2018-2019 Medium-Term Transportation Action Plan

Building off earlier work on enhancing transportation in Whistler, the Medium-Term Transportation Action Plan covers the 2018-2019 timeframe to provide new and improved transportation options. 

The Medium-Term Transportation Action Plan was finalized by the Transportation Advisory Group in January 2018 and the Whistler Transportation Action Plan Recommendations Medium-Term (2018–2019) were adopted by Whistler Council February 20, 2018.

Highway 99 Efficiencies

2018 Spring/Summer

• Work with Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) on study to model potential efficiencies and to understand costs, benefits and impacts on natural areas for highway capacity improvements from Function to Whistler Village.
• Work with Sea to Sky municipalities, RCMP, to implement findings of Sea to Sky Highway Road Closure Protocol Assessment Report.
• Work with MOTI to implement higher levels of maintenance on Highway 99 in winter (anticipate winter weather events and proactively treat known problem areas such as Nordic hill).
• Work with MOTI to implement higher levels of maintenance on Highway 99 in summer (targeting road line painting for May/June).

2018 Fall/Winter

• Study potential changes to Highway 99 at Britannia Beach to reduce or eliminate this major highway congestion point.

2019 Spring/Summer

• Implement improvements to Highway 99 traffic signals with state-of-the-art network signal systems.

Transit Improvements

2018 Spring/Summer

• Work with BC Transit to study the opportunities to improve and expand regional transit service from Pemberton and Mt. Currie all the way to Metro Vancouver focusing on employees from Mt. Currie, Pemberton and Squamish.
• Work with Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) and BC Transit to develop transit queue jumper lanes as a pilot project in 2018.
• Provide safe trails from neighbourhoods to highway bus stops.
• Provide Whistler transit pass vendors in Whistler Creekside and Function Junction neighbourhoods.
• Explore the potential for further reduction of the Whistler Experience Spirit Pass price.
• Work with BC Transit to improve transit service throughout the Whistler community with consideration for express service and neighbourhood services. Evaluate express service on Highway with neighbourhood “collector” service.

2018 Fall/Winter

• Explore alternate revenue sources for funding improved transit services, including transit contributions from other businesses or combination transit and activity pass.
• Implement real time bus tracker on all Whistler Transit system vehicles and effectively communicate this information.

2019 Spring/Summer

• Develop a strategy to further reduce transit rider fares year round. Explore mechanism to offer free youth passes for students enrolled in Whistler schools full-time.
• Provide basic bus shelters at all highway bus stops.

2019 Fall/Winter

• Perform a cost/benefit analysis and explore funding options to offer free transit year-round.

Better Parking Management

2018 Spring/Summer

• Monitor the winter 2017/2018 parking actions and results of the 2017 Improving Parking Availability Strategy to inform any required changes.
• Work with Tourism Whistler and Chamber to explore the feasibility of creating a single parking app that illustrates all available parking in Whistler.
• Develop and deliver a parking inventory learning session hosted by the Day Lot Operating Committee, inviting all public and private parking operators in Whistler.
• Introduce multiple day parking passes (beginning summer 2018) and phase out monthly parking passes in 2019/2020.
• Encourage private lots and hotel owners to offer multi-day passes or carpool passes for their staff at their lots.

2018 Fall/Winter

• Develop winter 2018/2019 carpool incentive program based on results of the 2017/2018 pilot program.
• Review and re-evaluate a coordinated parking strategy for Whistler.

Active Transportation Options

2018 Spring/Summer

• Expand secure bicycle parking offerings in the Village and Upper Village, including secure overnight and event parking.
• Evaluate the opportunity for Valley Trail lighting south of Blueberry through to Whistler Creekside.
• Request that MOTI direct their contractor to re-paint the faded bicycle stencils on Highway 99 to, from and within Whistler as part of the ongoing maintenance and safety improvements.
• Work with businesses in Function Junction to determine the need and location for building sidewalks on public and private lands.
• Develop and better communicate information on Action Plan items.

2018 Fall/Winter

Develop and implement a marketing campaign including an incentive program to encourage people to leave their car at home.

2019 Fall/Winter

• Assess feasibility and RMOW actions needed for private sector to provide electric bike and other share services.

Other Improvements

2018 Spring/Summer

• Explore peak time carpooling strategies to encourage more people to carpool to the ski hill.
• Investigate opportunities to partner with Whistler businesses and organizations to increase number and affordability of end of trip and storage facilities (e.g. bike & ski lockers) in Village and at Creekside.
• As part of the 2018 monitoring program, understand all the variables that have affected transportation changes and Resort traffic issues this winter (e.g. staggered school holidays).
• Work with businesses, other transportation providers and potential user groups (First Nations, large employers and employees) to implement new transportation options from Mt.Currie/Pemberton and Squamish to Whistler.

2019 Spring/Summer

• Work with Whistler Blackcomb/Vail Resorts to develop and offer a “Whistler Card” to guests as a combo pass (including transportation to and from Whistler), to experience and get around the resort.

2019 Fall/Winter

• Build permanent Village end-of-trip facility or reinstate existing one at Library (for active transportation and transit users).