TransLink ridership is down. Will it ever recover?

Good morning,

A researcher claims most Sasquatch sightings are in fact upright black bears. Sounds like something the Sasquatches want us to believe!

In today’s newsletter we’ve got transit ridership numbers, a grim statistic for overdose deaths and an update on what’s happening on Granville.

Let’s get to it.

— Geoff Sharpe

Consider forwarding this to your friends so they can discover the Lookout. New to the Lookout? Sign-up for free.

Weather Report

Wednesday: 7 🌡️ 3 | ☁️

Thursday: 9 🌡️ 6 | ☁️

Friday: 8 🌡️ 6 | 🌧

VANCOUVER NUMBERS

💉 11,171: The number of deaths since April 2016 that are attributed to toxic drug supply. [Vancouver Sun]

💉 223: The number of SRO fires in 2022, up from 104 in 2016. [Global News]

TRANSIT

Trouble in transit land

Not taking transit as much? You aren’t alone.

What happened: TransLink ridership fell by about 29 percent since 2019, the year the pandemic began, according to a report submitted to the Mayors’ Council. Transit journeys, measured as a single completed trip, have fallen from 271 million in 2019 to 193.6 million in 2022.

• Ridership levels were up 47.9 percent in 2022 compared to 2021, according to the report.

As reported by the Vancouver Sun, TransLink’s vice-president of transportation policy explained that two factors caused the lower numbers:

• The lasting impacts of COVID;

• And the slower rate of returning to the office in-person.

Analysis: Ridership numbers vary greatly in different Metro Vancouver jurisdictions. Surrey and Burnaby lead the pack, with more than 77 percent ridership recovery. Mount Pleasant and Fairview, and Downtown Vancouver were the lowest, with 65 percent and 62 percent respectively.

Future outlook: TransLink expects ridership to hit 221.2 million journeys in 2023, still 19 percent below pre-pandemic levels. One risk the report identifies is significant overcrowding if ridership grows faster than expected.

Yes, but: Vancouver isn’t unique. Transit systems everywhere experienced a massive decline due to COVID. When compared to our peers, TransLink has recovered much faster than other places.

At least we’re not Ottawa. As reported by Ottawa Lookout colleague Robert Hiltz, ridership is 60 percent below 2019 levels in Ottawa, resulting in a $85 million deficit.

•  The problem? Ottawa relies on fares for 55 percent of its budget, whereas according to the Mayors’ Report, TransLink is aiming for 37 percent in 2023.

New route: TransLink announced a new express bus route for Marine Drive. Route 80 will go from River District in the East Fraser to Marine Drive Station on the Canada Line and will launch in April. [Urbanized]

QUOTE

“Our province continues to lose an average of six lives every day, and many more people experience serious health consequences as a result of the unpredictable, unregulated drug supply.” — Chief coroner Lisa Lapointe. [Vancouver Sun]

BUSINESS

Small amounts of drugs legalized, while 2,272 lives lost to toxic drug supply

As the province begins legalizing small amounts of drugs, the B.C. Coroners Service said 2,272 people died in 2022 from the toxic drug supply.

The breakdown: The total number of deaths fell, but only by 1.4 percent compared to last year. According to Vancouver Sun, that number is expected to increase as final causes of death in 2022 are determined.

Geographic disparity: While the Downtown Eastside is the most visible location, it isn’t responsible for the majority of deaths. Only 14 percent of deaths were in the community. The rest were spread around the province.

Analysis: While drugs are being decriminalized for a three-year test period, the key issue to preventing deaths is access to safe supply, which is not widespread throughout the province.

• Experts say that legalization is a half measure, according to CBC. And Minister of Mental Health and Addiction Jennifer Whiteside acknowledged decriminalization alone won’t fix the problem.

The other problem? Access to treatment. There are only 3,200 treatment beds, with only 360 added since 2017 when the NDP came into power. Users must also pay for treatment according to CTV.

• “There are people who are waiting weeks or months for treatment and recovery. There are people who are dying while they're waiting for treatment recovery services,” the chief coroner said.

In fact, according to CBC, the province doesn’t even collect data on average treatment wait times, though it is planned in the future.

DREAM HOME

What’s for sale in Victoria Fraserview

Vancouver-affordable

At this price, you’re getting a steal. Though with a description like “sold as is and where is condition,” we have some questions…

The biggest takeaway? Affordable doesn’t necessarily mean quality.

Not affordable

A townhome for just over a million is a steal in this city. Located near the Fraser River, this three-bedroom, 2.5-bath has a great kitchen setup, a patio and huge bedroom. You also get a two-car garage, which you’ll need because there’s nothing walkable nearby.

The “only in your dreams” home

Is this a dream home price? Yup. Is it a dream home design? Not likely. Just like anything in Vancouver, this detached home is pricey. But it’s got six bedrooms and a three-car garage, so that’s something.

DEVELOPMENT

Out with the old Granville, in with the new

Stretching from Drake to Robson, Granville Street may look much different in the years ahead.

What’s happening: Yesterday, city council approved a to look into turning Granville Street into a 24-hour cultural and community hub. The first proposal at 800 Granville also got the okay, despite some city staff reservations, according to The Province.

• The revised rezoning proposal 800 Granville St., that was just made public, would change much of the area, according to Urbanized. The building includes space for cultural and entertainment spaces, office space, retail and restaurants.

It is expected the planning program, to investigate what could change, will be completed by late 2024. Coun. Kirby-Yung’s amendments to look into expediting hotel development applications along the strip, and making the area vehicle-free, including rerouting buses, all passed.

• “This is a moment where this council is signalling that we want to be bold. … You’re going to see us doing that: championing public space, culture, fun, economic revitalization, and a bold vision for the city. We deserve these public spaces, there’s very little large public space downtown,” Coun. Kirby-Yung told council, according to The Province.

Background: In July, council voted to approve the next step of the Granville revitalization.

Why it’s needed: There is a general consensus the strip needs to be revitalized. The report by city staff outlined proposed initiatives to “re-establish Granville as an exciting, welcoming, safe and inclusive downtown destination.”

• The key policy considerations include preserving the unique heritage character, making the street a public space, maintaining arts and culture as the central focus and expanding day and night time activities.

Yes, but: With the highest concentration of SROs outside the Downtown Eastside, the city needs to decide whether the vision of an entertainment district can also include supportive housing. Kirby Young warned the plan’s vision may “not always be compatible with living conditions,” according to CTV.

CHART OF THE DAY

Percent of ridership levels compared to 2019

QUICK HITS

🚓 At the coroner’s inquest into Coun. Nicole Chan’s suicide, it was revealed Chan believed she would never be able to return to work after being forced to visit the hospital under the Mental Health Act. [CTV]

🏒 Bye-bye Bo, it was fun while it lasted. The Canucks captain Bo Horvat was traded to the New York Islanders in exchange for Anthony Beauvillier, Aatu Raty and a first-round selection in this year’s draft. [TSN]

🏫 The Vancouver School Board has approved changing the name of Lord Roberts Elementary. It caps a multi-year campaign by the parent advisory council. [Twitter]

📚 The Simon K Y Lee Foundation gifted the Vancouver Public Library Foundation $150,000 to help with their early literacy program in Vancouver. [CTV]

🏠 Home sales are expected to stay the same as last year, while prices continue to rise. The report by the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver also says rising interest rates don’t have a strong impact on priving in the area. [Castanet]

🍛 There’s a new “Secret Snack Society” offering a late night menu at Karma Indian Bistro in Kitsilano. [Vancouver is Awesome]

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• See why Como Taperia has one of the best happy hours in Vancouver and is inspired by Spain. [Vancity Lookout Eats]

• The Vancouver Parks Board released a list of approved 2023 special events. You can find the entire list here. [City of Vancouver]

• Lookout food editor Jamie has a new wine you should try, what type to buy and where to find it in Vancouver. If you like wine, you’ll love this. [Vancity Lookout Eats]

• After weeks of living the airport lifestyle, a crow living in YVR airport was released back into the wild. [CTV]

• Reddit users created a helpful map of all the Dine Out locations.

• One of the Lower Mainland’s most unique properties, a graffiti-covered abandoned home worth $7.2 million, has quite the story behind it… [Vancouver Sun]

GOOD NEWS

Free toys for dogs

There’s now a community-run pet store in Hastings-Sunrise with a free stick library and toy exchange.

No word on their policy towards cats.

PHOTO OF THE DAY

Reddit user Badger-Bernard shared this lovely (and cold) 35mm photo of the English Bay Polar Bear swim. Obviously nothing else out of the ordinary in it!