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Abstract

This report investigates transportation accessibility and affordability in the residential neighbourhoods of the University of British Columbia (UBC). In alignment with the university’s ambitious sustainability objectives – as outlined in the Transportation Plan and Neighbourhood Climate Action Plan (NCAP) – this work contributes to ongoing efforts to understand and respond to the diverse needs and lived experiences of neighbourhood residents, including those not formally affiliated with the university. Recognizing that lived experiences are central to designing effective programming and policies, this report offers insights to help inform inclusive and responsive transportation strategies. These efforts are part of the university’s commitment to identifying and addressing barriers to sustainable transportation to support successful implementation and advance shared climate and accessibility goals. Using a mixed-methods framework, the research combines an online survey (55 respondents) and semi-structured interviews (with four interviewees) to explore barriers faced by residents in the UBC residential neighbourhoods of Wesbrook Place, Hampton Place, and Hawthorn Place. The neighbourhoods of Chancellor Place and East Campus were not represented in the study sample. The survey was distributed through official UBC newsletters, such as the Campus and Community Planning and University Neighbourhood Association Newsletters. Informal methods were also used, such as posting on various social media platforms and putting up posters at community centers. Interview participants were recruited through an optional interest question included at the end of the survey. Interviews were conducted online via Zoom and lasted approximately 20–30 minutes. Quantitative data revealed a high reliance on personal vehicles for trips beyond campus, highlighting potential limitations in regional transit accessibility or convenience. It also indicated that non-student residents often lacked access to transit subsidies, which may contribute to increased transportation costs for this group. While affordability was perceived as a moderate concern overall, the majority of respondents emphasized that transportation costs were generally manageable and not a significant barrier to mobility. Moreover, quantitative data revealed that there was a severe disparity in access to transportation subsidies outside of the student population, emphasizing a potential affordability barrier. Qualitative findings from the four interviews highlighted themes of timing and convenience, safety concerns (especially for women and children), and a lack of family-friendly mobility infrastructure. Ethical considerations such as informed consent, confidentiality, and inclusion of underrepresented voices were prioritized throughout the study. Consent forms and an age limit of 18 were required for participation in the survey and interviews. Both the surveys and interviews were ethically compliant, aligning with provincial and federal regulations regarding data storage and social science qualitative data collection respectively. Despite limitations in geographic and gender representation, the findings suggest that sustainable transportation access at UBC is shaped by social identity, household needs, and infrastructural gaps, not just by environmental targets. Based on our data analysis, this report communicates a series of recommendations to UBC Campus + Community Planning (C+CP) and the University Neighbourhood Association (UNA) with the intent of informing the implementation of the Neighbourhood Climate Action Plan (NCAP) and future updates to the UBC Transportation Plan. Key recommendations include expanding access to transportation subsidies by advocating for programs that extend beyond the student U-Pass, particularly for faculty, staff, and unaffiliated residents. The recommendations also call for the integration of equity-based metrics, such as gender, age, income, and university affiliation into transportation monitoring, ensuring that system accessibility is assessed by both availability and actual usability across diverse resident groups. Another major priority identified was increasing transit frequency and service reach, particularly during peak hours and in the evenings, alongside a need for more accessible intra- campus options, such as improved shuttle routes. Moreover, the recommendations emphasize the importance of inclusive, family-friendly mobility options, including the adaptation of car-share services and infrastructure to meet the needs of caregivers and residents with dependents. The recommendations in this report also discuss potential infrastructural improvements in collaboration with CCP and UNA to lighting, crosswalk design and transit stop visibility to address concerns around community safety, particularly for women, caregivers, and youth. It also advocates for embedding participatory practices into planning processes by introducing iterative engagement tools such as workshops, community forums, and feedback loops. Finally, the report proposes piloting on-demand and micro-transit services to address mobility gaps for underserved users, such as school-specific shuttles and family-accessible alternatives to conventional transit. Holistically, these recommendations emphasize the importance of grounding sustainability planning in the lived experiences of residents and ensuring that UBC’s climate and mobility goals are pursued through inclusive, equitable, and community-responsive strategies. Disclaimer: “UBC SEEDS provides students with the opportunity to share the findings of their studies, as well as their opinions, conclusions and recommendations with the UBC community. The reader should bear in mind that this is a student project/report and is not an official document of UBC. Furthermore readers should bear in mind that these reports may not reflect the current status of activities at UBC. We urge you to contact the research persons mentioned in a report or the SEEDS Coordinator about the current status of the subject matter of a project/report.”