The UNA and UBC’s Alma Mater Society (AMS) have made a push this summer for a SkyTrain extension to campus, calling on the provincial government to begin advancing the project.
In June, UBC’s AMS launched an online petition in support of the project, calling for the province to release the business case for the UBC SkyTrain, and for all levels of government to fund the extension. As of August 22, the petition had amassed 10,000 signatures.
And in late July, the UNA board sent a letter to B.C. Premier David Eby – along with copies to Federal government ministers and Vancouver-Quadra MP Wade Grant – expressing support for the project and backing the AMS petition.
The letter outlined how beneficial the extension of the SkyTrain would be for campus residents, students, faculty, and staff, and also for the entire Metro Vancouver region.
The letter, penned by UNA board chair Eagle Glassheim, called on David Eby’s government to “advance the project to a full business case expeditiously, provide a clear timeline for the project’s planned progress, and commit to funding the extension, along with federal partners.”
Glassheim wrote: “Our residents rely on the public transportation system to access other parts of Metro Vancouver for work, education, and leisure.”
“Extending the SkyTrain Millennium line to the UBC Vancouver campus would significantly improve access for people from across Metro Vancouver to education, employment, and healthcare on campus.”
The SkyTrain extension to UBC has been a subject of discussion among students, campus residents, council members, policymakers, and politicians for decades. It’s seen as a vital piece of infrastructure for the campus community, but construction has yet to begin.
UBC is home to over 55,000 students and thousands of faculty and staff, making the institution a significant economic contributor. The university neighbourhoods also have a population of roughly 15,000 residents.
Many say extending the SkyTrain to campus would provide immense benefits for students, faculty, and staff who live in other areas of the lower mainland, as they would be able to shorten their commute to campus or even be compelled to keep their cars at home.
In 2024 during the provincial election, Eby’s NDP party outlined new transportation infrastructure projects, which include the completion of the Millennium Line extension from Arbutus to UBC, allowing people to ride the SkyTrain from Langley to campus.
Since his election win though, there is little progress to show.
Despite calls from the campus community, there have been no concrete timelines for the project.
When asked about specific timelines, a spokesperson from the Ministry of Transportation and Transit said, “The UBC Project is still in the early stages of planning. We’re working closely with partners to complete technical studies and confirm funding approaches before settling timelines for future phases.”
On the subject of funding, the spokesperson said, “Since the project is still in its early stages, a full business case, including the project cost, will be developed once technical studies are completed.” The federal government has committed $14 million toward the planning of the UBC extension.
ARIJIT JOSHI IS A RECENT MASTERS OF JOURNALISM GRADUATE FROM UBC. HE WRITES ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE, URBAN PLANNING, CONSERVATION AND LOCAL GOVERNANCE.