July 7, 2022

SFU Students Celebrate TransLink Approval of a Burnaby Mountain Gondola in 10 Year Plan

BURNABY, B.C. – On June 30th, 2022, TransLink’s Mayors’ Council and Board of Directors
approved the Transport 2050: 10-Year Priorities Plan, which will include an urban gondola
connection between the Production Way–University SkyTrain station and the Burnaby
Mountain Campus.

After nearly a decade of student advocacy, the Simon Fraser Student Society is celebrating
TransLink’s approval of the Burnaby Mountain Gondola in its 10 Year Priorities.
“TransLink’s inclusion of the Burnaby Mountain Gondola in its 10-year plan demonstrates the
effect of student power on government decisions,” said Vice-President External &
Community Affairs Eshana Baran. “Without the fierce advocacy of student leaders over the
last decade, this project would not have become a reality”.

For SFU Burnaby commuters, a Gondola presents a modern new method of transportation.
With shorter wait and travel times, increased capacity, and functionality in all types of
weather – including the harsh winter conditions – commuters will experience innovative and
reliable service.

“SFU students have passionately advocated for better transit service to the Burnaby
Campus for years”, said Gabe Liosis, former SFSS President and current Associate Vice-
President of External & Community Affairs. “A Burnaby Mountain Gondola will revolutionize
the SFU transit experience and significantly improve the quality of life for thousands of
students”.

Colin Fowler & Daryl Dela Cruz, SFU alumni and co-founders of the Build the SFU Gondola
campaign, are also applauding TransLink’s support of the project.

“When we founded ‘Build the SFU Gondola,’ we knew that the Gondola project had
consistently been put on the back burner as other regional transit priorities advanced”, said
Colin and Daryl, “We are proud and thankful for the support of our peers at SFU, the
residents of the City of Burnaby, our elected local leaders, and TransLink”.

Chardaye Burckert, a Board member in 2013/14, then President in 2014/2015, worked hard
in her positions to lobby various levels of government to plant the seeds for a Burnaby
Mountain Gondola.

“The Burnaby Mountain Gondola is key to accessible, convenient, and environmentally
sustainable transportation to SFU” said Chardaye, “Its approval stems from nearly 10 years
of advocacy by the SFSS, and shows students that organizing really works.”

In 2019/2020, Shina Kaur, former Vice-President University Relations, worked hard to see a
gondola become a reality. She hosted multiple campaigns highlighting the benefits of a
gondola for the SFU community, led open houses, and organized an overall advocacy
campaign – all efforts that propelled students’ support behind this cause.

“I’m ecstatic to hear this project is finally approved after 10 years of work by the SFSS to
push for this” said Shina, “It was a successful year of strong advocacy and this proves
anything can be done if students come together!”

The Gondola is a unifying issue amongst SFU community members, which was recognized
by both the SFSS and the SFU Administration. For over three years, the SFSS and SFU
worked collaboratively – pooling together time, energy, and resources to convince
government that this project was worth the investment.

“Inclusion of a Burnaby Mountain Gondola in the Transport 2050: 10-Year Priorities Plan is
tremendous news for SFU and for commuters across the Lower Mainland,” said Joy
Johnson, President of SFU, “The support for this project is a credit to all those who spoke
out, wrote letters and voiced their support. Thank you to past and present executives from
the Simon Fraser Student Society, the SFU Graduate Student Society, employee, faculty
and labour groups, the Alumni Association, Build the SFU Gondola Now, UniverCity
Community Association, the Burnaby Board of Trade and all of the signatories on the open
letter in support to the City of Burnaby Mayor and Council. I can’t wait to see this project
become a reality for our community.”

SFU students could see a Gondola in less than a decade, as the Transport 2050: 10-Year
Priorities Plan has identified the Gondola as a priority project to be built within a 5-year
timeframe.

Media Contact: vpexternal@sfss.ca

Learn More:
Transport 2050: 10-Year Priorities for TransLink: https://www.translink.ca/-/media/translink/documents/about-translink/governance-and-board/council-minutes-and-reports/2022/june/attachment-2-transport-2050-10-year-priorities-for-translink.pdf

SFSS Gondola Open House Feedback Report 2020: https://sfss.ca/wp-
content/uploads/2020/04/Burnaby-Mountain-Gondola-Open-House-Feedback-Report.pdf