TransLink’s Annual Address: Grappling with Growth

Kevin Quinn

Metro Vancouver’s growing population and growing economy has led to transit ridership rebounding at an unprecedented rate. Bus ridership has surpassed pre-pandemic levels in many parts of the region, while SkyTrain has emerged as the fourth busiest rapid rail system across Canada and the United States, only trailing behind New York, Toronto, and Montreal. Until now, this rebound has been welcome news.

The regional transportation authority is now grappling with a new pressing concern: can the system keep up with this rate of growth? This complex issue is something TransLink is faced to confront as greater problems are being foreshadowed with customers experiencing overcrowded buses and insufficient service capacity.

Join CEO Kevin Quinn to learn about how TransLink plans to expand the system, address overcrowding and congestion, and unlock connections to housing, job opportunities, education, and social engagements.

Following his address, Mr. Quinn will be joined onstage for a moderated Q&A.

About the Speaker

Kevin Quinn is the Chief Executive Officer of TransLink, Metro Vancouver’s award-winning transportation authority. As CEO, Kevin Quinn oversees management, planning, finance, and the growth and delivery of bus services, SkyTrain, SeaBus, HandyDART, and West Coast Express transit services, as well as cycling and walking infrastructure, five bridges, and the Major Road Network.

Under Kevin’s leadership, TransLink has released several plans that shape the future of transportation in the region, including Transport 2050, TransLink’s latest Regional Transportation Strategy and Transport 2050: 10-Year Priorities, the Climate Action Strategy, the Customer Experience Action Plan, the 2022 Investment Plan, and the Real Estate Development Program.

With sights set on the future and feet grounded in the present, Kevin takes every opportunity to listen to customers’ needs and ensures that TransLink continues to make strides forward for a better tomorrow by putting sustainability, reconciliation, and inclusion at the forefront.

Kevin serves on the board of directors for the American Public Transportation Association and is a member of the Presidents Group, a group of executives championing accessible and inclusive workplaces.

Prior to his time at TransLink, Kevin served as Administrator and CEO of the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA). Kevin holds a master’s degree in Public Policy from Johns Hopkins University and was recognized as one of Mass Transit magazine’s Top 40 under 40 transit professionals