72% of Metro Vancouver Residents Say Transit An Important Election Issue

While transit may not be the number one issue this election, 72% of people living in Metro Vancouver say it is a very important or important issue for this provincial election. Transit gives people an affordable transportation option and a way out of congestion.

The Mayors' Council on Regional Transportation, one of the two governing bodies of TransLink, recently released a survey on transit that was intentionally dropped during the provincial election campaign period.

The following graph shows sub-regional views on the importance of transit.

72% of residents believe transit is an important issue in this provincial election. Select the image to enlarge.

It is not surprising to me that the North Shore is where transit is flagged as very important or important by 77% of people who live there. I've taken the speedy RapidBus on Marine Drive and had the misfortune of being stuck in a car along that same corridor during the afternoon peak period. Transit is the only way to get people out of congestion on the North Shore. That being said, support is consistent across sub-regions in Metro Vancouver.

While people in our region understand that all governments have a role in transit service, they have flagged the provincial government as having the most responsibility for transit in Metro Vancouver.

Residents believe the Province has the greatest responsibility among all levels of government to fund transit. Select the image to enlarge.

This survey was done before the BC Unity Party disappeared, but transit is not a partisan issue. The majority of BC Conservative, BC Green, and BCNDP supporters believe that transit is an important issue in this election.

When asked if public transit is an important issue in this election, a majority of supporters from ALL political parties answered YES. Select the image to enlarge.

71% of people in Metro Vancouver are also concerned about potential transit cuts, which I posted about last week. You can learn more by reading the September 26, 2024, Mayors' Council agenda.