Agenda Index City of Vancouver

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

TO:

Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic

FROM:

General Manager of Engineering Services in Consultation with the Director of City Plans

SUBJECT:

Regional Transportation Program Plan 2000

 

RECOMMENDATION

COUNCIL POLICY

Council has approved a Transportation Plan that requires transit to accommodate future increases in travel demand.

Council has adopted CityPlan, the Livable Region Strategic Plan, and the Transport 2021 Regional Transportation Plan.

SUMMARY

TransLink’s draft 2000 Program Plan proposes improvements for transit, major roads, cycling and other elements of the regional transportation system. Highlights include:

It is recommended that Council support the draft Program Plan in general as being consistent with the Vancouver Transportation Plan and long term regional planning goals.

PURPOSE

This report provides a brief outline of the planned actions in the 2000 Program Plan, generally intended to implement the first year of a proposed longer term TransLink Regional Strategic Transportation Plan (STP) (discussed in a companion report dated February 28, 2000). The draft Program Plan and STP have been distributed to Councillors and are available for viewing in the City Clerks Office and at TransLink’s Internet site.

BACKGROUND

TransLink is a new organization created by the Province and GVRD in order to give the Region the ability to plan and manage the local Lower Mainland transportation system. TransLink’s responsibilities include the transit system, the regional Major Roadway Network (which includes all regional roads, bridges, ferry routes) and related transportation responsibilities including transportation demand management (TDM), walking, cycling, goods movement, and AirCare.

TransLink has produced a 2000 Program Plan which sets forth improvements it intends to implement in 2000. The Program Plan was prepared concurrently with TransLink’s draft Strategic Transportation Plan (STP) which outlines transportation actions planned for the next 3 to 5 years. Both documents were received by the TransLink Board on January 19, 2000 and referred to a consultation process. The Board will be considering the STP and Program Plan for approval on March 27, 2000.

Transit Improvements

TransLink’s largest program is transit service delivery. It is proposed to deploy 59 additional buses and increase bus service by 5% or 175,000 new service hours over 1999 levels. The objectives include providing new services to attract additional riders and taking steps to retain existing riders by addressing overcrowding and poor schedule reliability. Another focus is improving travel times so transit can be more competitive with the automobile.

There are many transit service improvements of interest to Vancouver, including:

At this time, many of the details of the new proposals discussed above are not available and will be developed as part of introducing the services through the quarterly service plans. Staff will work with TransLink on proposed changes and the timing of implementation, and report back if necessary.

Bicycles

An important part of TransLink’s regional transportation mandate is to encourage bicycles as an alternative to the single occupant automobile. To this end, TransLink is introducing a new capital program to cost share with municipalities significant cycling facilities on the regional bicycle network. As well TransLink is continuing its program to install bike racks and lockers in order to encourage longer distance trips bicycle/ transit trips. This year's program includes adding racks on buses for the diesel routes servicing Vancouver including the #100 Airport/New Westminster Station (via South West Marine) service. The target is to have eventually the entire bus fleet equipped with bike racks. TransLink’s planned incremental expenditure for bicycles this year is $1.7 million.

Transportation Demand Management (TDM)

TransLink’s TDM program is intended to increase the use of alternative transportation modes. A total of over $1.2 million in new program initiatives are proposed to expand and promote rideshare services and expand employer programs.

Major Road Network (MRN)

The MRN consists of regional roads that carry significant volumes of traffic and provide connections between regional land uses. The MRN is co-managed by TransLink and the municipalities. Decisions on funding, planning and development of the network are co-ordinated by TransLink through the Major Roads Technical Advisory Committee (MRTAC) which consists of TransLink and municipal representatives.

New investments in MRN infrastructure are included in the Program Plan. The improvements are designed to improve the safety and efficiency of general traffic, buses, and goods movement, as well as achieve operating advantages and cost savings for Transit. MRN capital funding is planned under the following categories:

DISCUSSION

In the past, City staff reported to Council on regional transportation issues that affected the City in order to provide an opportunity for Council to comment and influence the decisions that were being made by the agency or government involved. For example, regarding transit, Council reviewed BC Transit’s annual transit service plan each year. Now that TransLink has taken over the regional transportation function, it is appropriate that Council review TransLink’s plans prior to approval by the TransLink Board.

The 2000 Program Plan would provide significant improvements in transportation services required by the Region to achieve longer term transportation goals, including increased transit use and decreased reliance on the automobile. The Program Plan is consistent with the City of Vancouver Transportation Plan goals, with favourable elements including:

It is recommended that Council support in general the draft Program Plan document. Funding for the Program Plan is covered in the STP.

PROCESS FOR DEVELOPING ANNUAL PROGRAM PLANS

The elements of the Program Plan were developed with input from sources including the draft STP process, municipal staff and Councils, and public consultation. In addition, TransLink has been conducting Area Transit Planing processes in various municipalities using consultants and significant other resources. Processes are currently being completed for the North Shore, South of the Fraser, and in Richmond. This year, Area Transit Plans will be conducted in Burnaby, New Westminster and the North East Sector.

Vancouver, as per the Vancouver Transportation Plan, will have its own transportation planning processes underway shortly:

With all the projects generated throughout the Region in competition for limited new funding, TransLink is proceeding to improve the comprehensive analytical and consultative processes necessary to make decisions regarding new service allocations. Municipal staff will continue to assist TransLink with this task.

* * * * *


tt000314.htm


Comments or questions? You can send us email.
[City Homepage] [Get In Touch]

(c) 1998 City of Vancouver