The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation has given the green light for a new bus route to loop around Stanley Park.
In an announcement on Tuesday, the park board revealed that the upcoming bus route, set to utilize Park Drive, is part of a comprehensive plan to enhance transportation within Vancouver’s largest urban park.
This initial phase of development will not only focus on the proposed bus service route but also explore potential future initiatives like designated ‘car-free’ days and investigations into other transportation options within the park, as stated in the official release.
Following the recent decision made during a Monday evening meeting, staff members have been tasked with collaborating with TransLink to roll out the new bus transit service.
In response to inquiries, TransLink stated that the new bus route is expected to be operational by 2027. The next steps involve engaging with the public, coordinating with city and Park Board officials to plan the route, and constructing additional bus stops within the park.
Furthermore, discussions among park board commissioners are underway regarding the installation of a permanent separated bike lane along Stanley Park Drive. However, no final decisions will be made until the planning process for 2027.
The park board’s resolution is rooted in the insights of the ‘Stanley Park Mobility Study,’ which was publicly disclosed last summer. Through extensive community involvement, the study underscored the significance of a dependable transit system in the park, prompting the board to address the mounting pressure on the park’s road infrastructure.
Laura Christensen, Chair of the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation, commented, “This study serves as a valuable and essential guide for future planning decisions, ensuring a balanced approach to meeting the transportation needs of all park visitors.”
Stanley Park attracts approximately 18 million visitors annually, making efficient transportation infrastructure crucial for the park’s sustainability.
The comprehensive mobility study spanned three years and incurred nearly $1 million in costs.