BC's Transportation minister doesn't seem to be too worried about a looming deadline from the mayors council over transit funding. Mary Polak says while the mayors have some options the perception Translink will just run out of money and have to cut services is not accurate. "Translink won't run out of money. The mayors could if they chose, vote to … [Read more...]
Transportation Minister asking other operators to fill Greyhound’s holes
January 18, 2013 by
Now that a major commercial bus operator is cutting service to rural parts of BC, the Transportation Minister is encouraging other companies to fill the void. Mary Polak says she can't force Greyhound to cancel cuts, but she's still working to improve service across the province. "There are private carriers who are expressing interest to us. … [Read more...]
Transportation Ministry monitoring Greyhound bus complaints
January 11, 2013 by
BC's Ministry of Transportation is monitoring complaints about Greyhound Canada in the wake of more customers being left stranded. Government staff say they've been assured the private bus operators are investigating why one of their drivers walked away from up to 50 passengers at a gas station in Revelstoke earlier this week. No … [Read more...]
Mayors urging Transportation Minister to commit to funding plan pre-election
December 3, 2012 by
BC Transportation Minister Mary Polak will meet with the Mayor’s Council for Translink this week to tackle the thorny issue of transit funding shortfalls. The council is seeking long-term funding to help deal with a multimillion dollar budget shortfall without raising taxes. Langley Mayor and Vice Chair of the Council Peter Fassbender says he … [Read more...]
New Metro Vancouver committee to address transportation issues
November 17, 2012 by
Metro Vancouver Regional District is hoping a new committee will help reconcile land use and transport issues. Vancouver Director Andrea Reimer says the committee is designed to help create a bridge between municipal offices and Translink's board. Reimer says it's about time: "I think we're the only region in Canada, certainly the only of the big … [Read more...]
City passes Transportation 2040 plan
October 31, 2012 by
Vancouver City Council has now approved its Transportation 2040 plan. The plan focuses on having two-thirds of trips around Vancouver made by transit, on bicycle, or on foot, by 2040. Mayor Gregor Robertson says there should be an aggressive push to get rapid transit along the Broadway corridor. City staff say that line is crucial to the success of … [Read more...]
Council seeks feedback on transportation plan
October 30, 2012 by
Vancouver City Council is considering feedback to it's Transportation 2040 plan. Reactions from the dozens speaking at council are generally positive, but a number of groups with vested interests think there is room for improvements. Both the Vancouver Board of Trade and Downtown Vancouver Business Association expressed concerns that … [Read more...]
Vancouver Council unveils transportation plan
October 25, 2012 by
Vancouver City Council's lifted the lid on its "Transportation 2040" plan and it includes more bike lanes and eliminating car access to certain streets and removing parking along other roads. Charles Gauthier with the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association hopes there will be adequate consultation before the plan is approved by … [Read more...]
Transportation minister not surprised with transit fare evasion numbers
October 22, 2012 by
The Transportation Minister says she is, and isn't surprised, that fare evasion on Coast Mountain buses is so rampant. Mary Polak says the estimated number of fare evasions was lower than the actual number of 2.1-million last year. However Polak says she always thought it was much higher compared with the estimated number. "My own view for … [Read more...]
Surrey Board of Trade: Natural gas collapse could compromise education, transportation
September 17, 2012 by
The Surrey Board of Trade made its needs and wants known to the B.C. government ahead of the release of next year's provincial budget.CEO of the Surrey Board of Trade Anita Huberman says a big part of the presentation focused on exploring how plummeting natural gas revenues will affect key areas of interest to Surrey. "You need education, you need … [Read more...]
