Translink’s blaming lower than expected revenues from tolls, fares and fuel taxes for making major cuts to service improvements promised last year.
“We’re going to deliver as much as we can to the region and we’re going to be fiscally responsible.”
Board chair Nancy Olewiler has released the 2013 base plan saying most expansion has been halted because Metro Vancouver mayors rejected plans to increase property taxes.
“In light of the fact that we haven’t found the $ 30 million in longterm funding, we put everything on hold. We’ve got to study this. We’ve got to figure out what we can do, what we can deliver to the region.”
As we wait for the provincial government to complete it’s audit of Translink, the three year budget plan includes spending cuts totalling $ 294 million by the end of 2015.
The 2013 base plan is still in draft form, but priorities include completing the Evergreen line, adding rapid bus service over the Port Mann bridge and upgrades to the Expo Skytrain line.
Translink’s Bob Paddon says 109,000 hours of bus service will be added, but the region still needs another 306,000 hours.
“For some people, what their trip is today may not be as convenient tomorrow. For others, it might be improved.”
Projects placed on hold include expanding service to White Rock and the Seabus.
The plan must be finalized by November 1st when it will be submitted to BC’s Transportation Commissioner Martin Crilly.
NDP Transportation critic Harry Bains says the draft plan is already in trouble, because Translink’s counting on money it doesn’t have.
“And all of this that they’re promising is predicated on that the mayors will agree on $ 30 million to share that property tax with them and you know that last meeting when the mayors met, all of them said that money is not available.”
Bains is also questioning why the plan was released today considering the audit by the provincial government, which may contain more savings, is expected soon.
About The Reporter
