Metro Vancouver's Canada Line rapid transit route opened in August, 2009. (CBC)

Vancouver's controversial Canada Line is celebrating its one-year anniversary, but some businesses along the route say they are still feeling the negative effects from the construction.

Leonard Schein, the owner of The Park Theatre on Cambie said officials promised the rapid transit route would increase business in the area, but a decision to move a station planned for the Cambie village actually worked against the merchants.

"They have not seen an increase in business due to the Canada Line because the station that was originally going to be at 16th was replaced by the Olympic Village station and in order to get more passengers to take the Canada Line the bus service was cut down on Cambie so the buses don't run as often," he said.

The construction of the tunnel blocked traffic through the Cambie Village shopping area, forcing many business to relocate or face bankruptcy. Schine estimated he lost $200,000 in a single year.

Construction of the Canada Line disrupted traffic along Cambie Street for years. (CBC)

Schein says business has recovered for his theatre, but not because of the Canada Line. He says most people are either biking or driving to the area. The closest stations are now located near the intersections at King Edward Avenue and at Broadway.

Many of the merchants are still involved in a class-action lawsuit for lost business against the Canada Line, after one merchant won a precedent-setting $600,000 award.

The merchants say a last minute decision to build the tunnel by digging up the street rather than tunnelling under it went against the promises of officials, after many of them had locked into long-term leases.

The $1.9 billion light rail route connecting downtown Vancouver with the airport and Richmond south of the city, was built in part to improve transportation during the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.