UBC Board of Governors endorse Rapid Transit Strategies

At their April meeting, the UBC Board of Governors approved an advocacy strategy to accelerate investment in the Millennium Line completion to the Point Grey campus. The need for improved transit connectivity emerged as a key theme during consultations on UBC’s new Strategic Plan and the project directly supports the Plan’s three themes: Collaboration, Inclusion and Innovation.

The Board of Governors also acknowledged that it may be appropriate for UBC to make a direct contribution along with other partners towards the regional share to accelerate the project, provided the contribution does not affect funding for UBC’s academic mission. A UBC contribution could take many forms, including: land for stations (as York University recently provided for the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Expansion); charges collected from developers (as is being done by City of Richmond for the Canada Line Capstan Way station); and/or a financial contribution from new revenues enabled by rapid transit (as YVR did for the Canada Line). The amount and nature of UBC’s contribution will depend on ongoing technical analysis of project scope and costs, consultation with the UBC and external community, and discussions with other partners.

The UBC Board also authorized enhanced engagement with senior levels of government, regional partners, and with the UBC community on the economic, social and environmental benefits of bringing rail rapid transit to campus.

Check out the full board report: UBC’s Rapid Transit Strategy: Next Steps – Report to UBC Board of Governors (PDF)