The City of Vancouver is considering a revival of the Olympic Line streetcar route, a former demonstration service that operated during the 2010 Winter Olympics. The city is exploring unsolicited proposals from private entities to reactivate the route for a new demonstration passenger rail service and other potential uses. The Olympic Line right-of-way, stretching between Anderson Street at Granville Island and the Canada Line’s Olympic Village Station, was upgraded before the 2010 Games to support a temporary, free demonstration streetcar service. Despite the provincial government's efforts to preserve the line post-Games, the City ultimately decided not to retain the streetcar line due to various reasons. Now, over a decade and a half later, there's renewed interest in reactivating the railway right-of-way for another time-limited demonstration service. The City has received three unsolicited proposals from private entities, aiming for a 2026 FIFA World Cup launch, but legal and logistical challenges have pushed any demonstration service back to September 2026 or later. The selected proponent would be responsible for all aspects of the initiative, including capital and operating costs, and the City does not plan to provide direct financial support. One proponent, Transport Design International (TDI), proposes using its Very Light Rail (VLR) technology on the False Creek South railway right-of-way, offering a more affordable alternative to conventional streetcars. The City is also considering an unsolicited proposal to repurpose vintage passenger cars into capsule overnight accommodations, but the proponent is exploring other locations due to the City's short-term lease offer. The Olympic Line demonstration streetcar averaged 9,200 boardings per day during its 60-day run in 2010, with ridership peaking at over 25,000 boardings per day. The City's latest study projects ridership of 4.7 million passengers in 2035 and 5.7 million in 2050, with a focus on integrating the streetcar with the TransLink fare system for optimal attractiveness.
