In the Greater Vancouver region, transit and transportation shape how people live, and influence our patterns of commercial activity. Like many growing metropolitan areas, Greater Vancouver must find ways to efficiently and sustainably move people and goods through a changing urban environment. This is a central component of quality of life, cost of living, and economic growth.
Transportation is also identified as one of our region's major economic clusters. Given our status as Canada's Gateway to the Asia-Pacific region, Greater Vancouver's port, airport, and major roadways are of local, provincial, and national importance.
| Indicator | Description | Ranking (2018) | Ranking (2016) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travelled to Work, Public Transit, Biking, Walking (Proportion of Working Population) | This indicator looks at the proportion of the population that does not drive to work. | C 8/18 | C 8/17 |
| Average Travel Time to Work (Minutes) | This is the average commute time (to and from) work. | B 9/19 | C 10/19 |
| Public Transit Railway Network Length (km) | This indicator is the total length of the public transit railway network in km. | D 14/20 | N/A |
SURVEY: In terms of municipal government spending, what do you believe are the TOP THREE priorities for investment?
Ridesharing
In 2016, the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade released a report entitled Innovative Transportation Options for Metro Vancouver. It provides the BC government and local governments a framework for the balanced introduction of ridesharing and taxi modernisation. In 2018, the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade released an updated report Ridesharing and Taxi Modernisation: An achievable balance, highlighting the successful implementation of ridesharing across Canada. The GVBOT's recommendations emphasise the creation of a more competitive, safe and innovative passenger transportation industry, as has been done in jurisdictions around the world. Greater Vancouver remains the largest city-region in North America without ridesharing services. Continued delays unnecessarily hurt local residents, our economy, and our reputation with international visitors. If done correctly, ridesharing can complement and enhance public transit coverage by providing "first mile – last mile" transportation options.
SURVEY: Should local governments work with the provincial government to allow ridesharing (e.g. Uber or Lyft)?
Recommendations
The GVBOT recommends the Government of British Columbia and local governments within Greater Vancouver work to:
- Establish a new provincial regulatory framework which introduces ridesharing and provides residents with greater access to safe and reliable passenger transportation options.
- Review and update taxi regulations to enable the industry to effectively compete against new services and provide consumers with the benefits of a more competitive ride-for-hire market.
- Modernize and harmonize municipal regulations to remove unnecessary red tape and establish a regulatory regime which fosters innovation and competition, while safeguarding public transit.
Investments in Roads and Transit
In the coming years, an adequate public transit system will be critical to ensuring a high quality of life and strong economy within the Greater Vancouver region. The GVBOT is encouraged by the recent progress on public transit expansion and improvement, particularly the announcement of Phase 2 funding of The 10-Year Vision for Metro Vancouver Transportation. However, the GVBOT remains concerned that the quality of life for families, and the economic setting for businesses, will be adversely affected should governments waver in their dedication to meaningful, timely transit and transportation investments.
SURVEY: Which of the following transit and transportation projects do you think should be prioritised?
Recommendations
Build on the momentum created by recent Phase 2 transit funding with continued investment in road and transit expansion and improvements, with projects such as:
- Rapid transit expansion in Surrey and to Langley
- Broadway Millennium Line extension to the University of British Columbia
- 10-lane bridge to replace the Massey Tunnel
- Region-wide bus service expansion
- More frequent Seabus service
Gateway Competitiveness
Given the significance of our region's role as Canada's Gateway to the Asia-Pacific, developing the necessary infrastructure will be critical to our local, provincial, and national economic competitiveness.
Yet, growth cannot continue in our Gateway without addressing the capacity and resilience of our trade-enabling infrastructure, such as the Massey Tunnel. Trade-enabling infrastructure is of national economic significance, and requires all levels of government to work together to build long-term, sustainable capacity in our air, sea, land, and rail connections. Further, depletion of industrial lands could cut capacity at Canada's largest port, with adverse implications for the nation's economy.
Recommendations
- Support Greater Vancouver's position as Canada's Pacific Gateway by making strategic and appropriate investments in trade-enabling infrastructure; and
- Support the immediate inventory of industrial land in the region, and the development of a region-wide land use strategy which includes protection of industrial land within an overall economic strategy.