Long-Term North Shore Transit Vision

The North Shore Transit Vision identifies transit services and infrastructure needed to meet the North Shore's future demand. It responds to the slow and concentrated North Shore growth over the next 30 years, based on municipal plans. Click through the tabs below to learn about the North Shore today, projected population and job growth over the next 30 years, and the transit vision for the future. Background information is also provided on the technical analysis and stakeholder input process which together led to the creation of this 2040 vision.

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Population and Employment Today

The North Shore is home to 185,000 residents and provides jobs for 78,000 employees. Most residences are in concentrated pockets, with job centres located along the shore line.


Transit Network Today

The transit network consists of 32 routes that connect to three main transit exchanges and serves key transit destinations of downtown Vancouver, Capilano University, Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal as well as Grouse Mountain and the Capilano Suspension Bridge tourist areas. Three routes are part of the regional Frequent Transit Network of 15-minute service or better, all day, every day.

A growing trend is that an increasing number of trips on the North Shore - 60% - start and end here. Today, most of these trips are taken by car, with transit only representing 10% of all daily trips.

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The North Shore is one of Metro Vancouver's slowest growing areas, and not much is expected to change between now and 2040:

  • 248,000 residents and 110,000 employees are expected to be here in 2040
  • most growth will continue to be concentrated in core centres along the Burrard Inlet, from Ambleside through Lower Lonsdale to Lower Lynn Valley
  • existing density will intensify and few new urban centres will be created
  • more trips will continue to stay on the North Shore as the population ages and more jobs are available locally

The North Shore's transit vision will be designed to respond to these growth patterns.

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The North Shore's 2040 transit vision is designed to comfortably and efficiently accommodate a 50% increase in transit mode share, with improved internal mobility and north-south travel. 


New and improved transit exchanges

Transit exchanges will be well-integrated with surrounding urban design and land use to provide a high quality customer experience. Through transit priority measures, there will be higher schedule reliability and faster service.


Fast, frequent service

By 2040, service will be fast and frequent along major corridors where most North Shore trips are expected.


Expanded local Frequent Transit Network

The Frequent Transit Network of 15-minute service or better all day, every day, will be expanded to connect all major North Shore centres with each other and the regional network. It will provide high-quality, personal mobility throughout the day.


Supportive Local Network

An improved local transit network will support and connect with the Frequent Transit Network. It will provide connections to important destinations. There will be more direct and effective coverage throughout the North Shore. Service will be more frequent with longer hours as appropriate, particularly for connections to major destinations.

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Context and Current Conditions

(completed Sept. - Dec. 2010)

In Phase 1, we established a better understanding of the North Shore's transit network, gained insight about future travel on the North Shore, and gave customers and residents a chance for input. This review helped identify the challenges and opportunities for the future, including maintaining and growing transit markets, and supporting local land use decisions, which were considered in Phase 2.

Read the Phase 1 Summary Report for the highlights, or the Phase 1 Full Report for the complete analysis.

2040 Transit Network Vision

(completed Jan. - June 2011)

To kick-off Phase 2 work, we held two stakeholder workshops in January 2011, where stakeholders helped identify the transit needs, challenges and opportunities for North Shore residents and businesses. The results of these workshops, along with the Phase 1 analysis, helped develop a range of alternatives for a transit vision for the North Shore.

We evaluated these options using a multiple account evaluation directly linked to our Transport 2040 goals. We looked at their ability to meet the need for transit-oriented communities, sustainable travel choices, environmental protection, personal mobility, financial sustainability, network productivity and travel needs.

Read the Phase 2 Summary Report for the highlights, or the Phase 2 Full Report for the complete analysis.

Have your say!

Public consultation runs from May 18 to June 15, 2012. Join us at a community event near you or participate online to help us finalize the near-term transit priorities for the North Shore. Visit our Get Involved page for more information on how you can have your say.