Newly approved strategy to guide transportation decisions in Metro Vancouver for thirty years

NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C. – Transport 2050 is now final after approval from the Mayors’ Council on Regional Transportation and the TransLink Board of Directors. Transport 2050 outlines a new long-range vision for Metro Vancouver and will guide transportation decisions for the next three decades. The newly approved Regional Transportation Strategy outlines over 100 actions or strategies to make transportation options more convenient, reliable, affordable, safe, comfortable, and environmentally sustainable.

Some key actions in Transport 2050 include:

• Quadrupling the rapid transit network with over 300 kilometres of new rapid transit.
  • This could include bus rapid transit, light rail, subway, or SkyTrain.
• Completing a connected 850-kilometre traffic-separated Major Bikeway Network to provide communities with greener and healthier transportation options.
• Promoting the use of electric and shared vehicles such as bikes, scooters, and cars.

Transport 2050 is a strategy for everyone in Metro Vancouver, regardless of whether you primarily drive, take transit, walk, cycle, or roll. It was built through TransLink’s largest-ever public engagement – a three-phase process that began in 2019. In that time, TransLink hosted more than 350 in-person or virtual events that resulted in over 160,000 conversations, 38,000 surveys, and 4,000 ideas. TransLink engaged directly with Indigenous Nations, urban Indigenous organizations, and over 500 stakeholder groups in 27 different municipalities. This included input from members of the public, representatives from all levels of government, organizations representing disadvantaged communities, and numerous others throughout the Lower Mainland and surrounding areas.

TransLink will next work together with the Mayors’ Council to develop a detailed implementation blueprint that will prioritize shorter-term action items from Transport 2050. That blueprint is projected to be released later this year.

More information:
The full Transport 2050 Strategy can be found here
The Transport 2050 executive summary document can be found here
Transport 2050.ca
Transport 2050 video

Media contact:
TransLink Media Relations
E: media@translink.ca

What people are saying about Transport 2050:

Kevin Quinn, CEO, TransLink:
“Quality transportation is the backbone of a quality society, because how we move impacts every facet of urban life. I’m proud that Transport 2050 will help make transportation more sustainable, reliable, convenient, safe, and affordable for decades. After the largest engagement in our history, Transport 2050 is truly a strategy created both by those and for those who call Metro Vancouver home.”

Jonathan Coté, Chair, Mayors’ Council on Regional Transportation:
“In the time I’ve served as Mayors’ Council chair, previous long-range visions like Transport 2021 have influenced so many of the decisions that built what you see around you today. Transport 2050 is our new roadmap to a more livable Metro Vancouver. I’m proud that through engagement, members of the public have led this initiative from the beginning to set us on an ambitious path to a better region.”

Lorraine Cunningham, Board Chair, TransLink:
“Transport 2050 will guide our path to a better Metro Vancouver built on transportation options. I’m proud of the work that was done to make sure this strategy is representative of the communities that it will benefit. On behalf of TransLink’s Board of Directors, we are excited to begin down this new path towards a brighter future.”

George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, BC Government:
“With input from thousands of regional residents, Transport 2050 is an exciting vision for the future of transportation and connected communities in Metro Vancouver. A better, cleaner transportation system supports liveable communities, and aligns with our CleanBC Roadmap calling for increased electrification of our transit fleet, expanded opportunities for active transportation and other transportation initiatives to meet out climate targets.”

Bowinn Ma, Minister of State for Infrastructure, BC Government:
“Transport 2050 will serve as a roadmap for the future of transit in Metro Vancouver. By providing sustainable transportation choices and creating opportunities for transit-oriented development, Transport 2050 is also a plan that will create opportunities for affordable housing, transit-oriented development, and urgently necessary reductions in greenhouse gas emissions generated by personal transportation.”

Andy Yan, Director of City Program, SFU
"Transport 2050 is a critical regional response to keeping the residents and the economy of Metro Vancouver moving. The plan presents an action-oriented vision to ensure that the region meets its goals in sustainability, vibrancy, and equity.”

Erin O’Melinn, Executive Director, HUB Cycling.
“Transport 2050 is an exciting and visionary plan for a transportation system that is accessible, safe and active. We are pleased that it includes key equity, inclusion and reconciliation elements and has a strong focus on promoting active transportation, including cycling. HUB Cycling is strongly supportive of the plan and the inclusion of 850 kilometres of safe and comfortable cycling facilities as part of the Major Bikeway Network. We look forward to continuing to work with TransLink and regional partners to build a connected cycling network, supporting policies and education that makes transportation cycling accessible for people of all ages and abilities.”

Dave Earle, President and CEO, BC Trucking Association
“The BC Trucking Association is committed to our environmental stewardship efforts and is pleased to see that Transport 2050 recognizes the role commercial road transportation can play in the fight against climate change. With over 90% of all consumer goods in the province being transported by a truck, our sector is a critical service provider supporting the quality of life British Columbians expect. As BC’s population continues to grow, so will the reliance on trucking, which is why we look forward to working with TransLink on supporting the goals of Transport 2050 with an emphasis on the environment and safe and affordable movement of goods in the region.”

Santa Ono, President and Vice-Chancellor, UBC
UBC and post-secondary institutions throughout the region are key drivers for our economy, active community partners and sources of both innovation and incredible talent. The regional transit system is essential to access learning, foster partnerships and advance discovery. It’s great to see a new vision for Metro Vancouver transit and transportation that will better connect our innovation, health, employment and housing destinations and improve access to safe, reliable and sustainable ways to get around.

Michael Schwandt, Medical Health Officer, Vancouver Coastal Health:
“Accessible, affordable and safe transportation systems are resources for health, enabling people to travel for work, education, services and social connection. The Transport 2050 strategy provides support for healthy communities by engaging with issues of equity and sustainability in how we move.”

Shayne William, CEO, Lookout Housing and Health Society
“We cannot underestimate the impact and need for safe, accessible public transportation for those who are struggling with poverty in our community. Access to public transportation for vulnerable populations dramatically improves their livelihood, providing independence and access to community both in terms of resources and connection.”

Anita Huberman, President & CEO, Surrey Board of Trade
“The Surrey Board of Trade, Surrey's city-building business organization, was actively involved in the Transport 2050 development process because transportation is a key economic foundation to move people and move goods. As Surrey becomes the largest city in BC, we look forward to working with TransLink to advance transportation investments, in all modes.”

Tom Green, Senior Climate Policy Advisor, David Suzuki Foundation
“Transport 2050 guides our region to reduce emissions and congestion through prioritizing electrified transit and providing alternatives to car use. It will help greatly to respond to climate challenges from this highly polluting sector.”