BC NDP and Greens commit to UBC SkyTrain extension; Conservatives make no specific pledge
The three main parties in BC's provincial election have different positions on extending SkyTrain to UBC, with voting day on October 24.
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The BC NDP and BC Green Party have both committed to extending SkyTrain to UBC, while the Conservative Party of BC has made no specific pledge to the project, Daily Hive reported on October 23.
BC NDP leader David Eby said his party will deliver the extension. The NDP has spent about $40 million on planning and design work since Fall 2022, according to Daily Hive. Eby said the project would be "a cooperative effort from a number of different partners."
The BC Green Party's platform states "Bring the SkyTrain to UBC." Daily Hive described this as the clearest commitment of the three parties. Green leader Emily Lowan made the extension part of the party's published platform.
Conservative leader Lorne Doerkson said his party would support transit expansion where population and ridership show the need, but did not name the UBC extension. The Conservative Party of BC's response pointed to a broader commitment to SkyTrain, rapid bus, bus, and ferry expansion, according to Daily Hive.
The project
The planned line would extend west from Arbutus Station, the current western end of the Millennium Line, with stops at Macdonald Street, Alma Street, and the UBC trolley loop area. Daily Hive reported that implementation could happen in the first half of the 2030s under TransLink's 10-year Mayors' Council plan. Partners would include UBC, TransLink, the federal government, the City of Vancouver, and MST Development Corporation.
What this means before the vote
Voters deciding based on transit policy have a clear difference to consider: the NDP and Greens have each named the UBC extension as a specific commitment, while the Conservatives have pointed only to a general principle of supporting transit where ridership justifies it. Voting day is October 24, 2026. Find your voting place through Elections BC at elections.bc.ca.
Compare all three parties' platforms at /bc/provincial-2026.
Questions this story answers
Does the BC NDP support extending SkyTrain to UBC?
Yes. BC NDP leader David Eby has committed to delivering the UBC SkyTrain extension. Daily Hive reported on October 23, 2026, that the NDP has spent about $40 million on planning and design work for the project since Fall 2022. Eby said: 'We will deliver that, and it'll be a cooperative effort from a number of different partners.' You can read more about BC NDP positions at /bc/provincial-2026/parties/bc-ndp.
Does the BC Green Party support extending SkyTrain to UBC?
Yes. The BC Green Party platform explicitly commits to extending SkyTrain to UBC. Daily Hive described this as the clearest commitment of the three parties on this specific project. Green leader Emily Lowan is the party's candidate for the extension. More about the BC Greens is at /bc/provincial-2026/parties/bc-green-party.
Does the Conservative Party of BC support extending SkyTrain to UBC?
The Conservative Party of BC has not made a specific commitment to the UBC SkyTrain extension. Daily Hive reported on October 23, 2026, that Conservative leader Lorne Doerkson said his party would support transit expansion including SkyTrain, rapid bus, and ferry where population and ridership show the need, but he did not name the UBC extension directly. You can read more about Conservative positions at /bc/provincial-2026/parties/conservative-party-of-bc.
What is the UBC SkyTrain extension?
The UBC SkyTrain extension is a planned project to extend the Millennium Line west from its current terminus at Arbutus Station to the University of British Columbia campus. Daily Hive reported on October 23, 2026, that the planned line would include stations at Macdonald Street, Alma Street, and the UBC trolley loop area. The project would be built with contributions from UBC, TransLink, the federal government, the City of Vancouver, and MST Development Corporation.
When could the UBC SkyTrain extension be built?
Daily Hive reported on October 23, 2026, that the extension could happen in the first half of the 2030s under TransLink's 10-year Mayors' Council plan. No firm construction start date has been announced by any party in the 2026 election.
Where can I find the parties' full transit platforms?
You can compare party platforms on transit and other issues at /bc/provincial-2026. Each party page links to their published platform. The BC NDP, BC Greens, and Conservatives all have pages on this site listing their candidates and stated positions.
Why does the UBC SkyTrain extension matter to voters?
The Arbutus Station opened in 2025 as the western end of the Millennium Line. A further extension to UBC would connect the university directly to the SkyTrain network. UBC is one of the largest employers and post-secondary institutions in BC, and the route serves a heavily travelled corridor. Whether and when the extension is built depends on which party forms government after the October 24 vote.
What is voting day for the BC provincial election?
Voting day is Saturday, October 24, 2026. Voting places are open from 8 am to 8 pm Pacific time. You can find your voting place and check whether you are registered through Elections BC at elections.bc.ca. If you are not yet registered, you can register in person at your voting place on election day.
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