TransLink is trying to find a cleaner way to get people to Simon Fraser University according to CEO Kevin Desmond.

Desmond said the transport company is in talks with the academic institution to get an electric-powered gondola on Burnaby Mountain.

LISTEN: Steele & Drex talk to Kevin Desmond about the possible Gondola



“The idea is if there is a gondola, it would replace the major bus route that goes from Production Way Station to the University. It would be a more reliable service, possibly as much, if not more capacity than the buses allow.”

Story continues below advertisement

He said the operating costs of the bus route would be incorporated into the costs of running the gondola.

“If we can figure out a way to pay for the capital; I believe SFU needs to be part of that solution as well. We think there might be some federal grants that could be available for that also, we might be able to put together a really nice project and replace basically at this point, diesel-powered buses.”

WATCH: North Shore commuter gondola?

1:56 North Shore commuter gondola? North Shore commuter gondola?

Desmond also said there is a blueprint for extending the Arbutus Line to the University of British Columbia, but said completing the mayors’ ten-year plan is TransLink’s top priority.

Story continues below advertisement

Desmond says if Arbutus line went to @UBC, it would double price of project. It says next set of plans should go out to the university — Kyle Benning (@KBBenning) October 17, 2017