Report: Vancouver Leads North American Cities in Transit Ridership Growth

Vancouver's success in growing its ridership of public transit is thanks, in no small part, to large investments in rail and bus service.

1 minute read

April 2, 2018, 8:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


TransLink Canada Line

Eric Buermeyer / Shutterstock

"Ridership on Metro Vancouver’s transit system grew more than any other in Canada and the U.S. last year," reports the Vancouver Sun.

"In 2017, TransLink ridership increased by 5.7 per cent over the previous year, with a total of 406.8 million boardings," according to article. "In 2016, ridership was up 4.5 per cent from 2015 (384.3 million boardings)."

This information comes from a report released by the American Public Transit Association. The report fins that only four cities of more than a million people had growing ridership in 2017: Vancouver, Montreal, Seattle, and Phoenix.

"TransLink attributes the growth to a strong economy, high gas prices and transit improvements, such as the December 2016 opening of the Evergreen Extension to the Millennium Line and the addition of more than 200,000 bus-service hours in 2017."

Thursday, March 29, 2018 in Vancouver Sun

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

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.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

Color-coded map of labor & delivery departments and losses in United States.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace

In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.

June 15 - Maine Morning Star

Street scene in Kathmandu, Nepal with yellow minibuses and other traffic.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs

Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

June 15 - Fast Company

Bike lane in Washington D.C. protected by low concrete barriers.

DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint

Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.

June 15 - The Washington Post