South Vancouver transit

Sponsored by

Good morning! 

Technically, summer ends tomorrow. And given the lacklustre summer (or so it felt like) it’s nice that we got a few last days of summer sun before the inevitable march into rain and cold that looks to be starting this weekend. I hope you all got to spend the last few days of summer outside.

While there are many publications covering Vancouver, I like to think one of the ways we differentiate the Lookout is by writing about neighbourhoods that generally don’t get as much mainstream media attention, like South Vancouver.

In today’s story, Maddi looks at why South Vancouver is in desperate need of more transit investment.

Let’s dive in.

— Geoff Sharpe, Lookout founder and managing editor

PS - If you find this newsletter valuable, please consider forwarding it to your friends. New to the Lookout? Sign-up for free.

WEATHER

Monday: 18 🌡️ 12 | 🌤️

Tuesday: 20 🌡️ 12 | 🌤️

Wednesday: 18 🌡️ 10 | ☀️

Story by Maddi Dellplain. Read the story online.

Kathryn Langmead has been an avid transit user in Vancouver since she moved to the city nearly 60 years ago. 

“I never got my license or felt like spending money on a car,” the now-retired landscaper and hairdresser told Vancity Lookout. “[I’ve always taken the bus] for environmental reasons, I’ve relied on transit in this city since I was 18.”

Langmead lives near Fraser and 49th, at the northern border of Sunset, a Southeast Vancouver neighbourhood where residents have historically been underserved by transit.

Where she lives, there are several busy bus routes with stops that feel inaccessible, and others that are outright dangerous, Langmead said. 

“I don’t feel safe or protected,” she said, noting the bus stop at Fraser and East 33rd Avenue. “There’s a steep hill, [narrow sidewalk], there’s no benches, no shelter, and it's a super busy street…if a car got out of control and rolled up on the sidewalk, that’s it.” 

The need for improved transit infrastructure, particularly in neighbourhoods around East and South Vancouver, has become so dire that a group of concerned citizens recently took matters into their own hands. 

Inspired by the work of the San Francisco Bay Area Bench Collective, a group of roughly a dozen volunteers built and installed wooden benches at several bus stops throughout the city. 

The vast majority of these benches were placed in South Vancouver, including one very near Langmead’s residence at St. Catherine’s and East 49th, which she referred to as “a total asset.” 

Software developer and Coquitlam resident Joe Czepil said he met several other volunteers after he got involved with Movement, a non-profit advocacy group fighting for better transit in Metro Vancouver. 

“Everyone deserves to be able to move around the city freely, especially people coming off a long day of work or those with limited mobility,” said Czepil. 

Having taken up woodworking as a hobby, Czepil led workshops for volunteers at the East Vancouver MakerLabs where the benches were first constructed before being installed in August. “I started learning woodworking about a year ago… so I offered to host a workshop and teach people [how to build benches]... and use the more dangerous tools that other people were uncomfortable with.”

While Czepil said that it felt “super empowering” to be able to contribute meaningfully to the community, he added that “a lot of people [also felt that] if a few volunteers can get together for a few days and install five benches, why can’t the city do that at a reasonable pace as well?”

While things like bus maintenance and route planning are TransLink’s responsibility, in most cases, it is the city’s job to maintain and build the infrastructure at bus stops. 

“Municipalities own the streets,” Denis Agar, executive director at Movement, told Vancity Lookout. “You can paint a diamond on the street and put up a sign that says ‘Bus Only’ and immediately make transit more competitive and attractive for people.” 

He added that “the benches are a way of prodding cities and reminding them that they have full control over bus stops.”

South Vancouver, in particular, has been in desperate need of improvements to both transit routes and basic infrastructure. 

While areas primarily made up of single-family homes are typically not high-transit-using neighbourhoods, Agar said that “there's a remarkably high rate of transit ridership in South Vancouver.”

South Vancouver is located between two Skytrain lines. It is home to roughly 100,000 people and a large number of multi-generational households, with the largest share of racialized residents (80 per cent) and immigrants (56 per cent) in the city. Household income in the area is also below many other Vancouver neighbourhoods. 

South Vancouver also has particularly high rates of population growth among groups that are less likely to drive, such as seniors and youth under 15. 

While there are a number of routes desperately in need in South Vancouver, Agar said that the 49, which runs from UBC to Metrotown via East 49th Avenue, is “essential.”

“It moves twice as many people [daily] as our national railway. It needs bus lanes, rapid level service…and shelters at benches at every stop,” he said. 

Two of the five benches installed by volunteers were also along the 100 bus route on Marine Drive. For Agar, given the population growth brought on by the expansion of the River District, routes along Marine Drive “should be a lot more frequent.” 

One way to do that, he said, is to invest more heavily in the new 80 bus, an express route along Marine Drive that began service in 2023 and terminates at the River District. “It’s an excellent new route, but it’s just not very frequent and doesn’t run on evenings and weekends,” he added. 

Of those surveyed in a recent report, 83 per cent of respondents said that affordable, reliable public transit was a priority warranting “considerable time and resources” from the next council, coming in second after housing. 

TransLink will need more funding to expand its service, which will be part of an important multi-level government discussion in the spring of next year. 

TransLink has long had well-documented financial struggles, including a $72 million shortfall in 2025. Contributions from provincial and federal governments were down by 22 per cent this last year. 

When asked which of the parties running in the municipal election seemed supportive of the transit-related action that rider advocacy groups like Movement have been asking for, Agar said COPE has incorporated several transit promises into its platform.

OneCity has announced it will implement smart traffic signals to allow buses to move more seamlessly throughout the city. Agar added that Green Party mayoral candidate Pete Fry has “really indicated his enthusiasm” for transit-related development, but has not yet released a platform. 

“I do have to give ABC some kudos for voting unanimously for our bus lane motion a couple of years ago,” said Agar. The motion calls for the implementation of dedicated bus lanes along eight priority corridors in Vancouver, including 49th Avenue. 

He added that the city has been working to deliver it, though “not at the speed that the motion calls for.”

The Vancouver Liberals have said they will prioritize completing the SkyTrain extension to UBC and create commercial incentives to lower rents for businesses affected by transit improvements. 

TEAM Vancouver said it will enact an “all-of-the-above” transportation strategy, which includes expanding bus service and implementing new stops in underserved neighbourhoods. Vote Vancouver promised free transit for youth and Bright Future Vancouver has proposed free transit for youth and low-income seniors, as well as rapid bus priority corridors. 

Agar added that we know that improvements in transit and the infrastructure people rely on while using it are possible. 

Some cities, like Burnaby, he said, have “taken that to heart,” recently installing benches, lighting, and shelters at a rate of nearly one per week, and are now on track to reach 370 new bus shelters by 2030. 

While seniors like Langmead are grateful for any improvements, she said she hopes to see more action taken to make transit safer and more accessible in South Vancouver in particular.  “There are a lot of elderly people and immigrants living in this area who tend not to advocate for themselves,” she added. “[But benches like these] should be at every bus stop.”

Did you know the Lookout relies on readers like you to help locals discover our journalism? If you have a moment, please consider sharing this story: Twitter | Linkedin | Bluesky | Email | Copy this url

Have a comment on a story? Submit it to our Comment Corner and it might be included in a newsletter: Share your comment

Wondering if your child is ready for a booster seat? Unsure whether a car seat is installed correctly? Child passenger safety can raise a lot of questions, and it isn't always clear which information applies to your situation.

BCAA Connect, BCAA's online community where people across BC share knowledge, ask questions and help one another, is marking Child Passenger Safety Week by hosting an Ask Me Anything (AMA) with Renata, a BCAA Child Passenger Safety Educator and Instructor.

Have a child car seat safety question that's on your mind? Parents, grandparents and caregivers are invited to post their questions for Renata on BCAA Connect by September 28. Your question may even help another family looking for the same information.

Whether you're second-guessing a car seat installation or trying to figure out what's next as your child grows, this is your chance to ask.

Post your question now on BCAA Connect.

130

That’s the number of names that will appear on Vancouver’s municipal election ballot. That includes eight candidates for mayor, 56 for council, 35 for the park board and 31 for school trustee. [CTV]

📈 Could we be in for increased flying costs for Canadians? Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon says he cannot guarantee that costs to flyers won’t go up as part of the federal government’s plan to privatize four major airports, including YVR. He did say the increases would not be “unjustified.” Read more. [CTV]

🪧 Bus drivers and transit workers will vote on a tentative deal reached between the union and the Coast Mountain Bus Company. If members reject the deal, the union said bus and SeaBus service would be withdrawn in Metro Vancouver on Wednesday at midnight. Two other deals were rejected by union members. Read more. [CTV]

🐴 A complaint has been filed against the Vancouver Police Board for horse droppings left on multi-use paths and bike lanes in Stanley Park and the West End. The complaint says they pose a public safety issue for cyclists and wheelchair users and notes that dog owners face a $250 fine for not cleaning up. Read more. [Vancouver is Awesome]

👮 The number of bear spray incidents among youths has increased this year compared to last year, at 104 cases from Jan. 1 to Aug. 15, compared to 83 during the same period last year. Police are inspecting businesses that sell those products. Read more. [CTV]

🚧 Demolition and reconstruction of the Vancouver Aquatic Centre will begin on Oct. 1, with interior demolition taking place until Oct. 31. Read more ($). [Vancouver Sun]

👮 The Vancouver Police Union (VPU) is circulating a questionnaire to municipal parties, asking them about policing issues. In the last election, the VPU, in an unprecedented move, endorsed Ken Sim and the ABC Party. Read more. [Urbanized]

TEAM for a Livable Vancouver has released their public safety plan. It includes not tolerating open drug use in shared spaces, stronger enforcement against street disorder and focusing on a community-first approach to policing. Read more. [Urbanized]

VIFF Live: Mark Mothersbaugh | Vancouver Playhouse | Oct 8, 6 p.m. | An evening of live music with Mark Mothersbaugh — founder of rock band DEVO and composer for over 150 films, TV shows, and video games | Learn More [Sponsored]

Women in Wine Vol. 2: A Guided Tasting | Les Faux Bourgeois | Sep. 22, 5:30 p.m. | Discover cool female wine producers | Tickets $50

Focaccia Making Class | Italian Cultural Centre | Sep. 22, 6 p.m. | Learn how to make the popular Italian bread | Tickes $118

Metro Vancouver Croissant Crawl | Participating bakeries and cafes across Metro Vancouver | Sep. 25–Oct. 4 | 37 different vendors offering limited-time croissants

Vancouver Cheese and Meat Festival | The Pipe Shop, 115 Victory Ship Way | Sep. 26 | Discover dozens of vendors with 150 curated pairings | Various prices, VIP option available

Vinícola Portugal Wine Festival | Heritage Hall | Sep. 26, 2-6 p.m. | 70+ wines from Portugal and a snack bar | $65 plus fees

Canine Library | John Hendry Park | Sep. 26, 1-3 p.m. | Kids get to meet puppies and learn about poetry | Free

Vietnam Festival | Vancouver Art Gallery - North Plaza | Sep. 26–27, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. | Discover the food, culture and music of Vietnam | Free

Sawubona Food Festival 2026 | Moberly Arts & Cultural Centre | Sep. 26, 12 p.m. | Discover authentic food from different African countries, including Nigeria, Cameroon, Kenya, Angola and more | Free

Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival | Slocan Park & Renfrew Community Park | Sep. 26, 4 p.m. | Multiple events, with performances, music, local artisans and food | Free

Submit your event and it could appear here and reach 30,000+ Vancouver locals.

Discover your dream job in Vancouver

In the third edition of our Municipal Election Guide, the parties vying for your vote in October share their policies on Vancouver’s evergreen problem — housing.

Read the guide

Another day, another beautiful sunset.