Vancouver: TransLink to cut transit services in half by 2025 without new funding model

[marmar]

TransLink has released a new report detailing potential future transit service cuts that would be necessary at the end of 2025 if a new transit funding model is not established.

According to the report, the agency is facing a funding gap of approximately C$600 million (US$434 million) each year – a shortfall in the budget to operate current transit service levels throughout the region. TransLink recently announced C$90 million (US$65.1 million) in corporate cost-efficiency and revenue measures to help reduce the funding gap.

The report, which was prepared at the request of the Metro Vancouver’s Mayors’ Council, reveals the C$600 million (US$434 million) annual operating budget shortfall would result in significant cuts to all transit services, including cutting bus service in half, reducing SkyTrain and SeaBus trips by up to one-third and potentially eliminating the West Coast Express commuter service.

“These cuts would be devastating to the region and we’re doing everything we can to stop them from happening,” said TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn. “Unfortunately, this is a window into our reality if a solution to our outdated funding model is not implemented. We need all levels of government to come together to protect and expand transit service to meet the needs of Metro Vancouver’s growing population.” ...............(more)

https://www.masstransitmag.com/management/article/55128822/translink-to-cut-transit-services-in-half-by-2025-without-new-funding-model

[thatdemguy]

1. It would be painful

But they need to do an annual EV tax or fee like a lot of the states are doing to make for lost fuel taxes, and raise the fair rates.

EV's are hurting a lot of states who depend of gas taxes to fund road repairs. Maryland is doing a 100 surtax on EV registration. Some states should also look at doing away with EV's not paying express road tolls, although I dont know how many still do that.

[Bev54]

2. A lot of funding comes from gas tax within the area (making gas prices quite high) and like

so many other transportation areas such as BC ferries and others such as hospitals they become top heavy with administration with highly paid administrators take a lot of the funding.
Edit to add:
That is one of the reasons Trudeau pissed off some of the premiers when he agreed to 6% increase in federal funding in healthcare for the province only if it went directly to the care and help for drug addiction and none to administration. It was the right decision and I applaud him for that.

[flying_wahini]

3. Do you think they will really cut it or just waving a warning flag?

I can’t imagine Vancouver would want MORE traffic there.