I’ve outlined the different options, but I highly suggest that you check out TransLink's UBC Study Site. Right now transit service is very unreliable along the Broadway Corridor with trip to UBC taking from 25 to 45 minutes from Commercial/Broadway SkyTrain Station.
Bus Rapid Transit
Travel Time (Commercial Dr – UBC): 33mins
Capital Costs: $350m (Diesel) $450m (Trolley)
Incremental Operating Costs: $-1m (Diesel) $-2m Trolley
Project Daily Boardings (2021): 75,000
Light Rail Transit 1
Travel Time (Commercial Dr – UBC): 26mins to 29mins
Capital Costs: $1.1b
Incremental Operating Costs: $-3m to $-6m
Project Daily Boardings (2021): 99,000-109,000
Light Rail Transit 2
Travel Time (Commercial Dr – UBC): 26mins to 29mins
Capital Costs: $1.3b to $1.4b
Incremental Operating Costs: $-2m to $-3m
Project Daily Boardings (2021): 107,000-116,000
Rail Rapid Transit (SkyTrain)
Travel Time (Commercial Dr – UBC): 20mins
Capital Costs: $2.9b to $3.2b
Incremental Operating Costs: $-3m to $-7m
Project Daily Boardings (2021): 137,000-146,000
Light Rail/SkyTrain Combination
Travel Time (Commercial Dr – UBC): 27mins
Capital Costs: $2.4b
Incremental Operating Costs: $-5m
Project Daily Boardings (2021): 145,000
Bus Rapid Transit/SkyTrain Combination
Travel Time (Commercial Dr – UBC): 32mins
Capital Costs: $1.9b
Incremental Operating Costs: $4m
Project Daily Boardings (2021): 138,000
Best Bus
Travel Time (Commercial Dr – UBC): 30mins
Capital Costs: $325m
Incremental Operating Costs: $18m
Project Daily Boardings (2021): 75,000
When I look over the different options, it really seems like Bus Rapid Transit is not going to be a good fit for the Broadway corridor and we are likely to be settling on some combination of SkyTrain, light rail, or both.
If light rail is picked at the preferred alternative, the stations are being planned without fare gates. This is because fare gates will substantially increase station costs and decrees access. If we are to see fare gates, it will be a political decision. Also, the stations will be designed to handle four-car trains.
One of the challenges that TransLink will have to overcome is the issues of parking. All of the surface-based transit options will require the removal of some parking.
Cross-section of Broadway from Alma to Arbutus |
TransLink first public workshop is tonight:
6pm - 9pm Vancouver Masonic Centre
4th Floor Jewel Ballroom
1495 W.8th Ave, Vancouver
Check out their website for more dates and for information on their online consultations.