Mayors' council makes Millenium Line extension to Arbutus a priority

Plan for Metro Vancouver proposes 11 new B-line routes

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      The Mayors’ Council on Regional Transportation voted to approve a strategy today aimed at expanding transportation across Metro Vancouver.

      "We know we can expect more than a million new residents to arrive in Metro Vancouver over the next 30 years, so we need to take action now by investing in our transportation system," North Vancouver District Mayor Richard Walton, the chair of the mayors’ council, said in a news release today (June 12).

      "When it comes to protecting the economy, our environment and our quality of life, the highest price to pay would be the price of doing nothing.”

      Priorities detailed in the $7.5-billion plan include new light rail transit lines in Surrey, extending the Millenium Line from VCC-Clark to Arbutus Street, a new four-lane Patullo Bridge, and 11 new B-line routes across the region.

      Other improvements prioritized by the mayors’ council include 50 percent more SeaBus service, a 30 percent increase in HandyDart service, and a 25 percent bus service increase.

      The plan is contingent on funding including $3.95 billion in federal, provincial and partner government contributions, $500 million in increased ridership revenue, and a Patullo Bridge toll.

      The document also proposes new funding sources including reallocating $250 million in B.C. Carbon Tax revenues toward transportation in the region and a "staged introduction of mobility pricing on the road network".

      “The provincial government has committed that any new revenue sources required to fund the transportation investment plan will be put to a voters through a referendum,” Port Coquitlam mayor Greg Moore noted.

      Specific improvements proposed for Vancouver include new B-line routes from downtown Vancouver to SFU along Hastings Street, from Joyce-Collingwood to UBC on 41st Avenue, downtown Vancouver to S.E. Marine Drive, and Lynn Valley Centre to downtown Vancouver.

      B.C.’s minister of transportation and infrastructure asked the mayor’s council on regional transportation in February to confirm its transportation vision and to outline costs and priorities for projects.

      The mayors’ council consists of representatives from 23 local governments in Metro Vancouver.

      Comments

      6 Comments

      The real question is.

      Jun 12, 2014 at 4:28pm

      How much will a ""staged introduction of mobility pricing on the road network" cost everyone per year?

      Vancouver Brian

      Jun 12, 2014 at 5:17pm

      Serious question:
      Is there any research on a gondola system to replace the seabus and connect Waterfront to Lonsdale? They have these in Madrid, Singapore and Portland.

      Seems like with the cost of fuel, we should be looking for alternatives to ferries where possible. And you'd get continues service, instead of every 15-30mins. You could even have the terminus on Upper Lonsdale with a mid-station at the Quay.

      Hazlit

      Jun 12, 2014 at 10:51pm

      @The real question is

      Who cares? Higher taxes equitably distributed generally remind all of us of our responsibilities to one another. Wanna thumbs down me? Then you're voting for selfishness...

      Let's build it.

      Rico

      Jun 13, 2014 at 5:36am

      Vancouver Brian,
      I suspect the distance between possible supports would be way to far apart to make a gondola feasible. Just to account for the sag in the cables your station would probably have to be at the top of the Sears tower.

      Rico

      Jun 13, 2014 at 5:39am

      I guess the Provincial response makes it clear that they do not want transit. I knew Christy was anti, but I had thought Todd was trying.

      RUK

      Jun 13, 2014 at 9:10am

      That's a cool idea Vancouver Brian and you're right about the fuel.

      OTOH, the thing about diesel engines is that they run better on biodiesel, which is being made right here in Van and can be compounded from fresh veggie oil and/or used cooking oil. That makes it the 'green' option even without factoring in the 75% cleaner burn.

      It's more expensive than the dinosaur sludge, but we need old time petrochemicals for medicine, plastic and fertilizer, we should not be burning the stuff.