Coquitlam keen to bring Bus Rapid Transit into and out of the city

The rubber’s not quite on the road yet, but Coquitlam council has voiced their support for bringing dedicated bus lanes to the city.

Council unanimously approved a plan that could eventually put Bus Rapid Transit along the 15-kilometre stretch of Lougheed Highway running from the city through Port Coquitlam and Pitt Meadows to Haney Place in Maple Ridge.

Bus Rapid Transit is a cost-effective measure that would benefit Coquitlam as well as municipalities to the east, said the city’s general manager of engineering Jaime Boan.

“Because you are putting in separated lanes it is still expensive but when you compare it to SkyTrain it is considerably less costly,” he told council.

TransLink is considering nine routes for bus rapid transit across the region over the next decade, Boan said. The transit provider is expected to prioritize three routes based on several considerations including support from city council.

Council unanimously offered that support on Oct. 16.

If approved, the project may reduce car trips along Lougheed and Barnet highways, Boan added.

Bus Rapid Transit often allows for longer buses with doors on both sides to ferry commuters using separated lanes with signal priority.

While the approach sometimes includes giving up travel lanes exclusively for bus service, Coquitlam likely won’t have to reallocate lanes along Lougheed Highway, according to a city staff report.

The corridor is considered critical for goods movement and a reallocation would mean “significant operational impacts” in City Centre, according to the report.

TransLink is also considering bus rapid transit along:

• Hasting Street
• King George Blvd
• Langley to Haney Place
• Lynn Valley
• Marine Drive
• Metrotown to Park Royal
• Richmond Centre To Metrotown
• Scott Rd

TransLink’s 2050 plan includes more than doubling bus service while adding a North Shore transit connection, a Burnaby Mountain gondola, and 450 kilometres of separated cycling paths.

The plan also includes a direct bus connection between Coquitlam’s City Centre and Surrey along Highway 1 and Highway 7.

TransLink would also “undertake an exploratory business case,” for bringing the Millennium Line to Port Coquitlam.

Earlier this year, a survey of 694 Tri-Cities residents 55 and older – most from Port Coquitlam – found that about 85 percent of respondents said they avoid taking transit. Approximately 86 percent of respondents said they usually drive to get around.