Calling it an “existential crisis in the making,” a Delta city councillor is calling an emergency meeting to deal with TransLink’s warning about the possibility of deep service cuts.
Coun. Dylan Kruger says the potential halving of service would strand thousands of Delta residents who rely on public transit.
“It’s simply unacceptable that we’re just months away from falling off a fiscal cliff and leaving so many of our residents stranded,” Kruger told 1130 NewsRadio Monday.
The councillor’s concerns come after Metro Vancouver’s transit provider shared on Thursday that 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 last week, TransLink says the cuts would be needed by the end of 2025.
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.”
Kruger wants council to come back from the summer break to develop a plan. He says municipalities have to put pressure on senior levels of government.
“It’s how essential service workers get to work. It’s how folks feed their families — getting on the bus,” he explained. “If we don’t find some sort of sustainable, long-term funding solution for TransLink, we’re going to see, absolutely, the decimation of our transit system, especially in suburban communities like Delta.”
Kruger claims the potential transit cuts would eliminate almost every one of Delta’s major bus routes. Kruger believes the 310, 314, 391, 601, 602, 603, 604, 606, 614, 618, and 640 routes would be cut.
“It’s really important that every transit rider and every commuter who doesn’t like being stuck in traffic, which will only get worse, reaches out to their MLAs and their local candidates and says, ‘What is your plan to secure sustained long-term funding for TransLink,’” Kruger urged.
Kruger’s motion, under section 126 of the community charter, aims to “develop a strategic plan to pressure the provincial government for the necessary funds to prevent these drastic cuts. Should Kruger’s motion be approved, the City of Delta will also prepare to present at the upcoming Union of BC Municipalities Conference in September, advocating for long-term, sustainable funding solutions for TransLink.”