Despite losing millions of dollars in ridership due to COVID-19, and facing the possibility of deeper financial loss as people make permanent changes to how they get to work and shop, TransLink has turned its attention to the UBC subway extension line, and is looking for public input through a survey. Which leads to the obvious question: why now?

The survey comes at a time when public consultation on the Jericho Lands is underway. The City sees TransLink as an essential part of the 90-acre Jericho Lands, bounded by West 4^th Ave. to the north, Highbury St. to the east, W. 8^th to the south and Trimble Park to the west. Upon completion, it will be West Point Grey’s busiest neighbourhood, home to new shops and thousands of residents.

Last year the City of Vancouver, the University of British Columbia, and a consortium of First Nations developers signed an agreement to continue to push for a subway extension to the University campus.

The West Point Grey, Upper Kitsilano, and West Kitsilano Residents Associations are opposed to the subway extension.  We have deep concerns around gentrification, densification along the subway line and near stations, and implications for land value.

You have until May 14 to take the survey.