¢ Link to the future Have an idea for a story? Minews@theotherpress.ca e All about BC’s new travel restrictions e Everything you need to know about COVID-19 vaccines in BC ..and more Link to the future »TransLink is looking for input on how it will continue to build transit very similar to the cancelled Surrey- Newton-Guildford LRT line TransLink tried to build in the 2010's that was cancelled in 2018. Network B is a scaled down version of Network A in which the SkyTrain lines previously mentioned, along with a line connecting Brentwood and Metrotown in Burnaby stay as SkyTrain technologies, while the rest of the proposed lines become LRT or BRT. The proposed gondola to SFU—while not specifically mapped out—is included in both Network plans. Getting Metro Vancouverites to like the idea of LRT could be a tough sell. There is wide praise for the SkyTrain system, with it having the reputation as the best rapid transit lines in North America. When Surrey decided to go forward with its plan to end SkyTrain in Surrey at King George Station and Craig Allan Business Manager Dv: TransLink seeing a possible 20 percent ridership decrease post-pandemic, the transit authority is considering some big plans in growing the transit system for future inhabitants of the region. With the Metro Vancouver area set to gain an extra one-million people by 2050, transit will be an important infrastructure investment needed to help people travel around the region. With this in mind, TransLink has released the second phase Transportation 2050 (T2050), an initiative that is involved with planning how the public transportation company will build itself into the future. The first phase of T2050 is already underway, and that involves extending the Photos by Billy Bui Millennium Line to Arbutus Street, Network A would involve the Second Narrows Bridge and completing its, © the city eo LRT technology, and the Expo Line extension to Langley expansion of transit at both the SkyTrain, journey in North Vancouver. Soe Ee that despite the Centre; both are set to be completed by 100km, and Bus/Rapid Bus lines For other transit infrastructure project being fully funded by all three around 2025. With those projects already —_ (BRT), It would also introduce a new projects in Network A, while BRT’s are levels of government, and already under planned, TransLink is looking towards transit option to the region, light-rail being considered, they are also looking SS, the incoming Safe Surrey the future. Not just which projects will transit (LRT). For SkyTrain, some of the at the idea of LRT for some routes coalition party, led by Doug McCallum bea high priority next, but what kind of extensions being looked at include the including a line from the Pacific National aol fan ona platform re cancel the technology will be used to operate them. completion of the Millennium Line to Exhibition Fairgrounds to Simon Fraser LRT line as one of its major campaign To help decide this, TransLink has the University of British Columbia, the University Burnaby Campus, Coquitlam promises. They won the election m commissioned a survey and they are continuation of the Millennium Line Central Station to Maple Ridge (and October of 2oLe and cancelled the line in looking to the public to help them decide tg Downtown Port Coquitlam from possibly Langley), and lines to both their first session. what and where the next big transit Coquitlam Central Station (of which a Newton and Guilford. With Metro Vancouver set to Brow, projects should be. They are currently partially completed platform for that If the lines to Newton and TransLink wants to make sure that ie workshopping two options: Network A, station already exists), and a new line Guildford sound familiar that is because SWS a8 well to continue to efficiently and Network B. going down Hastings Street crossing atthe _ the technology and route would be serve the region well into the future.