Richmond / Airport - Vancouver Rapid Transit Project



	Who's responsible for this work?
	What is the Richmond/Airport - Vancouver Rapid Transit Study?
	What are the Study goals?
	Why are we doing this now?
	Will this Study choose a 'route' and 'technology?'
	Who decides... and when?
	What is 'Rapid Transit'?
	When will this line be built?
	How long will this rapid transit line be?
	How long will it take to travel to Richmond, the Airport, or Downtown using rapid transit?
	Is this rapid transit line part of the "Millenium Line" project?
	How much will it cost?
	Who's going to pay for it?
	Isn't there a 'rapid transit' service already connecting Richmond, the Airport and downtown Vancouver?
	How do I find out more?
	How do I give my opinion?


	Who's responsible for this work? The Study has 8 participants: TransLink (lead agency); Transport Canada; the Airport; the Province of BC; GVRD; the Cities of Richmond and Vancouver; and the Vancouver Port. These agencies direct a Study Team, which consists of a Director, Technical Manager, an Environmental and Transportation Planner, and support staff. The Study Team hires additional planners, engineers and financial advisors to provide expertise in specific areas.

	What is the Richmond/Airport - Vancouver Rapid Transit Study? Governments have expressed interest in a rail-based rapid transit line connecting Richmond to downtown Vancouver. In addition, the Airport and others are interested in connecting rapid transit to the Airport. This Study will assess whether there is a need to build a rapid transit line that connects Richmond, Vancouver and the Airport in the next 10 years. To make that decision, the Study will compare the costs and benefits of building a rapid transit line (including environmental, social, financial, land use and transportation costs and benefits) by 2010 versus waiting until 2021 or later.
	What are the Study goals? The goals are to: Provide the Study participants with accurate and objective information to assist them in deciding whether or not to pursue building this line in the next decade. Describe a 'vision' of the future for both the region and corridor (with and without rapid transit), so we understand the role of rapid transit in that 'vision.'
	Why are we doing this now? There are numerous reasons for initiating this study: A Richmond-Vancouver rapid transit link has been part of regional planning policy since 1980; it is an important component of the GVRD's Livable Region Strategic Plan and TransLink's Strategic Transportation Plan. Employment centres in Richmond, Vancouver and the Airport are expanding quickly. Congestion along the Richmond/Airport - Vancouver corridor is getting worse. Transportation is the single largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada. Passenger cars and light trucks account for nearly half of that total. Improving transportation choices is a key element of Canada's long-term strategy to reduce climate changing greenhouse gas emissions and local air pollution. Over the long term, an efficient road and transit system will play a critical role in Greater Vancouver's success as Canada's Pacific Gateway.
	Will this Study choose a 'route' and 'technology?' No. This Study will only investigate the 'range' of costs and benefits of building a rapid transit line in 2010 versus 2021 or later. As illustrations to describe the costs and benefits, the Study will consider two approximate routes through the corridor (Downtown/Arbutus/No. 3 Road and Downtown/Cambie/No. 3 Road) and two rail-based technologies (street-level Light Rail Transit and SkyTrain - generally in a tunnel or "trench", except where tunnelling is not possible).
	Who decides... and when? The initial evaluation work will be complete in February. During the Spring, the Study Team will be asking the community what it thinks of the evaluation and the role rapid transit may play in the future of the corridor and region. At the end of the public consultation, the eight participants, with input from the public, will consider whether to continue to pursue a rapid transit line by 2010. This decision is expected to be made by late Spring 2001.
	What is 'Rapid Transit'? For the purposes of this study, "Rapid Transit" is defined as rail-based technologies - that is, trains - that are separated from traffic and thus faster than the existing bus service. Two rail-based technologies are considered in this study: on-street (though not "in" traffic) Light Rail Transit (as seen in Calgary, Portland and throughout Europe), and Automated Light Rail Transit (such as SkyTrain, as seen in Vancouver, New York, and Malaysia), which, for our study, is generally in a tunnel or "trench", except where tunnelling is not possible.
	When will this line be built? This Study is intended to provide the Study participants with information so that they can decide, with input from the community, whether to pursue building the line by 2010. If they decide to proceed, it would be with the intention that a Richmond/Airport - Vancouver rapid transit line will be planned and construction would begin in the next few years so that it will be running by 2010.
	*How long will this rapid transit line be?* The approximate length of the line - including the Airport link - is 20 kilometres, depending on the route and technology that are ultimately chosen.
	How long will it take to travel to Richmond, the Airport, or Downtown using rapid transit? The approximate travel time from Richmond or the Airport to downtown Vancouver is in the range of 20 - 35 minutes. This estimate depends on the route and technology that are ultimately chosen.
	Is this rapid transit line part of the "Millenium Line" project? No. The Millenium Line is the east-west extension of SkyTrain. It connects Vancouver Community College (Vancouver) to Lougheed Mall (Burnaby) and Columbia Station (New Westminster). The Millenium Line is managed by "Rapid Transit Project 2000 Ltd." - a Provincial agency responsible for the planning, design, and building of the line. It is currently under construction and is planned to be in operation by 2002.
	How much will it cost? Not exactly sure. At the end of this phase we will have a very general estimate of a range of costs for this rapid transit line - depending on the route and technology that are ultimately chosen.
	Who's going to pay for it? Not sure yet Phase 2 of this Study will not determine who will pay for this rapid transit line. However, all of the Study participants are considering this question. In addition, TransLink, as well as the Project Team, are exploring other ways to finance the line, including the potential involvement of the private sector.
	Isn't there a 'rapid transit' service already connecting Richmond, the Airport and downtown Vancouver? Yes... and No. TransLink will be officially launching the '98 B-Line' bus service between Richmond and downtown Vancouver, with a link to the 'Airport Station,' in Spring 2001. However, though this is considered an express bus service, the 98 B-Line will operate 'in traffic' and is thus not as fast as, nor does it have the capacity of, a traffic-separated bus or rapid transit train. For our work, we are assuming TransLink will improve and expand the 98 B-Line service along this route, including various degrees of traffic separation. We will then compare the costs and benefits of rail-based rapid transit to this B-Line bus service over the next 30 years.
	How do I find out more? Participate in our: open houses.. and other public events. all coming to a Neighbourhood near you in Spring 2001 (stay tuned for advertisements in local newspapers or visit our website).
	How do I give my opinion? Complete our on-line survey Email us Come to an open house, workshop or other public event Mail your comments to: Richmond/Airport - Vancouver Rapid Transit Project #150-5840 Cedarbridge Way Richmond, BC V6X 2A7 Phone: (604) 232-9409 Fax: (604) 232-9419