UPDATE December 25, 2021 Now that construction of the Broadway Subway stations are underway, and work on the tunnel boring machine launching area has also started, you may ask why I am still campaigning to stop the Broadway Subway. I am not.

But I still believe the an LRT, IN ADDITION TO the Broadway Subway, is a great idea. Please visit smartforvancouver.com for more info. Especially browse around on the interactive map.

What are the benefits of pursuing the LRT alternative, now that the Broadway Subway to Arbutus Street is underway?

  1. LRT can be built much faster than subway. So an LRT can be completed in time for the opening of the Broadway Subway in 2025, even if construction on an LRT is not started until 2022
  2. LRT is much cheaper to construct than subway, so an LRT from DOWNTOWN VANCOUVER to UBC, AND from DOWNTOWN to MARPOLE and on to NEW WESTMINSTER can be constructed for less than it would cost to extend the Broadway Subway from Arbutus to UBC
  3. If an LRT is constructed as I propose, passengers can transfer easily from skytrain to LRT at the Arbutus station in 2025, for a two-train ride to UBC. NO TRANSFER TO BUS REQUIRED.\
  4. If an LRT is constructed as I propose, passengers ALSO HAVE THE OPTION to transfer easily from skytrain to LRT at VCC-CLARK STATION, EMILY CARR U STATION, MAIN STREET-SCIENCE WORLD STATION, or OLYMPIC VILLAGE STATION. This option to transfer at FIVE different stations will reduce crowding and bunching, and add flexibility for transit operations
  5. For many travelers, choosing LRT will be preferable to Skytrain, as accessing surface LRT trains is much easier and quicker, especially for short rides
  6. Between Main Street and Arbutus Street, a CORRIDOR would be created with rapid transit options on the NORTH SIDE at 1st Avenue/6th Avenue, and on the SOUTH SIDE at BROADWAY. This would enable more development with less crowding and congestion
  7. Express buses serving the 99 line could be redeployed to other routes

If you look at the facts, not the government hype, the Broadway Subway expansion is an unneeded boondoggle that will cause more problems than it solves, cost more money than they’re telling you, and permanently damage livability across the city. It is far from a fait accompli, though they want you to think it is.

Read on to learn why it’s critical that we stop it in its tracks.

Costs

The Broadway Subway will:

  • Cost more to construct than allocated
  • Cost more to operate than budgeted
  • Have additional costs for trains and depot
Read why

Transit Planning

The Broadway Subway will:

  • NOT go to UBC
  • Not be finished on time
  • Provide excessive capacity in one corridor
  • Not address falling ridership due to COVID 19 and changing work and learning patterns
Read why

Transit Impacts

The Broadway Subway will:

  • Reduce transit accessibility and service in the Broadway corridor
  • Increase crowding on the transit system
  • Reduce or delay other transit improvements
Read why

Neighbourhood Impacts

The Broadway Subway will:

  • Damage livability in the Broadway corridor
  • Increase land costs and decrease housing affordability
  • Reduce rental availability
  • Cause excessive development in the Broadway Corridor
Read why

Traffic and Business Impacts

The Broadway Subway will:

  • Severely impact road congestion on Broadway during construction
  • Increase traffic congestion on surrounding streets during construction
  • NOT reduce traffic congestion on Broadway
  • Increase traffic congestion on surrounding streets
Read why

Environmental Impacts

The Broadway Subway will:

  • Cause excessive environmental damage during construction
  • Require excessive energy to operate
  • Increase reliance on subsidized, high cost, high volume, long distance commuting
Read why