TransLink releases Transport 2050 blueprint: A vision for the next three decades of transportation

The first full draft of Transport 2050, TransLink's transportation strategy for the Metro Vancouver region over the next 30 years, has been released. 

The draft strategy lays out a vision for the region’s future, as well as more than 100 recommendations to improve transportation over the next three decades.

Some key recommended actions over the next 30 years include:

• Quadrupling the rapid transit network by constructing approximately 300 kilometers (186 miles) of new rapid transit, such as SkyTrain, subway, light rail or bus rapid transit.
• Completing an 850-kilometer (528-mile) traffic-separated Major Bikeway Network to connect communities with greener, healthier transportation options.
• Promoting electric and shared vehicles such as bikes, scooters and cars.

“Transport 2050 has been our largest outreach for public input in TransLink’s history," said TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn. "Transport 2050 will transform the way we move and live, and it’s imperative that the region’s transportation future is guided by the people who call it home. We listened and put your values, priorities, and ideas at the forefront – and now it’s up to you to tell us if we got it right.”

TransLink is also opening its third and final round of public engagement on Transport 2050 before the strategy becomes final. Through the engagement process, TransLink is asking the public to voice opinions on the overall strategy and provide suggestions for improvement. Based on the input, TransLink will update the strategy before sending it to the TransLink Board and Mayors’ Council for final approval in early 2022.

“Our government is committed to a transportation future that keeps people and communities connected through reliable, affordable, low-carbon travel options," said Bowinn Ma, BC Minister of State for Infrastructure. "This includes investing in public transit, expanding active transportation networks and facilities for people who walk, bike, and roll, and supporting the development of complete communities that allow people to live close to where they work, study, and play. Transport 2050 will provide an important roadmap to guide us toward those objectives.”

This draft strategy was built through TransLink’s largest–ever public engagement, a two–year process which has collected more than 36,000 surveys and 4,000 ideas from people across the region at upwards of 300 in–person or online events. During the previous rounds of public engagement, TransLink engaged directly with Indigenous Nations, members of the public, representatives from all levels of government and many more stakeholders throughout Metro Vancouver. Since the beginning stages of Transport 2050’s development, TransLink says the government of British Columbia also has been fully engaged as a senior partner in support of regional strategies and actions that align with provincial priorities, including climate action, affordability and alternative modes of transportation.

“Transport 2050 will have wide-reaching benefits on our lifestyles in Metro Vancouver. Our ability to move around has massive impacts on our quality of life, climate change and our potential to grow as a region," said Mayors' Council Chair Jonathan Coté. "I invite everyone to continue participating in the Transport 2050 engagement process to make Metro Vancouver more livable, more sustainable and better for ourselves, our children and our grandchildren.”

The final phase of engagement began Oct. 12 and runs until Oct. 29. Members of the public are invited to learn more, complete a survey, or register for an online open house.