Transit ridership highest since 2010 Olympics

Ridership on Metro Vancouver’s transit system has reached a new high, TransLink said Friday.

Data for May shows unexpected growth across all types of public transportation, with monthly boarding up nine per cent over May of 2016, TransLink said in a statement.

Average weekday boardings on buses were up 9.5 per cent.

Expo/Millennium Line average weekday boardings were up 9.2 per cent, while Canada Line’s boardings grew 8.1 per cent.

On SeaBus, average weekday boardings increased by 13.1 per cent, thanks in part to more sailings. Even West Coast Express ridership is on the rise, up 6.7 per cent.

According to the transit authority, ridership numbers have been higher only once before — during the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

“This kind of growth isn’t being seen anywhere else in Canada and the United States,” said TransLink CEO Kevin Desmond.

“Ridership growth like this proves there’s a great deal of latent demand for transit and we’re working to satisfy it.”

TransLink credits high gas prices and employment growth in the region for increased demand, as well as recent improvements to the transit system.

With such strong numbers, TransLink believes it has a stronger case to get moving on Phase 2 of the 10-year plan, which includes construction of light rail in Surrey, the Millennium Line extension under Broadway in Vancouver, and planning for Surrey-Langley rapid transit.