What are the provincial parties’ transit promises?

Advanced polls have opened for the provincial election, meaning you can vote to help decide the next premier right now!

Transit promises haven’t played a big role in this election. Movement is working to change this over time by demonstrating how much popular support there is for better transit, and by mobilizing transit riders to go vote. So go vote!

And if you ever get a chance to talk to a candidate, tell them that you’re voting for better transit.

What does Movement want from the province?

Here are the top five things Movement wants to see in a provincial platform:

  1. Fund public transit better – Transit can’t keep going from crisis to crisis. The current funding model is simply not sustainable. We need the province to create a long-term funding solution to allow for both stability and expansion. 
  2. Make transit more affordable – Metro Vancouver is one of the few regions in Canada without a discounted transit program for low‑income youth and adults. It’s time to fix that, so that cost isn’t a barrier to accessing work, education, and family across the region.
    • We hosted a rally this summer to demonstrate broad support for a Low Income Pass, and have gotten support from five city councils so far!
  3. Build the SkyTrain to UBC – It’s long overdue. Surveys show the UBC SkyTrain is just as popular in Surrey as it is in Vancouver – why? Because Surrey’s families are demanding the same access to education as everyone else. Two hours is too long to commute to school every day.
  4. Create a public intercity bus network – Many British Columbians are stranded in towns without a single wheelchair-accessible option to get out. These towns also miss out on car-free visitors from the big city, as well as international tourists. This could be solved at a cost that would be a tiny fraction of even one kilometre of SkyTrain. 
    • We’re part of the Public Transit Alliance of BC which has made this their main focus!
  5. Express bus on Highway 91 – With bus priority measures on Highway 91 and a new express highway bus service, trips from Richmond to Burnaby, Surrey, and beyond will go from 60+ minutes to 30. This bus would be faster than SkyTrain, even beating the car in peak times.
    • We’ve just started talking about this – you can read more about it here.

What are the parties promising?

BC NDP

  • From our list:
    • Develop a long-term sustainable funding model
  • Other good promises:

BC Conservatives

  • From our list:
    • Nothing.
  • Other good promises:
    • Increase HandyDART service

BC Greens

  • From our list:
    • Develop a long-term sustainable funding model
    • Build the SkyTrain to UBC
    • Create a public intercity bus network

CentreBC

  • From our list:
    • Fund a 15% increase in transit funding by 2030
    • Create a public intercity bus network
  • Other good promises:
    • Increase HandyDART service
    • Add six “rapid bus lines”