priority at intersections, minimizing the amount of time passengers spend stopped at red lights.
The planning document identifies nine "BRT candidate corridors" and calls for TransLink to "identify conceptual requirements, such as alignments, right-of-way and lane reallocation needs" for each of them.
The first actual implementation of BRT in the region would not occur until TransLink's 2025 investment plan, when two to four lines would be prioritized "based on which candidate corridors have strong local government support and high likelihood of successful implementation."
The transit agency notes that support from municipalities for conceptual requirements, "particularly road space allocation," will be a key consideration in the planning process.
The nine candidate corridors are as follows:
- Hastings Street, replacing the current R5 RapidBus
- King George Boulevard from Surrey to White Rock
- Haney Place in Langley, serving 200 Street, Golden Ears and Lougheed Highway
- Lougheed Highway, replacing the current R3 RapidBus
- Lynn Valley, Lonsdale and Downtown Vancouver via the Lions Gate Bridge
- Marine Drive Station to 22nd Street Station via Marine Way
- Metrotown to Park Royal via Second Narrows
- Richmond Centre to Metrotown via the Knight Street Bridge
- Scott Road in Surrey, replacing the planned R6 RapidBus
"The heavy emphasis on BRT in these 10-Year Priorities is for good reason," reads the planning document.
"While BRT does require reallocation of traffic lanes to dedicated rapid transit running ways, its lower cost means that we can bring fast, frequent, and reliable rapid transit service more quickly and affordably and to more areas of the region than would otherwise be possible with a rail-only approach. In this way our region can realize an almost doubling of the rapid transit network in 10 short years."
TransLink's plans call for BRT buses to be zero-emission vehicles with "spacious" interiors.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, Ontario police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Sports columnist apologizes for ‘oafish’ comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
BREAKING B.C.'s short-term rental regulations include $10K daily penalties for Airbnb, other platforms
Short-term rental platforms that violate B.C.'s pending regulations can face administrative penalties of up to $10,000 per day, officials announced Thursday.
Taylor Swift's new album allegedly 'leaked' on social media and it's causing a frenzy
A Google Drive link allegedly containing 17 tracks that are purportedly from Swift's eagerly awaited "The Tortured Poets Department" album has been making the rounds on the internet in the past day and people are equal parts mad, sad and happy about it.
Motion to allow keffiyehs at Ontario legislature fails
A motion to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh within Queen’s Park failed to receive unanimous consent Thursday just moments after Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiterated his view that prohibiting the garment in the House is divisive.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.