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January 15.2026

2 Minutes Read

UBC Students Mark '18th Birthday' of SkyTrain Extension Delays

Protest at Broadway-City Hall for UBC SkyTrain extension delays.

UBC Students Celebrate an '18th Birthday' for Delayed SkyTrain Extension

On January 14, 2026, UBC students gathered outside the Broadway-City Hall Station to mark what some are dubbing the "18th birthday" of a long-anticipated SkytTrain extension that has repeatedly fallen victim to delays and unmet promises. This milestone not only underscores frustrations with local transit developments but also raises broader questions about the government's commitment to improving public transit.

The Promise That Started It All

In January 2008, then-Premier Gordon Campbell made a bold proclamation: the SkyTrain would extend to the UBC campus within 12 years, as part of a $14 billion regional transit expansion plan. While several aspects of this plan, including the Evergreen extension to Coquitlam and RapidBus routes, have been realized, the UBC link has remained an elusive goal.

Why the Delay Matters

According to the Alma Mater Society (AMS), this delay represents more than just inconvenience; it has tangible rippling effects on housing, transportation capacity, and environmental sustainability. Their proposal indicates that a completed SkyTrain could enable the development of up to 50,000 units of affordable housing, alleviating some of Metro Vancouver's chronic housing issues while promoting easier transit access for the UBC community.

Frustrations and Future Predictions

"If the UBC SkyTrain were a person, it could attend university, sign its own construction contracts, and even vote. Yet, it still hasn’t been built,” said Solomon Yi-Kieran, AMS Vice President of External Affairs. The soaring construction costs due to market inflation are making the project increasingly expensive, and with no clear timeline in the foreseeable future, it raises the question: What's next?

Call to Action

This grim milestone should propel all citizens, especially students, to express their desires for urgent government action. Demand better transit solutions, and don't settle for half-promises. Join the conversation on social media and engage your local representatives. The future of a connected Vancouver depends on it!

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