Having been students at the University of British Columbia for several years, Andy Fink and his classmate Will are intimately familiar with the transit systems that transport students to and from the University campus. There is currently one rapid transit line available to UBC: the UBC B-Line (99). There have been whispers circulating about a possible light rail line that would expedite the journey from existing Skytrain stations to the UBC bus loop.
This led us to think: to what extent would the implementation of a UBC Skytrain line benefit both the University’s students and the community? Further, where would the best possible placement of this proposed line be?
With the implementation of a well-placed, strategic rapid transit line, we are hoping that we address some empirically observed problems currently surrounding the west end of Vancouver:
- traffic dependent route times
- rising real estate (and rent) prices encouraging more commuters
- lost revenue in Translink buses from people taking rides without purchasing fares
- lack of mass transit in Kitsilano (outside of the 99 B-Line)