Burrard Peninsula Area Transport Plan

Area Transport Plans are an opportunity for TransLink to work more closely with local governments, Indigenous Nations, stakeholders, and the public to develop plans for enhancing bus service and infrastructure within specific areas of Metro Vancouver, while also addressing aspects of cycling, walking, and goods movement.

Area Transport Plans are informed by and help to advance the goals and objectives outlined in Transport 2050 and Access for Everyone. Together, these plans establish the region’s long-term transportation vision, overall goals, targets, policy direction, and investment priorities.

To view current and past plans, visit our Area Transport Planning page.

To make sure we understand the local area and its needs when planning the regional transportation network, TransLink divides Metro Vancouver into smaller parts called sub-regions. These sub-region boundaries have changed over time as the region grows and develops.

The Burrard Peninsula has seen a lot of growth since the last Area Transport Plans were completed (Burnaby/New Westminster in 2003, Vancouver/UBC in 2005). Today, many of the routes that serve the Burrard Peninsula study area travel across municipal boundaries. To better understand the changing transportation needs of this sub-region, we decided to combine the sub-regions of Burnaby and New Westminster with Vancouver and UBC. Together these municipalities and traditional and unceded territories of Indigenous Nations – including Musqueam, Squamish Nation, Tsleil-Waututh Nation, Kwikwetlem First Nation, Kwantlen First Nation, and Qayqayt First Nation – form the BP ATP study area.

• Phase 1: Issues and Opportunities (2023): During this phase, we asked people about how they travel in the area and studied how the area and transportation network might change in the future. We also looked at how people were using the network to see what was working and what wasn’t. This helped us understand where we can make improvements. 
  
  

• Phase 2: Priority Actions (2024/25): During the first part of this phase, we developed a range of draft actions that would improve how people move throughout the Burrard Peninsula. These actions relate to the bus network, cycling, and walking, as well as goods movement. Now, we’re asking for public feedback on these actions and how to prioritize them. 
  
  

• Based on the feedback received, as well as additional technical analysis and input from local partners, we’ll revise the draft actions and develop the final Burrard Peninsula Area Transport Plan. The plan is anticipated to be adopted in early 2026.

Area Transport Plans focus on a specific part of the region, whereas municipal transportation plans and strategies tend to focus on a single municipality, or neighbourhoods/areas within a municipality. We work with municipalities throughout the ATP planning process to ensure the ATPs support the transportation plans and priorities of each local area. This helps us make sure that transportation planning and investments align with what each community wants and needs. In addition, TransLink works with municipalities to ensure municipal transportation plans are aligned with bigger regional plans such as Transport 2050 and Access for Everyone

It depends on the nature of each recommended action. TransLink is responsible for some of the important actions and priorities mentioned in the plan, such as developing a new bus route or increasing frequency on a busy route to meet growing demand.

For other recommended actions, like building new or upgrading existing walking and cycling routes, it’s the job of the local municipality or other agencies, like the Ministry of Transportation and Transit, to make those things a reality. TransLink supports these projects through our Local Government Funding Programs which allocates funding to municipalities for active travel projects including bus priority, walking, and cycling infrastructure.