Public transit supports $65.6 billion in annual gross domestic product and more than 500,000 jobs across Canada, according to new research from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce's Business Data Lab.

The Move Canada report also found that every dollar spent on public transit capital projects and operations generates more than $3.50 in economic output, highlighting the relationship between transit investment and broader economic activity.

Transit Investment and Economic Activity

The findings examine public transit's contributions beyond passenger transportation, including its role in connecting workers to employment, providing businesses access to labor markets, and supporting regional economic activity.

For transit agencies, the research adds context to discussions about infrastructure investment, operating funding, and the economic implications of maintaining existing service.

In Metro Vancouver, TransLink pointed to the findings as evidence of the transportation network's importance to the regional economy.

“Transit is essential economic infrastructure. It connects people to jobs, helps businesses reach the workforce they need, and keeps our region moving,” said TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn. “Those benefits extend to everyone whether they take transit or not. Investing in reliable transit supports a stronger economy, and underinvestment carries a real cost in congestion, lost time, and missed opportunities.”

Potential Costs of Transit Service Reductions

The national findings align with a separate economic impact study commissioned by TransLink in 2024, which examined the potential consequences of significant transit service reductions in Metro Vancouver.

According to that study, substantial service cuts could increase annual household costs by up to $1,000 and raise regional traffic congestion by as much as 20%.

The findings illustrate how changes in transit service levels could affect transportation costs and road conditions beyond the transit system itself.

In addition to operating public transportation, TransLink oversees investments in Metro Vancouver's Major Road Network and regional bridges, which support passenger travel and goods movement throughout the region.

The studies provide economic context for transit agencies and policymakers weighing the costs of maintaining existing service against the need for system expansion as metropolitan populations grow.