About Us

Overview

The TREK Program Centre, UBC's Transportation Demand Management Department, is dedicated to promoting a more sustainable environment for ourselves, our community, and our children. We are committed to improving your transportation choices by providing a variety of sustainable transportation options for your commuting needs. Click here for information on the meaning of sustainable transportation.

Since 1997, TREK, has been working to reduce automobile trips to and from UBC, by promoting more sustainable modes of transportation including transit, carpooling, walking and cycling. TREK provides a variety programs, including the U-Pass and Employer Pass Programs, End of Trip facilities for cyclists, and an Emergency Ride Home program, to name a few. See our Transportation Options webpage for more information on our programs.

We are one of three offices within Campus and Community Planning. The TREK office is located in the General Services and Administration Building at #110 - 2075 Wesbrook Mall (V6T 1Z1), at the UBC Vancouver campus in Point Grey.

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What we do

The TREK program centre has many functions which help us meet our mandate and pursue our mission. TREK plays a critical role for the in the day-to-day function of the university by addressing acute and long term issues.

Strategic Planning
The TREK Program Centre takes a holistic view of transportation for the UBC Vancouver campus.  Every five years we renew the Strategic Transportation Plan.  The renewal process includes extensive community consultation, priority identification, and goal setting.  The STP is informed by the Official Community Plan. 

Research
The TREK Centre conducts research related to land use, transportation planning, and Transportation Demand Management (TDM) with an emphasis on campus transportation management.  TREK does research on best practices and case studies in order to inform our own programs.  We also conduct research in the form of traffic counts, and transportation surveys to monitor travel trends, opinions, and satisfaction. See the plans and research page for more information.

Program Management
Many transportation programs are run or coordinated by the TREK office, including U-Pass, Emergency Ride Home, and the Employer Pass Program.  We work with many partners such as the AMS, TransLink, and the Jack Bell Rideshare to ensure a variety of dependable and useful transportation options are available to UBC community members. See your transportation options for more information.

Liaison Work
TREK works with organizations on and off campus to explore new transportation options and to improve programs and services. 

Capital Investment
TREK manages the bicycle infrastructure plan for the University.  The investment program brings in new End of Trip Facilities (EOTF) for cycling.  This includes racks, secure bike storage, showers, and lockers.

Marketing and Outreach
In addition to providing and developing transportation options, the TREK Centre makes efforts to get information to people who need it.  We run and participate in many events, and also distribute posters and postcards.

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history

In 1997, the University of British Columbia created its Official Community Plan to comprehensively guide development on campus. The OCP was created in line with the Greater Vancouver region's Livable Region Strategic Plan. The LRSP provided direction on land use and sustainability objectives for the Metro Vancouver region. As the second largest destination in the region, and as a leader in sustainability action and education, UBC is committed to reduce transportation demand and provide compelling alternatives to driving alone. The OCP established bold and broad transportation goals, such as reducing vehicle trips to and from campus by 20% from 1997 levels.

In order to help the University meet this challenge, the TREK Program Centre was created. From 1997 to 1999, key stakeholders on and off campus contributed to the creation of the Strategic Transportation Plan. Adopted in 1999, and renewed in 2005, the STP provides detailed targets and policy directions for the TREK Program centre.

In order to fulfill the targets set by the STP, TREK aggressively pursued a variety of transportation demand management (TDM) measures. TREK has been instrumental in a class time shift to disperse transportation demand, administering the Employer Pass Program, investing in cycling infrastructure, and other initiatives. The TREK Program Centre has met or exceeded many of the targets set out by the STP. Success has come from strategic partnerships, the creation and maintenance of the U-Pass program, and the dedication of students, faculty, and staff using more sustainable transportation modes.

Currently, the LRSP is being replaced with a new Regional Growth Strategy. In addition, TransLink is developing a 30 year transportation plan. Finally, UBC is renewing its campus plan. All three plans should be completed soon. The Strategic Transportation Plan will be updated in 2010, and will include a review of progress from 2005-2010 in addition to revised targets for the next 5 year planning horizon from 2010-2015. This will herald exciting new directions for transportation to, from and on the UBC campus as we adopt and achieve bold new targets.

Staff

Director

Carole Jolly

Manages and directs the TREK Program Centre’s core business activities

Commute modes:  Usually bus, sometimes cycling or walking (weather dependent)

carole.jolly@ubc.ca 604-822-6674

Program Manager

Michael Peterson

Manages programs and projects for the TREK centre

Commute modes:  Cycling, running and swimming. He just completed an ironman triathalon!

mike.peterson@ubc.ca 604-827-5252

Program Coordinator

Adam Cooper

Assists in the function of the TREK Program Centre.

Commute modes:  Cycling and transit

adam.cooper@ubc.ca 604-822-8735

EPP Program Coordinator

Benson Leung

Administers the Employer Pass Program and handles walk-in clients

Commute modes: Walking and Transit

treksec2@exchange.ubc.ca 604-827-7433

Carding office manager

No Photo Available.

Josephina Pablo

Manages the UBC carding office

Commute modes: Transit

cortez@interchange.ubc.ca 604-827-5903

Research assistant

Maggie Baynham

Research Assistant

Research, website management, events, and marketing

Commute modes: Transit, Bicycle

trek.tech@ubc.ca 604-822-TREK(8735)

awards and recognition

2003 - W.H. Curtis Award for Outstanding Technical Achievement

Institute of Transportation Engineers - Greater Vancouver Section

2003 - Commuter Challenge Winner (1-25 Employee Category)

Better Environmentally Sound Transportation

2007 - Leadership in Transportation Demand Management in Canada

Association for Commuter Transportation in Canada

2008 - Just Desserts Award for Service to the Students of the Arts Undergraduate Society

Alma Mater Society of the University of British Columbia