The Lower Mainland’s transit provider says it will need to slash services by 50 per cent if a new funding model is not found.
In a report shared with the Mayors’ Council on Thursday, TransLink says the cuts would be needed by the end of 2025.
“TransLink is facing a funding gap of approximately $600 million each year – a shortfall in the budget to operate current transit service levels throughout the region. Without funding, TransLink faces the prospect of cutting transit services to balance its budget. TransLink recently announced $90 million in corporate cost-efficiency and revenue measures to help reduce the funding gap,” TransLink said in a statement.
According to the report, the $600 million budget shortfall would mean a significant cut in 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.”
TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn described the possible cuts as “devastating,” and said the transit provider is doing “everything we can to stop them from happening.”
“Unfortunately, this is a window into our reality if a solution to our outdated funding model is not implemented.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,” Quinn shared.
TransLink explains that the relief funding from the province has been “pivotal” in protecting service levels since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, that funding ends at the end of 2025.
TransLink claims that if services were to be cut, “it would take at least a decade to return transit services and ridership back to current levels, even if investments return.”
More to come.