UBC student union calls for more details on long-awaited SkyTrain extension

Good morning, 

Nate with you today. It’s been a long week since my last post (despite our typo in Monday’s intro, I wasn’t the author on that one), but we’ve been hard at work cutting through the big waves of the fall news cycle.

And it’s not just who’s running for mayor in the local elections that are still over a year away. We’ve been following some big stories about two long-awaited infrastructure projects from the provincial government. These projects would reshape neighbourhoods — connecting them and providing essential services closer to home —while easing the burden on existing overstretched utilities. 

While protests, rallies, and demonstrations are usually coded as being against something, we’re focused on groups making noise for these projects. Opponents exist, but in these two cases, the issue is primarily about locals asking governments to move more quickly to fulfill their promises. 

Let’s get to it!

— Nate Lewis, Vancity Lookout

As always, you can send your tips, leads, and story ideas to Nate at [email protected].

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

WEATHER

Friday: 14 🌡️ 9 | ☁️

Saturday: 14 🌡️ 9 | 🌤️

Sunday: 16 🌡️ 10 | ☀️

Monday: 17 🌡️ 11 | ☀️

TRANSPORTATION

UBC student group calls for more details on long-awaited SkyTrain extension

It all starts with a bus ride. It takes about 45 minutes in light traffic on the 99 B-Line from Commercial Drive to reach the University of British Columbia’s campus on the western tip of Metro Vancouver. 

It’s a familiar route for the thousands who take the 99 bus to and from campus every day. Much of the ride is filled with reminders of the future — the Broadway SkyTrain (or the Millennium Line extension if you’re persnickety) is currently under construction between Clark and Arbutus streets to service the over 10.5 million passengers who rode the 99 in 2024. It’s far and away the busiest bus route in the region, serving one of the busiest transit corridors in North America. 

The new SkyTrain line will connect neighbourhoods like Grandview-Woodland, Mount Pleasant, and Fairview, while reducing congestion and travel times. However, it’s only a half-measure for anyone going to UBC or anywhere else west of Arbutus. 

“We want to see the full benefit that you can get from a SkyTrain extension,” rather than the current project that will concentrate westward commuters at Arbutus, Solomon Yi-Kieran told Vancity Lookout.

Yi-Kieran, Vice President of External Affairs for UBC’s AMS Student Society, led an on-campus rally this week in support of the extension, hoping it would spur governments to action. 

Yi-Kieran said a SkyTrain all the way to UBC could cut round-trip commute times by 30 minutes for Vancouverites and as much as an hour for commuters in further parts of Metro Vancouver, while eliminating the frequent ‘pass-ups’ at peak hours due to full buses. The current extension to Arbutus is expected to deliver roughly half those reductions in commute time to UBC. 

A train line to campus would also allow more people to take transit rather than drive, increasing affordability by eliminating fuel, insurance, and parking costs, while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Currently, about half of the daily trips to UBC are made by car, Yi-Kieran said.

The SkyTrain extension to UBC, or UBCx as it’s known, was promised by the province in 2008. The project has been endorsed by Vancouver city council, is listed as a priority in TransLink’s ten-year plan (2022-2032), and was included as a priority in provincial Transportation and Transit Minister Mike Farnworth’s mandate letter in early 2025.

However, there’s been little visible movement on the project over the past 17 years, despite all that support and affirmation from the various stakeholders. The long delays led Yi-Kieran and the AMS to publicly demand action. 

Yi-Kieran, a third-year History student who plans to become a high school teacher, referenced the Great Trek as inspiration for today’s student-led campaign. A century ago, UBC students were fed up with the decade of government delay in building the new campus in Point Grey during and following World War I. In 1922, the AMS organized and led a massive campaign and march from UBC’s inadequate facility in Fairview to the nascent campus on the west side. Within weeks of the march, the province announced funding to proceed with construction and by 1925, the new campus was open for classes. 

Back to the present, and the UBC campus has become a small city unto itself. On an overcast mid-day in early October, only about 100 or so people gathered in front of the towering new student union building. 

While the rally didn’t draw the attendance of the Great Trek, a petition started by AMS has received over 14,000 signatures, Yi-Kieran said. It was also clear that the rally caught the attention and support of today’s leaders.

UBC President Benoit-Antoine Bacon spoke briefly at the rally, expressing support for the SkyTrain extension. Benoit said the current leaders of the local, provincial, and federal governments are all supportive of the extension project. “We just need the political will to make it a priority,” Benoit said.

Leaving the event flanked by campus security, Bacon told Vancity Lookout that UBC is collaborating with the province on the business case for the project, which is now in its second phase. Bacon said he’s hoping the business case will be completed by the end of this year. 

The federal government contributed $14 million to fund that business case, with the agreement expiring at the end of March 2026. Publicly releasing the business case for the project is seen as the next major step, which the AMS, UBC’s student society, and city councillors are calling for. 

Premier David Eby, who lives in UBC and represents the area directly as the MLA for Vancouver-Point Grey, also expressed support for the project in a statement about the AMS rally. 

“The province is committed to investing in transit and transportation projects [including] the UBC Extension that is in the planning stage. We recognize the potential that the UBC Extension has for improving the quality of life for the commuters who would use it,” Eby said, adding the province will continue to advance the planning work with the federal and local governments, TransLink, First Nations, and UBC. 

City councillors Lucy Maloney of OneCity and Sean Orr of COPE also spoke at the event, introducing their upcoming motion at City Hall that, if successful, would direct Mayor Ken Sim to write to federal and provincial leaders to advocate for progress on UBCx, including releasing the business case and committing to timelines and funding for the project. 

“It's really disappointing that we're stopping at Arbutus, and it's going to have a big effect on the students that have to disembark at Arbutus and wait around and catch a bus,” Maloney told Vancity Lookout. Once completed, Maloney said an estimated 4,000 UBC commuters will get off at the Broadway SkyTrain’s Arbutus station daily and need a bus to get to campus. 

“There are many variables that will impact ridership forecasts between now and when the extension opens. Ridership projections will be refined closer to the Broadway Subway opening, which will help us determine service levels for the 99 B-Line,” a TransLink spokesperson told Vancity Lookout in a statement when asked about service at the Arbutus station. 

The 99 B-Line will continue operating between Arbutus and UBC once the Broadway SkyTrain opens, according to TransLink. After several delays, the line is now scheduled for completion in 2027. 

The Jericho Lands project in Point Grey is another key factor in planning UBCx. Jericho Lands, led by a consortium of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, would have a station within the 90-acre development and another just off-site at Alma Street. With plans for 13,000 new homes and an objective for 80 per cent of the trips from the community made by sustainable modes of transportation, the UBC extension is “integral” to meeting those goals, according to the city.

The UBC extension is “such a no-brainer,” Denis Agar with the transit advocacy group Movement told Vancity Lookout. “The top four routes in Metro Vancouver go to UBC, and they are constantly overcrowded,” Agar said. 

The R4, 99, 49, and 25 are far and away the most used routes in Vancouver, accounting for over 34 million boardings in 2024, according to TransLink data. 

“The SkyTrain would drastically reduce how busy other key transit corridors [like the 25, 49, and R4 bus routes] are,” Yi-Kieran said, freeing up room for non-UBC transit riders in south and east Vancouver. That’s because UBC-bound commuters from South Burnaby, New West and Surrey could take the Expo Line to Commercial-Broadway rather than transferring onto buses at Joyce-Collingwood or Nanaimo stations. The R4, not the 99, was, on average, the most heavily used weekday bus route out of UBC in 2023, according to TransLink. 

“It's just long overdue, and I feel like nobody needs to be convinced of this anymore,” Agar said, pointing to a widespread appetite for transit. Agar cited a recent Canada-wide poll that found 81 per cent support for more federal investment in public transit systems to address climate change.

A 2021 TransLink survey found that, out of over 15,000 respondents, 92 per cent supported the train extension to UBC, according to Urbanized.

With seemingly everyone on board, the UBC SkyTrain extension seems to be more a matter of when, not if. Once funding is secured, the project will take about seven to nine years to complete, according to the city. But for students, faculty, staff, and residents, the train can’t arrive soon enough. 

THE VANCOUVER NUMBER

2,500

That’s the number of newly-built unsold condos in Metro Vancouver, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation - double the number of new unsold units compared to this time last year. Read more. [CBC]

THE AGENDA

🗳️ The most recent tidbit in local election news is that former city councillor and mayoral candidate Colleen Hardwick will seek the TEAM party’s nomination to run for mayor in 2026. Hardwick told Vancity Lookout that all TEAM candidates, including for mayor, council, park and school board, will be democratically contested through a nomination process. However, Hardwick is unlikely to be seriously challenged for the top job within the party she founded in 2021. [Vancity Lookout]

🏢 High vacancy rates aren’t limited to the residential real estate market; CBRE says commercial real estate vacancies in downtown Vancouver are at a generational high of 12.6 per cent. Read more. [Daily Hive]

🏗️ The significant number of purpose-built rentals currently under construction is also contributing to vacancy rates across the city, with 20,000 units under construction last month, compared to 10,000 built in the last decade. Read more. [BIV]

🧾 Mayor Ken Sim is calling for a property tax freeze in his final budget before the next municipal election. Read more. [CBC]

✊ And to offset potential revenue lost by a property tax freeze, Mayor Sim has closed the city’s equity office, which was responsible for ensuring reconciliation, diversity, equity and inclusion across city services. This will save the city $285,000. Read more. [CBC]

✒️ Coun. Pete Fry will introduce a motion to strengthen Vancouver’s Code of Conduct bylaw, less than two months after the city’s integrity commissioner found that ABC Party councillors breached the code by meeting to discuss city business in private. Read more. [City News]

🪧 Members of the unions representing teachers, nurses, and professional employees joined striking provincial public sector workers on the picket lines on Wednesday. BCGEU workers have been on strike for five weeks, and neither the provincial government nor the union appear any closer to reaching an agreement. Read more. [CBC]

💩 Residents say it stinks in East Vancouver, and there are a number of things that could be to blame. Read more. [CBC]

👮 Vancouver police are asking the public for help finding missing 26 year old Kavelle Jeff, who was last seen in the Victoria-Fraserview neighbourhood. Read more. [VPD]

SPONSORED BY NEO FINANCIAL

No annual fees? Yes, please!

The Neo World Mastercard® offers instant cashback on everyday purchases like gas, groceries, and your recurring payments. Plus, get even more with 10,000+ partners. No blackout dates, no booking hassles—just real-time rewards you can save or spend however you like. Unlike points, cash never loses value. Simple, flexible, and no annual fee.

Apply now so you can start earning with the Neo World Mastercard®.

The Neo Mastercard, Neo World Mastercard®, Neo World Elite® Mastercard and Neo Money™ card are issued by Neo Financial™ pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated.

Mastercard, World Mastercard, World Elite, and the circles design are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated.

WEEKEND EVENT GUIDE

VIFF Live | Oct 5–11 | Love music? Love film? Celebrate the two together in boundary pushing live performances at this year's Vancouver International Film Festival, bridging genres and art forms | Learn more [Sponsored]

Fin-tastic Fall Days | The Vancouver Aquarium, 845 Avison Way | Until Oct. 31, 10 am–5 pm | Autumn-themed marine exhibits, kelp maze, 4D movie, scavenger hunt, and more | Tickets $28+

Oktoberfest Biergarten at Parallel 49 | Parallel 49 – 1950 Triumph St. | Now to Oct. 5 | German food, live music, and award-winning beer in a festive outdoor beer garden | Free

Vancouver International Film Festival | Various locations | Oct. 2–12, various times | 170 features and 100 shorts with talks, performances, and special events across 11 days | Tickets $21+

Harvest Haus | PNE Forum, 2901 E. Hastings St. | Oct. 3–4 | Oktoberfest-style party with beer, food, music and pretzels, 19+ event | Tickets $40+

MEC Gear Swap | MEC stores across Canada | Oct. 4, 9 am–2 pm | Trade, shop, and refresh outdoor gear at MEC’s national gear swap | Free

North Shore Art Crawl | Various locations | Oct. 4–5, 11 am–5 pm | Celebrate 100+ local artists across North Shore venues | Free

Kids First | The Polygon Gallery, 101 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver | Oct. 4–5, 10 am–4 pm | Art-making sessions for kids and families inspired by current exhibitions | By donation

Culinary Garage Sale | Pedersen’s Rentals, 570 E Kent Ave S | Oct. 4, 10 am–3 pm | Massive sale of kitchen items, gear, and culinary tools supporting local chefs | Free

5th Annual Witchilano Paddle | Kitsilano Beach, 1499 Arbutus St. | Oct. 4, 11 am | Spooky SUP paddle with costumes, group ride to Granville Island and back | Free

Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival | Slocan Park & Renfrew Community Park, 2750 E 29th Ave & 2929 E 22nd Ave | Oct. 4, 7–11 pm ET | Lanterns, art installations, parades, music and food at a beloved harvest festival | Free

Meet the Filmmaker - In Conversation with Finch & Midland | Auditorium, Asian Centre, UBC, 1871 West Mall | Oct. 5, 1–2:30 pm | Behind-the-scenes talk with director, producer, and actor from Finch & Midland | Free

Toronto Raptors v Denver Nuggets | Rogers Arena, 800 Griffiths Way | Oct. 6, 7 pm | NBA pre-season game featuring Raptors vs Nuggets at Rogers Arena | Tickets

Vancouver Sake Fest '25 | Coast Coal Harbour Hotel, 1180 W Hastings St. | Oct. 9, 6–9 pm | Sample 100+ sakes, meet makers, enjoy chef-prepared bites, 19+ only | Tickets $102.75+

Teen Angst Night | Teen Angst Night | Fox Cabaret, 2321 Main Street | Oct. 22, 8 pm | Brave people read the most embarrassing excerpts from their teenage diaries and notebooks. 19+ | Tickets $20

Women in Tech Vancouver – OutGeekWomen | Global Relay Communications, 220 Cambie St., 2nd Floor | Oct. 23, 6–8 pm | Mid/senior-level women in tech networking with hiring teams and CTOs | Tickets $50

Vision Zero Vancouver Presents: Life After Cars | SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts, 149 W Hastings St. | Nov. 8, 6:30 pm | A discussion with The War on Cars podcasts hosts Doug Gordon and Sarah Goodyear about their new book! | Tickets $35

2025 Eastside Culture Crawl | Eastside Arts District | Nov. 20–21, 5–10 pm; Nov. 22–23, 11 am–6 pm | Four-day open studios with 500+ artists, galleries, and crafts | Free

Submit your event and it could appear here and reach 20,00+ Vancouver locals

PHOTO OF THE DAY

Last Sunday, a fire engulfed a city-owned building on East Hastings Street near Commercial Drive. The East Side Flea Market and its vendors used and managed the space. Luckily, no one was harmed, and emergency services quickly arrived at the scene to fight the fire. However, almost everything in the building, including the equipment and goods of several small businesses and artists, was destroyed, according to East Side Flea. The group said the city isn’t offering any assistance to help rehome the displaced artists, even temporarily.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• From Intimate to Infinite With Writer, Creator Jenny Lumet | The Rio Theatre | Oct 9, 5:30PM | Are you a Star Trek fan? Go behind the scenes with creator Jenny Lumet in her VIFF Talk. | Learn more [Sponsored]

• Here’s the full list of Vancouver’s newest Michelin Guide restaurant inductees. [CBC]

• Here’s a sauna experience to check out. [Vancouver Magazine]

• A Vancouver photographer has been named the Bird Photographer of the Year. [CBC]

• The Georgia Straight’s 2025 Best of Vancouver winners list is out. [Georgia Straight]

• Amazon is hiring 1,000 seasonal workers in Vancouver. [Curiocity]

VANCOUVER GUESSER

Well done to all of you who knew last week’s curving, tree-lined streetscape was in Champlain Heights! 

This week’s Guesser should be a slam dunk for most of you. Can you tell me what neighbourhood this iconic attraction is in? 

RECENT STORIES