As TransLink and the Mayors’ Council continue to navigate the ongoing financial challenges facing Metro Vancouver’s transit system, a new report sheds light on the catastrophic cuts to transit service that could come as soon as 2025 unless the B.C. Government works with TransLink to fix its broken funding model.

Today, TransLink unveiled a new report detailing the dire potential transit service cuts necessary to close its increasing funding gap, despite implementing $90 million in corporate cost-efficiency and revenue measures.

A newly released report from TransLink highlights the dire consequences of the current funding crisis. The eye-opening report indicates that, without a new funding model, half of transit services could be cut by the end of 2025 – severely impacting commuters, businesses, and the overall livability of our communities. Without intervention, TransLink faces a $600 million annual shortfall starting in 2026, which will lead to drastic reductions in transit services if new sources of funding are not identified. This includes halving bus services (including all NightBus routes), cutting SkyTrain and SeaBus trips by up to one-third, reducing HandyDART services, and potentially eliminating the West Coast Express service altogether. Read the news release and full report here.

In an open letter to B.C.’s political party leaders, the Mayor’s Council are highlighting the impacts of potential cuts and asking for their commitment to working with them and TransLink on solutions immediately following the election.

These solutions include creating a $3.4 billion per year Access for Everyone Fund indexed to population growth and inflation, including identifying $500 million in new sustainable operating revenues, and investing $2.9 billion per year in senior government contributions to the capital projects in the Access for Everyone plan.

They are also asking all the political parties to commit to creating a provincial program to provide transit fare discounts or exemptions for low-income youth, adults and seniors, and reviewing TransLink’s governance structure to ensure local accountability.

The Mayor’s Council statement and the letter to party leaders can be read here.

The Mayors’ Council welcomes investments by the Federal Government in public transit, however recent announcements involve funding previously committed and unfortunately will not address TransLink’s current financial crisis.

The renewal of the Canada Community-Building Fund (formerly the Gas Tax Fund) announced earlier this month does not provide new funding for TransLink but confirms continued support at existing levels that has been in place since 2005. While this renewal is crucial and welcome, it does not address TransLink’s projected $600 million annual operating budget shortfall that begins in 2026.

Similarly, the Canada Public Transit Fund, formerly called the Permanent Transit Fund, provides capital funding starting in 2026 will not address TransLink’s operating deficit.

More information:
TransLink news release
TransLink service reduction report
TransLink’s funding gap, explained (video)
TransLink’s efficiency measures announcement

About the Mayors’ Council on Regional Transportation

The Mayors’ Council is the collective voice of Metro Vancouver residents on transit and transportation. Their members include representatives from each of the 21 municipalities in TransLink’s service area, as well as Electoral Area ‘A’ and the Tsawwassen First Nation. It is responsible for approving TransLink’s transportation plans, identifying local funding and negotiating with other levels of government to make those plans a reality.

Media contacts
Anna Lilly, anna@earnscliffe.ca, 604-505-9048
Lema Ghailan, lema@earnscliffe.ca, 289-404-1252