Vancouver — Streetcar Demonstration in 2010

Rail Transit Online, October 2008

Residents and visitors to the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics will be able to ride modern streetcars between Granville Island and the new Canada Line rapid transit station at Cambie Street. The demonstration project, sponsored by the city and Bombardier Transportation, will operate for 60 days starting Jan. 21, 2010.

The city will spend C$8 million to upgrade 1.1 mi. (1.8 km) of existing track, currently used by a museum service. Bombardier will supply two low-floor Flexity Outlook streetcars on loan from STIR of Brussels, Belgium, which operates 68 of the vehicles and has 87 more on order. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp., which operates Granville Island, will add another C$500,000 to help offset operating costs.

"The Olympic Line will provide a modern and exciting transportation experience that demonstrates the potential of a future Downtown Streetcar network for Vancouver," said Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan. "This sustainable transportation showcase is an important first step in realizing the city of Vancouver's vision for the future of the streetcar — a clean, sustainable public transit option for which we believe the day has once again come."

Vancouver has an ambitious plan for a future streetcar network but the demonstration line for the Winter Olympics would only run from Granville Island to the Canada Line rail transit station.