TransLink Mayors Council Calls for Increased Funding to Support Transit Expansion in Metro Vancouver

TransLink Mayors Council Calls for Increased Funding to Support Transit Expansion in Metro Vancouver

Calling for More Transit Funding

The TransLink Mayors Council in Metro Vancouver has urged senior levels of government to allocate more funding for transit. The council believes that increased funding is essential to support the region’s housing goals and prevent serious overcrowding on buses. The council made their case during the Union of B.C. Municipalities conference, outlining their ambitious 10-year, $21 billion plan, named “Access for Everyone”.

An Ambitious Plan: Access for Everyone

The “Access for Everyone” plan is aimed at significantly enhancing and expanding the existing transit system. The proposed improvements include the construction of a gondola to SFU’s Burnaby Mountain campus, the extension of the Broadway subway to UBC, and the initiation of long-term planning for a rapid transit link to the North Shore. The plan also proposes to double bus service across the region and add nine new bus rapid transit lines.

The Need for More Funding

While the council has high hopes for the project, they argue that the current funding is not sufficient to cope with overcrowding and accommodate the increasing population in the region. They are urging the federal and provincial governments to contribute more to make the plan a reality. The council is seeking funding commitments by June 2024 to match population growth and housing targets in the region.

Response from B.C. Transportation Minister

B.C. Transportation Minister, Rob Fleming, expressed support for the plan but did not commit to the mayors’ funding goals. He assured them that the government would continue to collaborate on transit development. The federal government has yet to comment on the issue.

Transit Ridership on the Rise

Despite the financial challenges posed by the pandemic, the mayors stress the need for increased funding, citing a 16% year-on-year increase in transit ridership in the summer of 2023. They argue that delaying transit expansion could prove disastrous for the region. System-wide, transit boardings climbed by 16% between 2022 and 2023. With Metro Vancouver expected to add 50,000 new residents per year, overcrowding and bus pass-ups are expected to worsen.

Impact on Housing

TransLink CEO, Kevin Quinn, pointed out that people tend to live where transit is accessible, particularly if they rent or have a lower income. Hence, expanding the network is crucial for the housing equation. Failure to expand transit could hamper the ability to build and produce housing in the city. The mayors believe that the new 10-year plan will play a pivotal role in addressing these challenges.