The vice chair of the mayors council on regional transportation is hoping a crack down on fare evasion will get transit expansion back on track.
Langley city Mayor Peter Fassbender says transit expansion south of the Fraser has been paused as Translink battles with a $ 30-million shortfall.
He says “My view of that is it is not a question of if they are going to go ahead they are going to go ahead we just need to have the assurance of the revenue but you know every nickel we save or collect on any other front is going to contribute to financing the operations of Translink.”
Fassbender says the changes are a welcome boost to Translink’s bottom line.
He said “Its a lot of money and every penny that we can ensure that goes back into Translink coffers although the ticket evasion, the fines, and the collection is not about raising additonal revenue it is about holding people accountable for their actions.”
Fassbender cautions there is still lots to do, when it comes to Translink.
He said “To get the audit behind us get the issue around the $ 30-million of property funding off the table and moving on and then I thinkt he immediate priority is sitting down and looking at long term sustainable funding options that are going to ensure we are not at these stand offs every couple years.”
Fassbender says having two mayors on Translink’s board of directors will also increase communication with local governments.
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