Transit riders won't be able to use new twenty dollar polymer bills at some ticket machines this week. Translink Spokesperson Drew Snider says they have to roll out a software update so the machines recognize the new notes. He says they faced similar problems when new toonies and loonies were released into circulation, and did have a work plan in … [Read more...]
Translink going all-out to ensure passenger safety
November 6, 2012 by
Translink's CEO says staff are making every possible effort to make sure transit riders are safe. This, after a bomb was discovered on the Skytrain tracks last week. Ian Jarvis says Translink will determine whether they need to change procedures, once the dust settles on the investigation. "Certainly, it's in the hands of transit police and police … [Read more...]
Taking Translink into the future
October 31, 2012 by
Translink is embracing new technologies and has unlocked the doors to their real time data for developers to use as they like. Spokesperson Drew Snider says software developers can use the data to create all sorts of apps for mobile devices. Snider says Translink doesn't honestly know what kind of apps might be created using the data, … [Read more...]
Translink gets to work on upgrading Expo line
October 22, 2012 by
The Expo line's getting a facelift to the tune of 33 million dollars. The skytrain power rail is being replaced. The project's expected to take 15 months to complete and Translink's Jennifer Siddon says there will be service disruptions at night. "Passengers are being asked to plan ahead about 15 minutes extra transit time during those evenings … [Read more...]
Should the governance of Translink be changed?
October 19, 2012 by
While much of the Translink argument revolves around funding, the Mayor's Council also wants see governance changes. Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson was asked if it is time for the region's transit system to be run by Metro Vancouver, and he says, "well, I think that governance is at the core of the challenges here. The Mayors don't have the … [Read more...]
Mayors give province a deadline for Translink funding solutions
October 18, 2012 by
The Mayors Council for Translink has voted to pass the "hot potato" issue of transit funding back to the provincial government. A motion tabled by Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson passed, setting a hard deadline of February 28th for the province to help solve transit funding woes. Robertson says it also rules out any new property taxes to fund … [Read more...]
Reaction to Translink losses
October 17, 2012 by
CKNW News has learned Coast Mountain bus drivers pushed the 'fare not paid button' on board their coaches 2.1-million times in 2011. If you multiply that with the cheapest fare of two-dollars-50 cents, that's just over five-million-dollars in lost revenue. Bus drivers union boss Don McLeod figures that number's on the low side, "You we'd like … [Read more...]
Translink is losing millions of dollars to fare evasion, on buses alone
October 17, 2012 by
The numbers are staggering. CKNW news has learned there were several million people riding the Metro Vancouver bus system for free last year. On board Coast Mountain buses is a button drivers are to push if someone gets on and refuses to pay. Last year drivers pushed that button 2.1 million times. If you multiply that number with the minimum … [Read more...]
Translink board chair: cuts to service would require lots of consultation
October 17, 2012 by
A provincial government audit of Translink has suggested $ 41 million a year in cost-efficiencies could be found through implementing 27 recommendations, including reducing the frequency of skytrain during off-peak hours. The transit authority's board chair says some steps would need to be taken first before that would happen. Nancy Olewiler calls … [Read more...]
Audit aside, Translink still faces major issues
October 17, 2012 by
The Chair of the Mayors Council for Translink says Provincial audit aside, major problems with transit funding and governance remain unsolved. District of North Vancouver Mayor Richard Walton says 139 million per year in audit savings still falls short of what's needed to improve the transit system, "The Minister, I think, alluded to the fact … [Read more...]
