Vision Vancouver has started its re-election campaign by releasing a video with a heavy emphasis on its hoped $3-billion subway line for the Broadway corridor to the University of B.C.

The YouTube video shows Mayor Gregor Robertson extolling Vision's successes, which includes "cutting congestion with the new Broadway subway line" and providing more affordable housing.

Robertson said Tuesday he doesn't believe the video makes it sound like the subway line is a done deal, noting it indicated Vision is simply advocating for the project.

"We've got to champion this. Eventually this will happen; I want it to happen soon," he said, following a keynote address to the Urban Land Institute of B.C. "I'm going to keep battling hard for this."

Robertson said the Broadway subway is crucial to the city's future because it would address increasing congestion and bus pass-ups along the route.

He pointed to a city analysis that suggests the new subway would see 250,000 trips on its first day — more than a new Massey Tunnel Bridge or the Port Mann Bridge — and take 50,000 car trips off the road.

The city had predicted in 2012 that 146,000 people a day would be shuttled in a subway along the new route.

The new analysis, based on TransLink's Broadway Corridor study and trip diary data released last year, also suggests new revenue from the subway and transit savings — by increasing transit ridership and reducing the need for B-Line buses — would total upwards of $200 million over 10 years.

The subway is among a list of TransLink priorities, which also includes a light-rail line in Surrey and a replacement for the aging Pattullo Bridge. Metro Vancouver mayors are in the midst of developing a 10-year plan and proposed funding options, such as using a vehicle levy or other forms of road pricing such as tolls on every bridge or tunnel, which will go to a public referendum.

ksinoski@vancouversun.com