Olympic festivities: Getting around on the Canada Line

Credit: Ian Mitchell

With the exception of a few displaced Cambie Street merchants, the disruption and upheaval of Canada Line construction is now buried and forgotten. Arguably the only truly green legacy of the 2010 Olympics, the Canada Line promises to counter an environmental impact equivalent to 10 major vehicle lanes, or 100,000 commuters a year. And, thanks to a complex funding agreement, should annual ridership fail to meet 100,000 paid fares between now and 2045, taxpayers are on the hook for the shortfall. Thus, using Canada Line before, during, and after the Games is both an ecological and economic imperative.

The 25-minute shuttle between downtown Vancouver and Richmond promises to be the backbone of the Olympics festivities. To show off the new toy, the municipalities of Richmond and Vancouver have planned free, public, family-friendly events at their respective ends of the line.

For more information on the Canada Line during the Olympics, visit www.olympichostcity.vancouver.ca.