First-Day Ridership Projected at 250,000 for Vancouver's Broadway Subway

City staff recently released revised first-day ridership projections for a proposed subway in Vancouver. The numbers seem astronomical and a strong support for the cause. But can the project get the finding it needs?

1 minute read

May 15, 2014, 1:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Vancouver transit

Volodymyr Kyrylyuk / Shutterstock

Sunny Dhillon reports on Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson's case in support of the city's Broadway Subway." According to new data compipled by city staff and touted by the mayor, "a subway along Vancouver’s Broadway corridor would have 250,000 trips on its first day." Mayor Robertson is currently running for re-election, has stated publicly that the completion of the subway line is his top priority.

"Previous data had suggested a Broadway subway could expect 125,000 trips on its first day – half of what Mr. Robertson said is now projected. He said the 250,000 subway trips would outpace the figures for either a new Massey Tunnel Bridge or the Port Mann Bridge. The mayor said building the subway would also cut the number of car trips along Broadway by 50,000, reducing congestion and improving air quality."

As for the subway route's preliminary plans: "The subway would stretch from Commercial and Broadway to the University of British Columbia. The university and city last year released a study, conducted by KPMG, that said rail-based rapid transit is necessary to meet the corridor’s anticipated population growth and economic potential."

And as for funding—potential funding rides on the fortunes of a forthcoming public referendum on transit spending in British Columbia.

Tuesday, May 6, 2014 in Globe and Mail

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Bird's eye view of manufactured home park.

Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing

Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?

March 25, 2025 - Shelterforce

U-Haul truck on road with blurred grassy roadside in background.

Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?

Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?

March 27, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Rusty abandoned oil well and equipment with prickly pear cactus next to it in West Texas.

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage

Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

March 31, 2025 - Pennsylvania State University

Aerial view of schoolyard in Oakland, California with newly planted trees, sports courts, and playground equipment.

Greening Oakland’s School Grounds

With help from community partners like the Trust for Public Land, Oakland Unified School District is turning barren, asphalt-covered schoolyards into vibrant, green spaces that support outdoor learning, play, and student well-being.

April 2 - FacilitiesNet

Power lines at golden hour with downtown Los Angeles in far background.

California Governor Suspends CEQA Reviews for Utilities in Fire Areas

Utility restoration efforts in areas affected by the January wildfires in Los Angeles will be exempt from environmental regulations to speed up the rebuilding of essential infrastructure.

April 2 - Los Angeles Times

Green roadside sign with white text reading "Entering Nez Perce Indian Reservation" against grassy field and blue sky.

Native American Communities Prepare to Lead on Environmental Stewardship

In the face of federal threats to public lands and conservation efforts, indigenous groups continue to model nature-centered conservation efforts.

April 2 - The Conversation