Area Transit Plan Program Overview
An area transit plan is a plan for one sub-area of the Metro Vancouver region which identifies both the long-term (approximately 30-year) vision and the near-term priorities for that area's transit network, as it fits within the broader regional transit network.
Why Area Transit Plans are Important
An area transit plan coordinates an area's transit planning with its land-use planning* and future growth in a way which will:
*Land-use planning and zoning (as well as sidewalks, lighting, bus shelters and other transportation infrastructure) are the responsibility of the local municipality.
The importance of well coordinated land-use and transit planning is discussed in TransLink's Transit-Oriented Communities section.
Area Transit Plan Sub-Areas
Area transit plans are completed for each of the following seven sub-area transit networks within the Metro Vancouver transit network:
- Burnaby/New Westminster
- Northeast Sector
- North Shore
- Pitt Meadows/Maple Ridge
- Richmond
- South of Fraser
- Vancouver/UBC
Some of these sub-areas involve multiple municipalities and/or electoral areas; others involve just one or two, depending on sub-area transit and travel patterns.
Developing an Area Transit Plan
Area transit plans are led by TransLink with the close engagement of the public, key stakeholders, front-line transit employees, as well as the municipalities and elected officials within that sub-area.
Input received is supplemented by demographic and transportation-related data findings (census, Regional Trip Diary Survey, automated passenger counts, etc.) to inform decision-making.
How Area Transit Plans Work
An area transit plan is typically developed over a minimum 18-month period (depending on the number of municipalities for that sub-area), and across four phases:
- Phase 1 – Issues and opportunities
- Phase 2 – Long-term vision
- Phase 3 – Near-term priorities
- Phase 4 – Annual monitoring and reporting
The near-term transit priorities identified in the plan are meant to be the first projects considered for implementation for that sub-area. These priorities are considered along with other regional transit priorities in Metro Vancouver as funding becomes available for regional network expansion.
This process takes place annually in the planning for TransLink's 10-Year Transportation and Financial Plan. Some priority projects may also be implemented through ongoing Service Optimization.