Vancouver Studying the Possibility of a Streetcar

Vancouver, often cited as a model of transportation planning success, is very carefully considering the idea of a streetcar.

1 minute read

December 4, 2017, 10:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


British Columbia

The Vancouver waterfront could, potentially, get a new mode. | LeonWang / Shutterstock

Vancouver, British Columbia is keeping the possibility open for streetcars to travel the streets of the city on Arbutus Street and around False Creek to Yaletown, Chinatown, the central waterfront and Stanley Park, according to an article by Frances Bula.

The status of streetcar planning in Vancouver is still extremely preliminary, and according to Bula, it's unlikely that any new streetcar route could be implemented inside a decade. But, "the city is about to hire outside consultants to study what needs to be done to ensure that no new building projects or road changes shut the door to a future streetcar line."

Bula notes that streetcars have a had mixed track record as they've been reintroduced in cities like Atlanta, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis-St. Paul, and Portland. In Canada, the King Street streetcar line in Toronto recently received praise for prioritizing the streetcar line before automobile traffic. For its part, Vancouver is also a frequently cited model of transportation planning success.

Sunday, December 3, 2017 in The Globe and Mail

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Google street view of red brick multi-story power plant building in Pittsburgh, PA.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower

A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

July 4 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Cyclist on protected bike lane in middle of street in Washington D.C. with Washington Monument obelisk visible in background.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”

The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

July 4 - Streetsblog USA

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business