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Two-thirds of Metro Vancouver residents are calling for immediate transit improvements, saying better mass transit could help resolve the region’s housing affordability issues, according to a new study by Angus Reid Global.

The study, conducted on behalf of the regional mayors’ council, suggests 88 per cent of the 1,403 people surveyed are worried that high housing prices in Metro are exacerbating regional transportation issues because it forces people to live farther away from work, family and friends. About 39 per cent say they are frustrated about getting around the region — whether they drive or take transit — and believe the experience is only going to get worse over the next five years.

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“Metro Vancouver is under tremendous affordability pressure due in part to the region’s rapid growth and worsening transportation options,” said Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson, chairman of the mayors’ council. “A strong transportation system will go a long way to support residents of all 21 communities by giving people more mobility in where they live and work and making it easier to get around the region.”

Two in five residents, or 41 per cent, surveyed say transportation is one of the two most important issues facing the region today, second only to housing affordability. As a result, the majority of those surveyed say they want rapid transit, buses and road improvements to be rolled out together rather than a piecemeal approach. About 58 per cent of those questioned in the online forum say they voted no in last spring’s plebiscite, while 42 voted yes.

The survey of 1,403 adults was conducted May 3-5. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.6 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.