Redrawing downtown Vancouver’s bus map

BETHANY LINDSAY (VANCOUVER SUN) Bus routes in downtown Vancouver are being redrawn, and TransLink is asking the public for input on whether the proposed changes meet the needs of the city’s growing population.

The revamp focuses on three areas: Downtown-only buses, Cambie Bridge routes, and transit along downtown’s eastern corridor.

TransLink has partnered with the City of Vancouver on the project, which began last summer with a consultation with businesses, transit users and other stakeholders.

“We’ve identified some promising alternatives for the future that reflect what people have told us,” said Brian Mills, TransLink’s director for system planning and research.

Those alternatives are now being presented to the public in a series of open houses. All of the options are available online on TransLink’s website at translink.ca/downtownbusreview.

Why do this?

According to TransLink, the number of people living in the downtown peninsula has more than doubled in the past two decades. Meanwhile, users’ transportation patterns have changed with the introduction of new Canada Line stations in 2009 and heavy development in Yaletown, Gastown and Chinatown. The city is also considering permanent road closures in the 600-block of Cambie Street and the 800-block of Robson Street.

What could change?

Transit riders have said they would like to see easier connections between the West End and Yaletown, and between Yaletown and Gastown. They also want downtown routes to be more direct and easier to understand.

How do you get involved?

TransLink is holding three open houses this week to allow the public to give their opinions on the proposed changes: Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Woodward’s Atrium; Thursday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Roundhouse Community Centre; and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the central branch of Vancouver Public Library. Anyone who cannot attend the open houses can give their thoughts in an online questionnaire.

When will the changes take effect?

TransLink hopes to complete a study of the options and decide on a recommended redrawing by the end of the summer, but the timeline for putting a plan in action depends upon funding.

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