Transportation is the lifeblood of our cities.

A sustainable transportation network – one that includes public transit, active transportation, and pedestrian-friendly streets – has significant economic, health, and social benefits. 

The transportation network is vital for a thriving community. It connects us to our jobs, schools, healthcare, and our daily needs but also to each other. As Port Moody and our neighbours grow, we are experiencing an increasing number of vehicles on our roads, and increasingly, more traffic on our streets.

Every day, countless hours are lost to traffic. This leads to frustration, high stress, less time with family, and increased pollution. It is not just an inconvenience; it is a barrier to a healthy, happy, and connected society.

Residents consistently rank concerns about traffic as one of their top issues, and it is one of the most common concerns with new development. We commonly hear that more homes will lead to more traffic, Port Moody’s roads are already congested, and that we don’t have the infrastructure. More homes mean more people who need reliable ways to get around. Without better transit, we risk worsening congestion and limiting access to affordable mobility.

Often, the solution provided is to increase road capacity, i.e., adding more vehicle lanes, which is thought to improve traffic. This is not borne out by experience.

Increasing road capacity creates induced demand, where adding additional lanes creates an increase in vehicles using the road.

There are several Canadian examples of induced demand occurring, including the Highway 1 expansion between Vancouver and Langley. The replacement of the Port Mann bridge and the widening of the highway temporarily relieved congestion, but it quickly returned to similar levels of delays experienced prior to expansion. Other examples include Gardiner Expressway & Don Valley Parkway in Toronto, Edmonton’s Anthony Henday Drive and Highway 401, Ontario.

Adding new roads or lanes can provide short-term relief from congestion. It can help alleviate bottlenecks and improve traffic flow temporarily, especially in areas where demand significantly exceeds capacity, but it is not a long-term solution to the traffic congestion.

Expanding road capacity fuels urban sprawl, as improved accessibility encourages longer commutes—until congestion returns. Over time, this increased access leads to longer commutes, higher vehicle miles traveled, and worsened congestion. 

So, what’s the solution?

A reliable transportation network is essential for a thriving economy. It ensures employees can commute efficiently, customers can access services, and goods can move smoothly.

Note: a reliable transportation network includes transit, active transportation, and the road network.

In contrast, neglecting transportation infrastructure leads to bottlenecks that hinder the economy and discourage investment. Research consistently shows that cities with efficient transit systems attract more businesses and generate more jobs. Investing in public transit and bike lanes to the same degree that we invest in roads can help to build a strong foundation for a prosperous and equitable city.

Several actions enable easier freedom of movement within our community and throughout the region, including better transit service, investments in active transportation, limiting urban sprawl through compact urban development, congestion pricing, plus other best practices.

Improving and supporting better transit service reduces reliance on private vehicles. Public transit is also essential for the free movement of people of all ages and abilities and represents an opportunity to reduce traffic on our roads. Lowering GHG emissions is an added benefit. 

For years, Translink has been teetering on the brink of a fiscal cliff, signalling the need for a more sustainable and reliable source of operating funding.

Transportation and the provision of transit are a shared responsibility of both the provincial and federal governments. 

While these upper levels of government have been responsive to providing one-time capital funding for new projects, there has been no movement in the provision of increased operating dollars for decades, or funding mechanisms that can enable Translink to be self-sustaining. 

Yet, both levels of government have recognized that there is a need for new housing. If we agree that housing and transit are inextricably linked, and we are in a housing crisis in which municipalities are being told to build more housing, we also need the accompanying policies and funding to provide this service.

Despite the clear benefits of transit investment, TransLink is facing a funding crisis that threatens to undo progress and worsen congestion. (MovementYVR does a good job of outlining what the funding gap would look like for transit users).

The present funding model is, in large part, inadequate and relies on dwindling sources, such as the gas tax. Translink either needs the province to provide the authority to implement levers such as a congestion tax, or vehicle emissions program, or they need to come to the table with a commitment to long-term sustainable operating funding. Inflation that has outpaced fare increases as well as rising costs for labour, fuel, and maintenance have also contributed to the funding shortfall that Translink finds itself in.

The Mayors’ Council has been trying to work with both the provincial and federal governments in an attempt to secure a new funding model so that Translink can be a sustainable entity. In the meantime, the fiscal cliff is rapidly approaching with little movement from either level of government.

This is potentially devastating for the region and will only add to traffic congestion, increase lost time and money to traffic, and increase in air pollution. The potential cuts include:

• 50% reduction of bus service, 

• Up to one-third fewer Skytrain and SeaBus trips, 

• Elimination of the WCE commuter rail service, 

• Cuts to road maintenance funding for municipalities, and

• Reduced funding for walking and cycling infrastructure.

How do we save Translink?

The answer lies in robust government investment in our transportation infrastructure. Transit investment isn’t just a budget item—it’s a commitment to the region’s future and its people. When we prioritize transportation, we are investing in a foundation that supports economic growth, environmental sustainability, and enhanced quality of life. 

The recent provincial budget failed to allocate new funding for TransLink, despite mounting needs, jeopardizing the future of transit in our region.

It is common for businesses to initially oppose the creation of bike lanes due to concerns about reduced parking. However, studies have shown that these fears are often unfounded – bike lanes are actually a benefit for local businesses. At one point, the Burrard Bridge bike lanes were opposed, now they are the one of the busiest bike lanes in North America and supported by the Downtown BIA which recognizes that many employees and customers use the bike lanes to access downtown businesses.

Strategically investing in public transit is one of the most effective ways to reduce congestion and improve overall mobility. Expanding transit options encourages more residents to leave their cars at home, to instead choose buses, trains, and other sustainable modes of transportation, decreasing the number of cars on the road and easing traffic flow.

Beyond reducing congestion, transit investment plays a crucial role in building a cleaner, healthier community. Fewer vehicles on the road mean lower greenhouse gas emissions and improved air quality, helping to combat climate change and create healthier communities. By prioritizing public transit and alternative transportation, we are creating a more sustainable, accessible, and livable city for everyone.

Final Thoughts: Building more roads and vehicle lanes does not solve congestion – it makes it worse over the long term. The real solution is a multi-modal approach that prioritizes transit, cycling, and walkable communities. 

If we want a thriving, livable region, we need leadership that prioritizes long-term solutions over short-term fixes. It’s time for provincial and federal governments to step up and ensure TransLink is funded for the future.

Let’s all work together to advocate for a well-funded and sustainable transit system.