Olympic Boost to Vancouver Transit Ridership, Then a Drop

Transit ridership boomed during the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, but the numbers have since fallen.

1 minute read

February 12, 2011, 7:00 AM PST

By Nate Berg


"In the Olympic period, bus ridership jumped by 34 per cent, SkyTrain usage went up 54 per cent and the number of people on the SeaBus increased 200 percent.

Results of a study released Tuesday indicate about 44 per cent of those who made the switch continue to use transit.

The study found that the rest returned to their cars, citing the length of their commute, inconvenience and infrequent service, said Bernard Magnan of the Vancouver Board of Trade."

Increased frequency of buses and trains during the Olympics are cited as the reason for the jump in ridership -- and the reduction of that frequency is linked with its gradual decrease.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011 in CBC

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

November 11, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A road in north eastern Nebraska with power lines on either side, and grassy fields.

Eastern Nebraska is running out of electricity

Data centers and electrification are straining eastern Nebraska’s grid, throttling economic development.

November 6, 2026 - Grist

People walking and cycling on a street in Boston.

Study reveals best places in the U.S. for cycling, walking

New research from Streetlight Data examines bicycle and pedestrian miles per capita in the 100 largest U.S. cities by population.

November 8, 2026 - Smart Cities Dive

Mamdani speaks behind a podium in a navy suit.

DSA members accuse Mamdani of 'abandoning values' over housing redevelopment

New York City's mayor plans to replace about 2,000 units of public housing with private, mixed-income housing.

1 hour ago - Gothamist

Streetview of Colorado boulevard, a multi-lane road with trees on either side.

All sides of BRT debate unhappy with CDOT’s most recent move

The Colorado Department of Transportation is no longer considering center-running bus lanes for Colorado Boulevard.

2 hours ago - 9 News

Solar panels above a cranberry boy, with workers collecting berries.

Massachusetts bogs generate both power, and cranberries

Putting solar panels above farmland is one way Massachusetts is advancing toward its goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

3 hours ago - Grist

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.