To ensure that we properly engage each of our stakeholders TransLink consistently follows a set of Principles for Public Consultation and Community Engagement.

We value your participation. Here are some of the projects that you can get involved in.

	Transport 2040 and 2009 10-Year Plan - TransLink is preparing a 30-year transportation strategy for the region and at the same time talk about what's in the 2009 10-Year plan.
	Access Transit - This collaborative project will ensure that the transit system is accessible for as many people as possible, recognizing physical, cognitive and other challenges.
	Evergreen Line - ALRT planned for opening in 2014.
	Maintenance and Transportation Training Centre - The BC Institute of Technology, Coast Mountain Bus Company, Canadian Auto Workers Union and TransLink will jointly develop a maintenance facility to provide education, employment and economic benefits.
	Maple Ridge Town Centre Transit Exchange - The District of Maple Ridge and TransLink are developing an off-street transit exchange on the south side of McIntosh Avenue between Edge Street and 226th St.
	Marine Drive Trolley Wire Extension - Beginning in February 2008, TransLink will be extending its trolley wire service between the Vancouver Transit Centre (Hudson and Marine) and Victoria St. (along Marine Drive).
	South of Fraser Transit Plan - Working with residents and municipal partners TransLink is creating a new transit plan for the South of Fraser region.
	TransLink Listens - This online advisory panel allows stakeholders to give their opinions on a variety of transportation issues.
	UBC Rapid Transit Line - TransLink and its partners: the City of Vancouver and the University of British Columbia welcome the Province’s recent announcement dedicating $2.8 billion for a rapid transit line linking the Millennium Line to UBC.
	Hastings B-Line Transit Study - TransLink, with input from its partners - the City of Vancouver, the City of Burnaby and Simon Fraser University (SFU) - has started a study to explore the traffic and transit requirements needed to support a new B-Line bus route along Hastings Street.
	Transit Service Improvements to Capilano College - TransLink is proposing transit services improvements to Capilano College to accommodate increased transit ridership associated with the Vancity U-Pass Program.
	BC Parkway Upgrade - With the development of transit oriented neighbourhoods around SkyTrain stations, the BC Parkway will become an increasingly important facility for walking and wheeling.
	Regional Bicycle Plan - TransLink is developing a Regional Bicycle Plan that will guide regional bicycle investment and programming across Metro Vancouver through 2020 and beyond.
	Broadway Station Upgrades - The upgrades are needed to increase the station's passenger capacity, improve accessibility and provide for increased long term transit system ridership.
	Tsawwassen/South Delta Community Shuttle Service - A new community shuttle service is proposed for the community of Tsawwassen/South Delta to serve local residents and members of the Tsawwassen First Nation.

Principles for Public Consultation and Community Engagement

1.	Integrate public consultation into all applicable aspects of TransLink’s business. More
2.	Consider both local and regional perspectives. More
3.	Work with municipal partners. More
4.	Clearly define the parameters of the consultations. More
5.	Be inclusive and accessible by offering a variety of opportunities for input. More
6.	Be inclusive and accessible. More
7.	Ensure participants have the opportunity to provide informed input. More
8.	Consider public input as advice. More
9.	Inform participants about the results of the consultation process. More

Integrate public consultation into all applicable aspects of TransLink’s business.
Public consultation will be integrated into the planning of all major capital projects, the development of all significant new policies, and all major planning processes.

Consider both local and regional perspectives.
Where geographically-specific projects have broader implications, perspectives from throughout the region should be sought in addition to local views.

Work with municipal partners.
Public consultation programs will be planned and implemented in cooperation with interested GVRD municipalities and other levels of government as appropriate.

Clearly define the parameters of the consultations.
When initiating its public consultation processes, TransLink will define the objectives, scope and parameters of the consultations, noting which matters are subject to dialogue with the public and stakeholders. This process will include estimated timing of any decisions, who the decision makers are and what criteria will be used in guiding these decisions.

Consult in advance of key decisions.
Public consultation will be undertaken well in advance of decisions made by the GVTA Board of Directors on major projects, policies and programs, when optionsare still open to consideration. The results of the applicable consultation process will be communicated to the Board and the public for the Board’s consideration of the project, plan or policy, either in a separate report or within a broader report to the Board.

Be inclusive and accessible, by offering a variety of opportunities for input.
A range of opportunities and information in a variety of formats will be provided for meaningful public input, to ensure the process is appropriately inclusive. Public consultation will be tailored in response to the needs of the public and stakeholders regarding the issue at hand. Activities may include, but will not be limited to, open houses, advisory committees, workshops, public forums, websites, and survey research.

A public consultation web page will be identified on the TransLink home page. This web page will clearly state TransLink’s principles for public consultation and community engagement and will direct viewers to the appropriate areas of the website where public consultation reports, opportunities for feedback, etc can be accessed.

Ensure participants have the opportunity to provide informed input.
Public consultation requires informed participants. TransLink will ensure sufficiently comprehensive and accurate information in a variety of formats is available to participants in a timely manner, and that opportunities for interaction with TransLink representatives are provided, so questions can be answered as part of the information-sharing process.

Consider public input as advice.
Public input obtained through consultation processes is considered as advice to the GVTA Board of Directors and other decision makers. The Board will use this advice in its decision-making processes, in addition to technical, environmental, social, economic, and financial information, and other considerations deemed appropriate.

Inform participants about the results of the consultation process.
TransLink will report to the public on the results of its consultation processes in a variety of locations and formats, and will demonstrate how public input has been used in its decision-making processes.