Go Back

B-Line Proposal


Next Steps

TransLink’s implementation of the RapidBus service to Park Royal is not expected to be completed until April 2020, after which Council has directed staff to examine options for extension into our town centre.

For information on the implementation of the RapidBus program, please visit:

TransLink RapidBus Program

Potential Expansion of the North Shore B-Line Past Park Royal

On March 11, 2019, Council resolved:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT staff be directed to:

1. Work with TransLink, the owners of Park Royal Shopping Centre, and the Squamish First Nation to identify possible alternative alignments / bus layby locations for a B-Line terminus option at Park Royal Shopping Centre (recognizing the District has no jurisdiction over Squamish Nation lands including the south side of Park Royal Shopping Centre, and lands under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure);

2. Identify other potential options for a B-Line service extending beyond Park Royal Shopping Centre that would:

a. Avoid routing adjacent to schools;
b. Not require any restricted-access bus lane in the Ambleside or Dundarave business districts as agreed by TransLink;
c. Minimize the loss of on-street parking; and
d. Minimize impacts to residential neighbourhoods;

3. Convene a meeting(s) with Council, TransLink representatives, and Blue Bus staff to review detailed design plans for traffic improvement measures (excluding restricted access bus lanes) that could yield transit efficiency gains for local (Blue Bus) service and generally improve traffic flows along Marine Drive through Ambleside;

4. Identify order-of-magnitude costs and potential sources of funding for improvements/options identified in this resolution; and

5. Report back to Council with their findings on the above and the public consultation results, within 30 days, recognizing that this may only be an interim report at this time, to allow Council to decide next steps, and the appropriate subsequent public consultation.

Correspondence from TransLink regarding the potential expansion of the B-Line past Park Royal


Next Steps

TransLink’s implementation of the RapidBus service to Park Royal is not expected to be completed until April 2020, after which Council has directed staff to examine options for extension into our town centre.

For information on the implementation of the RapidBus program, please visit:

TransLink RapidBus Program

Potential Expansion of the North Shore B-Line Past Park Royal

On March 11, 2019, Council resolved:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT staff be directed to:

1. Work with TransLink, the owners of Park Royal Shopping Centre, and the Squamish First Nation to identify possible alternative alignments / bus layby locations for a B-Line terminus option at Park Royal Shopping Centre (recognizing the District has no jurisdiction over Squamish Nation lands including the south side of Park Royal Shopping Centre, and lands under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure);

2. Identify other potential options for a B-Line service extending beyond Park Royal Shopping Centre that would:

a. Avoid routing adjacent to schools;
b. Not require any restricted-access bus lane in the Ambleside or Dundarave business districts as agreed by TransLink;
c. Minimize the loss of on-street parking; and
d. Minimize impacts to residential neighbourhoods;

3. Convene a meeting(s) with Council, TransLink representatives, and Blue Bus staff to review detailed design plans for traffic improvement measures (excluding restricted access bus lanes) that could yield transit efficiency gains for local (Blue Bus) service and generally improve traffic flows along Marine Drive through Ambleside;

4. Identify order-of-magnitude costs and potential sources of funding for improvements/options identified in this resolution; and

5. Report back to Council with their findings on the above and the public consultation results, within 30 days, recognizing that this may only be an interim report at this time, to allow Council to decide next steps, and the appropriate subsequent public consultation.

Correspondence from TransLink regarding the potential expansion of the B-Line past Park Royal

  • Updates: March–April 2019

    April 16 Update

    At the April 15, 2019, Council meeting, Council passed the following resolution with respect to the B-Line:

    RECOMMENDATION:

    THAT the “Proposed B-Line Service for West Vancouver Community Engagement: Consultation Summary Report” dated April 2019 be received for information.

    RECOMMENDATION:
    THAT

    1. the interim report from the Director of Engineering & Transportation Services regarding “B-Line Update and Next Steps” dated April 10, 2019, be received for information;
    2. staff be directed to provide a comprehensive report on transportation improvement options for West Vancouver by fall 2020, consistent with Council’s strategic plan; and
    3. staff consider Marine Drive corridor improvement measures during the District’s 2020 budget process, so that the measures may be considered in the context of the District’s other general budget needs.

    Additional information was provided to Council on-table, consisting of a summary of all correspondence to Council related to the B-Line.

    See full update by Mayor Mary-Ann Booth

    April 11 Update

    The Proposed B-Line Community Engagement: Consultation Summary Report from the Director of Community Relations & Communications, and the B-Line Update and Next Steps Report from the Director of Engineering & Transportation have been posted for public viewing.

    Both reports can be found on the revised Council Agenda for April 15, 2019.

    March 12 Update

    This update is intended to clarify some confusion in the community and inaccurate news reports that Council voted to stop the B-Line at Park Royal at the March 11 Council meeting.

    West Vancouver Council voted to direct District staff to do five things, in summary:

    1. Work with TransLink, Park Royal and Squamish Nation to clarify details for a terminus option at Park Royal
    2. Review new options for a B-Line route west of Park Royal, provided they avoid routing adjacent to schools and minimize impact to residential neighbourhoods, do not require any restricted access bus lane in the Ambleside or Dundarave business districts, and minimize the loss of on-street parking
    3. Seek traffic improvement measures to improve transit efficiency for local bus service and generally improve traffic flow along Marine Drive through Ambleside
    4. Identify costs and potential funding sources for the above
    5. Report back to Council with findings and public consultation results within 30 days

    It is anticipated staff will report back at the April 15 Council meeting. If potential new options are identified, the District intends to consult with the community before proceeding. District staff are now compiling and analyzing the many contributions made during the B-Line engagement process and Council is looking forward to considering this at the same time.

    In 2019, the B-Line will be implemented through North Vancouver up to Park Royal. A final decision on where to stop the B-Line in West Vancouver has not been made.

    Thank you for your patience as we conduct a thoughtful process to find the best solution for this community.

    Sincerely,

    Mayor Mary-Ann Booth

    Thank you for your input - March 5 Update

    West Vancouver Mayor and Council would like to thank everyone who participated in the month-long community consultation process on the proposed B-Line. Whether you attended a meeting, filled out a feedback form or wrote a letter, your input is important and Council will consider it very seriously.

    The survey closed on February 28, and staff are now compiling the results of all community inputs to prepare a final consultation summary report. The consultation report is anticipated to be complete at the end of March. We will notify you once it’s available for viewing.

    In the meantime, as you may be aware, Council discussed the B-Line project on March 4 and will again at the March 11 regular Council meeting. No decisions have been made. Council understands the significance of this project and will examine every detail very carefully in order to find the right solution for West Vancouver. We will share information updates as they become available.

    Sincerely,

    Mayor Mary-Ann Booth


    About the proposed B-Line

    A B-Line is faster and more frequent than regular bus routes and will move more people per day than the current service. In order to ensure B-Line service can operate effectively, the proposal recommends shared bus lanes on Marine Drive, the construction of new left-turn bays, and other measures that will help cars and buses move more smoothly.

    Information Materials (PDF)

    Consultation topics

    The District is seeking feedback on the following topics:

    – Shared bus lane

    – Hours of operation

    – Changes to on-street parking

    – Western terminus location

    – Park Royal– Marine Drive at 21st Street

    – Marine Drive at 24th Street

    Thank you for attending the Community Meeting

    Thank you to everyone that attended the Community Meeting to learn more about the proposed B-Line and ask questions.

    The Community Meeting took place at the West Vancouver Community Centre on Thursday, February 21 from 6–9 p.m.

    It's West Vancouver's decision

    West Vancouver Council will consider community input and feedback in determining whether the B-Line proposal is in the best interests of our residents and whether there are changes that can be made to improve the plan.

  • Community Consultation: February 2019


    About the proposed B-Line

    A B-Line is faster and more frequent than regular bus routes and will move more people per day than the current service. In order to ensure B-Line service can operate effectively, the proposal recommends shared bus lanes on Marine Drive, the construction of new left-turn bays, and other measures that will help cars and buses move more smoothly.

    Information Materials (PDF)

    Consultation topics

    The District is seeking feedback on the following topics:

    – Shared bus lane

    – Hours of operation

    – Changes to on-street parking

    – Western terminus location

    – Park Royal– Marine Drive at 21st Street

    – Marine Drive at 24th Street

    Thank you for attending the Community Meeting

    Thank you to everyone that attended the Community Meeting to learn more about the proposed B-Line and ask questions.

    The Community Meeting took place at the West Vancouver Community Centre on Thursday, February 21 from 6–9 p.m.

    It's West Vancouver's decision

    West Vancouver Council will consider community input and feedback in determining whether the B-Line proposal is in the best interests of our residents and whether there are changes that can be made to improve the plan.

  • Plan benefits for West Vancouver

    • More reliable public transportation supports local businesses by making the commute to West Vancouver less of an obstacle to employees
    • Employees who take transit to work don’t take up parking spots
    • Employees and students who take transit also remove cars from West Vancouver’s roads
    • Residents who don’t have the option of driving have better access to transit
    • Effective transit will bring more customers to West Vancouver business areas because they don’t have to deal with traffic and parking issues
    • Extended bus operating hours (6 a.m. to 1 a.m.)
    • More frequent service (every 8 minutes)
    • Direct service from West Vancouver to Lonsdale Quay and the Seabus

  • The Official Community Plan supports the B-Line

    The Official Community Plan policy 2.4.8 specifically says “Support the expansion of frequent transit services, prioritizing connections between Park Royal and Dundarave by expanding bus priority measures and transit-supportive road treatments along Marine Drive to improve reliability and speed of transit service, and to facilitate future rapid bus service.”

    Throughout the OCP engagement process, we heard significant interest in expanding housing and transportation choices as well as concern about climate change and social equity. The relationship between these topics is important to understand.

    For example, providing transportation options for those who cannot drive (for reasons of age, health or income) is a component of social equity.

    Reducing automobile dependence is a component of addressing climate change.

    The lack of affordable housing means that nearly three-quarters of our workforce and approximately one-quarter of our school students commute into West Vancouver every day. This contributes to traffic congestion, road maintenance costs, pedestrian safety concerns, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

    Further, 80% of West Vancouver residents drive to work in and through the community.

  • The Integrated North Shore Transportation Planning Project (INSTPP) supports the B-Line

    To address the North Shore’s traffic congestion issue, a multi-level government initiative comprising both elected and technical representatives known as the Integrated North Shore Transportation Planning Project was recently completed. The INSTPP report finds that there’s no single solution that will reduce congestion, but there are a series of incremental measures that will make a difference.

    The proposed B-Line is one of those measures.


  • About TransLink

    TransLink is a regional transportation authority and is overseen by the Mayors’ Council

    TransLink is governed by the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Act, responsible for managing and operating the regional transportation system that moves people and goods while supporting the regional growth strategy, provincial and regional environmental objectives, and the economic development of the transportation service region.

    TransLink must prepare a 10-year investment plan every three years and present it to the Mayor’s Council for approval. This becomes a Regional Transportation Strategy. TransLink’s current investment plan, approved by the Mayors’ Council, includes a North Shore B-Line that will relieve congestion and improve east-west transportation across the North Shore.

  • Small Group Stakeholder Meetings

    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

    Thank you to everyone that registered to attend a stakeholder session.

    Stakeholder sessions took place in order to provide information about the proposal, have questions answered and hear your input.

    1. Tuesday, February 5 from 8–10 a.m. COMPLETE
      West Vancouver Community Centre, Cedar Room (third floor)
      2121 Marine Drive, West Vancouver
      Stakeholder group: Businesses

    2. Wednesday, February 6 from 10 a.m.–12 p.m. COMPLETE
      West Vancouver Memorial Library, Welsh Hall
      1950 Marine Drive, West Vancouver
      Stakeholder group: Seniors

    3. Wednesday, February 6 from 2–4 p.m. COMPLETE
      This meeting is now full. Please request another meeting.
      Seniors’ Activity Centre, Marine Room
      695 21st Street, West Vancouver
      Stakeholder group: Residents

    4. Tuesday, February 12 from 6–8 p.m. CANCELLED DUE TO SNOW
      (rescheduled for February 19 from 7–9 p.m.)
      This meeting is now full. Please request another meeting.
      Gleneagles Clubhouse, Eagle’s Nest
      6190 Marine Drive, West Vancouver
      Stakeholder group: Western residents and businesses

    5. Wednesday, February 13 from 10 a.m.–12 p.m. COMPLETE
      Municipal Hall, Raven Room (main floor of the new building)
      750 17th Street, West Vancouver
      Stakeholder group: Irwin Park School parents

    6. Tuesday, February 19 from 4–6 p.m. COMPLETE
      Municipal Hall, Raven Room (main floor of the new building)
      750 17th Street, West Vancouver
      Stakeholder group: West Van School Teachers

    7. Tuesday, February 19 from 7–9 p.m. COMPLETE
      Gleneagles Clubhouse, Fairway Room
      6190 Marine Drive, West Vancouver
      Stakeholder group: Western residents and businesses

    8. Wednesday, February 20 from 4–6 p.m. COMPLETE
      Seniors’ Activity Centre, Learning Studio
      695 21st Street, West Vancouver
      Stakeholder group: Seniors

      Additional session to accommodate waitlists:
    9. Wednesday, February 20 from 10 a.m.–12 p.m. COMPLETE
      West Vancouver Memorial Library, Welsh Hall
      1950 Marine Drive, West Vancouver

  • Feedback Form is closed

    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

    The feedback form is now closed.

    The deadline to provide your feedback on the proposed B-Line Consultation was Thursday, February 28, 2019.

    Thank you to everyone who participated in the month-long community consultation process on the proposed B-Line.
Page last updated: 31 Jan 2020, 11:05 AM