“Yes” Vote for Mayors’ Plan Would Kick-Start Transportation Benefits in 2016
with Five Immediate Improvements
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 29, 2015
Vancouver, BC – Metro Vancouver residents will start to benefit from region-wide transit and
transportation improvements within the first year of a “Yes” vote.
The Mayors‟ Transportation and Transit Plan would begin to deliver real travel improvements starting next
year, and would continue to add ongoing improvements over the next decade, helping people across the
region get where they need to go more quickly, conveniently and reliably within months of a positive
outcome.
“The first phase of the Mayors‟ Plan will result in early benefits for people all across our region, including
more frequent and expanded service on buses, SkyTrain, late-night transit and SeaBus in year one – but
only voting „yes‟ can make it happen,” said Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson, Chair of the Mayors‟
Council.
A “yes” vote would increase service on existing trains and buses, helping customers save time and enjoy
more schedule choices and convenience quickly.
Improvements slated for 2016 include:
1. Improved SkyTrain service: more frequent service on the Expo and Millennium lines, especially on
weekends and holidays and more Canada Line service.
2. Expanded NightBus service with more frequent buses and service later into the night and early
morning on busy routes such as N19 Surrey Central, N20 Victoria and N35 SFU.
3. More SeaBus sailings, with departures every 15 minutes throughout the day, seven days per week
all year long.
4. More HandyDART service to increase availability and reduce wait times for persons with mobility
needs
5. More frequent bus service across the region to reduce wait times and crowding, during the middle
of the day, in the evening, and on weekends and holidays
“I‟ve been speaking with people from across the region about their transportation and transit challenges,
and how the Mayors‟ Plan will help,” said Mayors‟ Council Vice Chair and Surrey Mayor Linda Hepner.
“I‟ve noticed that few people realize just how quickly many of the improvements will happen. More
frequent buses, SkyTrain and SeaBus means not only better service for existing transit users, but that
more and more people have the choice to take transit, which means less cars and congestion on the
road.”
In addition to increased and improved service from the existing transit fleet, a positive outcome would
trigger ordering of new buses, SkyTrain cars, West Coast Express vehicles and HandyDART shuttles.
New buses and rail cars would be put into service beginning in 2018 to further expand transit service and
introduce new services in communities across the region.
Other near-term initiatives include working with local municipalities to advance high-priority projects to
upgrade major road to help people, goods and services get where they need to go more quickly,
predictably and safely.
Identification and planning of walking and cycling improvements would also get underway in 2016.
A “yes” vote for the Mayors‟ Plan would save families time and money; keep our air and environment
clean, and help keep goods and services moving across the region. These benefits would begin in 2016,
almost immediately after a positive vote for better transit and transportation services and would expand
as the Plan is built out, creating thousands of jobs and an economic boost for all communities.
A “no” vote would increase congestion creating gridlock on roads and transit, increase travel time and
costs, and stall jobs and our economy.
Vote “yes” when you receive your voting package and please make sure to mail your ballot as soon as
possible. Voting period closes on May 29, 2015 at 8 p.m. To learn more about the voting process, visit
www.elections.bc.ca/plebiscite.
For more information on the Mayors‟ Plan, visit www.mayorscouncil.ca.
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Immediate Transportation and Transit Improvements in the Mayors’ Plan:
Backgrounder
A “yes” vote for the Mayors‟ Plan would create real and near-term time savings and convenience for
commuters and other travellers across the region, starting in 2016 and building out over the coming
decade.
Providing more service from existing Buses, SkyTrain, SeaBus, HandyDART:
In 2016, customers would begin to enjoy expanded hours and more frequent service from the existing
transit fleet of buses, SkyTrain and SeaBus. This would result in immediate travel time savings, fewer
pass-ups and increased choice across our region. This includes:

Expanded rail service, to reduce wait times and crowding and improve travel times:
 More frequent Expo Line and Millennium Line service, especially on weekends and holidays
 Additional Canada Line service during weekday rush hours

Expanded NightBus service, with more capacity and service later into the night and early morning on
busy routes such as N19 Surrey Central, N20 Victoria and N35 SFU

Additional SeaBus sailings – departures every 15 minutes throughout the day, seven days per week,
all year long (currently every half hour during evenings, Saturday mornings and Sundays)

More HandyDART trips available to help reduce wait times for persons with mobility needs

More frequent bus service across the region to reduce wait times and crowding, during the middle of
the day, in the evening, and on weekends, including:
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South of Fraser in Newton, Guilford, and Fleetwood: extend bus service later in the evening on
weekdays
In South Delta and Tsawwassen: more frequent service connecting to the Canada Line
In Richmond on Westminster Highway, Cambie Road, Granville Avenue and Garden City Road:
more frequent buses during weekends
In Burnaby on Willingdon Avenue: more frequent buses during evenings and weekends
In Vancouver along 49th Avenue: more frequent buses during the midday and on weekends
On the North Shore on Lonsdale Avenue: more frequent buses during the evening and on the
weekends
In Port Coquitlam and Coquitlam on Coast Meridian Road and David Avenue: more frequent
buses during the midday and on weekends
In Anmore and Belcarra: later evening service on bus routes connecting to the regional transit
network
In Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows along Lougheed Highway: more frequent buses in the midday and evening, connecting to SkyTrain
In addition to increased and improved service from the existing transit fleet, a positive outcome would
trigger ordering of new buses, SkyTrain cars, West Coast Express vehicles and HandyDART shuttles.
New buses and rail cars would be put into service beginning in 2018 to further expand transit service and
introduce new services in communities across the region.
A “Yes” vote for the Mayors‟ Plan would save families time, money, keep our air and environment clean,
and help keep goods and services moving across the region. These benefits would begin in 2016, almost
immediately after a positive vote for better transit and transportation services and would expand as the
Plan is built out, creating thousands of jobs and an economic boost for all communities.
A “No” vote would increase congestion creating roads and transit gridlock, increase travel time and costs,
and stall jobs and our economy.
Voting packages have been mailed to registered voters and these must be returned to Elections BC by
May 29. Visit www.elections.bc.ca/plebiscite for more information.
To read more about the Mayors‟ Plan, visit www.mayorscouncil.ca.
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