NEW WESTMINSTER, BC — Just five years into service, the Canada Line is being recognized for its 200 millionth passenger today. Attending are federal, provincial, municipal representatives, TransLink executives and key stakeholders from: Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and the Vancouver Board of Trade, among others.

“Our Government is proud to invest in infrastructure projects like the Canada Line that create jobs and economic growth, and improve public transit for Canadians,” said Wai Young, Member of Parliament for Vancouver South. “The Canada Line is connecting communities, reducing commute times and providing a more efficient, environmentally friendly transit option for residents and visitors to this region.”

“Opening the Canada Line in August 2009 was a defining moment for Metro Vancouver. Since that opening, the line has surpassed our original expectations, now carrying more than 122,000 people on any given weekday, which is the equivalent to more than ten lanes of highway,” said Richmond-Steveston MLA John Yap. “The BC government will continue to work together with our partners to build innovative transportation systems that help get people out of their vehicles and onto transit.”

"Commuters and airport travellers have embraced Canada Line by using this high-speed train well beyond original expectations of its launch in 2009,” said Marcella Szel, Chair of the TransLink Board of Directors. “Developers have since contributed millions in private funds towards stations and nearby residential properties, ensuring a truly transit-oriented community. We are also very proud of the Business in Vancouver newspaper award our CFO Cathy McLay won for her financial oversight, ensuring Canada Line came in on time and on budget for the Olympics.”

“The Canada Line removes tens of thousands of car trips off our roads every day, and has increased transit ridership in our city,” said Mayor Gregor Robertson. “The success of the Canada Line in getting more people to use transit highlights the importance of investing in rapid transit both in the Broadway Corridor and in cities throughout Metro Vancouver.”

“The Canada Line was an instant success. It has consistently exceeded targets and ridership continues to grow, supporting Richmond’s Official Community Plan and the Regional Growth Strategy, both of which focus on linking new growth to transit access,” said Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie. “The Canada Line has also been a tremendous boost for our regional economy, directly linking Richmond City Centre with both downtown Vancouver and YVR, while providing new opportunities for workers, business people and tourists to move more seamlessly around our region.”

“We invested in the Canada Line because we knew that it would be beneficial for our passengers, employees and the community to have direct access to Richmond and Downtown Vancouver from YVR” said Craig Richmond, President and CEO, Vancouver Airport Authority. “Ridership has greatly exceeded our highest forecast and we're delighted that so many people use this sustainable transportation method and that the Canada Line has become one of the significant features that contributes to our world-class reputation.”

QUICK FACTS:

• The Canada Line is integrated into the existing transit and SkyTrain network, providing a link between downtown Vancouver to the City of Richmond and YVR. The train transports passengers along a 19-kilometre route, bringing them from one end to the other in 26 minutes or less.
• The Canada Line has an approximate weekday ridership in excess of 120,000, exceeding the original forecast of 100,000 by fall 2010
• During the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, 3.9 million passengers traveled on the Canada line during the 17-day Games. Highest single-day ridership of 287,379 during the Olympics. The system demonstrated remarkable resiliency and reliability as all 20 trains were deployed on most days, for the majority of the service day.
• The Canada Line is one of the largest infrastructure projects ever completed in British Columbia, and one of the largest Public-Private Partnerships (P3) in Canadian history. The Canada Line has proven its success through popularity with passengers and as a generator of economic activity.
• The $2.1 billion project was funded by the Government of Canada, the Government of British Columbia, the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority (TransLink), the Vancouver Airport Authority, the City of Vancouver and the City of Richmond, and was partially financed by the private sector partner InTransitBC. http://www.partnershipsbc.ca/files-4/documents/CanadaLinecasestudy.pdf
• Over the past 10 years, the B.C. government has provided $6.4 billion for major infrastructure projects in the Lower Mainland.
• Since 2001, the B.C. government has provided over $2.2 billion to TransLink for key projects like the Canada Line and the Port Mann express bus.