One third of Metro Vancouverites ride transit every week.

We’re building a big, diverse non-profit organization to make sure those 1 million weekly transit riders are heard.

When riders have a shared vision and a shared voice, we can empower leaders to make transit fast, reliable, and abundant.

Here’s the thing – we can’t do it without you.

What we do

There are lots of other cities that have the nice things we want. San Francisco has far more bus lanes; Edmonton has a low-income transit pass, and Boston has an all-day regional rail network.

We have the power to fight for those kinds of improvements, and win.

After all, we ride transit at a much higher rate than those cities. That means we have far more transit riders to speak up.

Source: Yonah Freemark

And our transit problems have serious consequences. Buses are constantly leaving people behind because they’re overcrowded. Others are stuck in traffic, travelling 10 kilometres per hour.

You may have come home from a trip to Europe or Asia and thought “why can’t we have good transit like in the city I visited?” Here’s the answer: we can, but we have to organize to make it happen.

And there are so many other good reasons to push for better transit:

  • In Metro Vancouver, residents are forced to choose between paying too much rent to live near good transit, or paying too much for a car to save on rent. More transit means more affordable housing options.
  • Our streets are quickly getting more congested. The cities that have tried to solve congestion with more roads simply created more congestion. The cities that built transit are now the envy of the world.
  • Transit access is one of the key ways that people escape poverty. Imagine turning down a better job or a university course because the transit commute would take too long and you can’t afford a car. Faster transit can transform lives.
  • Transit tackles our region’s number one source of emissions: private cars.
  • Transit also tackles one of our region’s key sources of death: traffic collisions. You are far less likely to get hurt on a bus than in a car.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly does Movement do?

Movement empowers transit riders across Metro Vancouver by giving our community a strong, unified voice. We do this through political campaigns, community events, and expert-led seminars that build awareness and deepen public understanding of transit issues. Our work helps riders advocate for better, more equitable transit across Metro Vancouver.

Are you affiliated with TransLink?

We are not! We are an independent, non-governmental organization made up of a group of regular people who are passionate about improving transit in Metro Vancouver. We are not affiliated with TransLink or any level of government.

Where does your funding come from?

A majority of our funding comes from grants and donors. Every time you contribute, you help us organize grassroots events and spend time advocating with politicians to make transit better for everyone!

Why do we need to engage with multiple levels of government?

Transit in Metro Vancouver is shaped by several layers of government, each with distinct responsibilities. That means that when we advocate for better transit, we need to challenge all levels of government; federal, provincial, municipal, and TransLink. Each has a role in funding, planning, and delivering services. Improving transit requires coordinated action across all these players to make meaningful change for riders.

Federal Government:

  • Provides funding for major infrastructure projects, such as new rapid transit lines, bridges, or large-scale upgrades.
  • Can influence transit policy through national standards or funding agreements.
  • Supports programs that promote sustainable transportation and reduces greenhouse gas emissions aligning with federal climate policies.

Provincial Government:

  • Provides a significant portion of funding for public transit operations and major transit projects.
  • Oversees transportation policy and planning for the province, including highways, bridges, and regional transit priorities.
  • Manages legislation that affects transit, such as road rules for buses, cycling infrastructure, and transit governance.

Municipal Government:

  • Responsible for local streets, sidewalks, traffic management, and zoning that affects transit access.
  • Can implement local transit improvements such as parking policies and bus priority measures (bus lanes, signal priority, bus bulbs, and queue jumps).
  • Work with TransLink and the province to plan and advocate for transit services that meet local needs.

Translink (under the joint control of municipalities and the province):

  • Manages and operates the region’s public transit system, including buses, SkyTrain, SeaBus, and West Coast Express.
  • Plans and funds transit services, fares, and routes in consultation with local governments.
  • Oversees major transit projects and coordinates with the province and municipalities on infrastructure expansion.
How are governments responding to our advocacy?

Movement is still a young organization – we’ve only been around since 2022! Even so, our advocacy is already making an impact. We continue to build strong relationships with transit riders, partner non-profits, and elected officials across all levels of government and political backgrounds. These connections are creating real opportunities for collaboration.

We’re now seeing chances to help shape policy directly. One example is the Vancouver Bus Lanes motion, brought forward by Councillor Christine Boyle, which passed unanimously at Vancouver City Council. We’ve also shown governments that we can mobilize communities. Our Save The Bus rally united community leaders, political figures, and a large public in opposing a proposed 50% cut to bus service that would have left riders stranded.

These wins show that decision-makers are listening. Our advocacy is influencing conversations, protecting transit service, and creating momentum for better, more reliable public transit.

How can I support Movement?

There are tons of ways to support us, we’re so thrilled to have you! You can:

Consider joining our mailing list and making a donation:

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