AMS External Policy Manual - Alma Mater Society of UBC

Policy Number:2012-07 Passed:Title:Rapid Transit CampaignJune 20, 2012Expires:June 20, 2015Summary:Supports sustainable, efficient rapid transit in Metro Vancouver and defends the need to develop a rapidtransit line along the Broadway corridor, from Commercial Drive to UBC.Whereas the AMS supports sustainable, efficient rapid transit in Metro Vancouver, especially along theBroadway corridor from Commercial Drive to UBC;Whereas the Broadway corridor is the 2 nd largest commercial district in British Columbia;Whereas Greater Vancouver’s transit system is over capacity and unable to meet the demands of anevolving metropolitan area, especially along the Broadway corridor, where, according to a recent study bythe City of Vancouver, more than 100,000 people board a bus each day, making it “the busiest bus line inNorth America”;Whereas, in technical reports, TransLink has admitted that more than 2000 passengers are “passed up”each day in the UBC-Broadway corridor;Whereas, the current AMS policy in regards to support of rapid transit along the corridor may not fosterbroad and open discussion on alternative transit solutions;Whereas, the AMS is seeking a renewed commitment from the provincial government to building futuretransit infrastructure in the corridor; andWhereas, the AMS recognizes TransLink’s difficult fiscal situation, where there exists presently $2.5 billionin operating debt, and seeks to develop long term, sustainable funding solutions for the future of transitas a whole in the lower mainland;Be it resolved that the AMS rescind the motion adopted April 11, 2011, referred by University andExternal Relations Committee and entitled “UBC AMS Rapid Transit Policy;”Be it further resolved that while the AMS will continue to advocate for rapid rail as the most suitablesystem of rapid transit along the corridor, the AMS will be open to alternative proposals for the corridor;Be it further resolved that rapid transit is defined as a mode of transportation that will shorten thecommute from Commercial Drive to UBC to less than 25 minutes, increase carrying capacity by 50%, andallow users to remain on a single mode of transit between Commercial and UBC;Be it further resolved that during construction, TransLink should strive to have the lowest degree ofnegative impact on businesses and neighbourhoods along the corridor and said solution must have thelowest possible degree of negative impact upon businesses and neighbourhoods along the corridor andthe maximum positive impact once it is in operation; andAMS Policy Manual Page | 22