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2007 News and Information
New Transportation Plan Calls for More Transit Service and Road Projects to Reduce Delays
May 16, 2007TransLink is proposing a 2008 Transportation and Financial Plan that includes the largest bus fleet expansion in 31 years and $55 million in investments in new roads projects.
TransLink will seek input from transportation stakeholders and the general public regarding the new plan under a consultation process approved by the TransLink Board.
The plan calls for the largest bus fleet expansion since 1976 – a record 94 new buses and 109 replacement buses plus 55 replacement and expansion Community Shuttles. Also included is a new B-Line route on Hastings Street to Simon Fraser University, more service on busy routes, significant improvements to bus service in communities South of the Fraser, the purchase of a third SeaBus, and 30 new HandyDART vehicles.
In addition, $6 million is allocated for new and upgraded cycling routes across the region, including the Central Valley Greenway and the BC Parkway under the Expo SkyTrain line. The plan also includes investments in key road projects to reduce delays for people and goods and to provide grade separations between rail and roads, such as the North Fraser Perimeter Road and the Coast Meridian Overpass in Port Coquitlam.
Planning work will also continue on rapid transit expansion, including the Evergreen Line in the northeast sector and the western extension of rapid transit along Broadway in Vancouver.
“Demand for service is high as the region’s economy and population continue to grow and people try to reduce private vehicle use,” said TransLink Chair Malcolm Brodie. “To keep up with this demand, TransLink is expanding the transit system, continuing to improve the road network and providing more transportation choices.
” With the 2008 Transportation and Financial Plan, TransLink is moving ahead with planned transportation improvements, and in some cases, going beyond planned expansion. (See attached backgrounder for plan details.) For example, TransLink is proposing to buy more buses than originally planned – 94 expansion buses as opposed to 49. TransLink has also accelerated the procurement of 34 SkyTrain cars one year ahead of schedule to meet higher than projected ridership.
To cover the costs of the 2008 Transportation and Financial Plan, TransLink proposes to rely on existing revenue sources. Specifically, residential property tax revenue would increase by three per cent (two per cent for inflation and one per cent for growth). Given continuing increases in assessed property values, property tax rates will likely decline. Non-residential property tax revenue would increase by three per cent (two per cent for inflation and one per cent for growth) plus the parking site tax ($18 million) would be transferred to four non-residential property tax classes.
In addition, a transit fare revenue increase of six per cent is proposed, representing general inflation over the 2005-2007 period. In fact, TransLink’s operating costs are growing faster than the Consumer Price Index and fare revenues. The last fare increase was in 2005.
Unlike other transportation agencies, TransLink has not imposed a fuel surcharge, and Greater Vancouver transit fares are relatively low compared with other major transit systems in Canada. Under the proposed plan, monthly passes and pre-paid tickets will rise less than cash fares to reward people who use transit most. Studies show that more than two-thirds of all fares are pre-paid tickets and passes.
The 2008 Transportation and Financial Plan is an extension of TransLink’s current Three-Year Plan and consistent with TransLink’s 10-Year Outlook. Later this year, as TransLink prepares for the implementation of its new governance structure on Jan. 1, 2008, TransLink staff will begin to develop new 10 and 30-year plans. Members of the public and transportation stakeholders will have significant input into those plans.
“Not withstanding the government’s changes to our structure, the current TransLink Board has a mandate to follow through on plans to improve roads and transit, and given the public’s ongoing demands for better service, we intend to deliver those improvements,” Brodie said.
TransLink will hold eight public meetings in communities across the region to gather comments on the 2008 Transportation and Financial Plan from May 30 to June 14. In addition, TransLink will seek public input through website-based information, a public opinion survey, and a staff community relations coordinator who will respond to questions. (See attachment for meeting details.)
TransLink will also consult with transportation stakeholders, the Greater Vancouver Regional District staff and board, as well as municipal politicians. A report on the public consultation process will go to the TransLink Board in late June before the 2008 Transportation Plan goes to the TransLink board on June 27.
Meeting Schedule
| Wednesday, May 30, 2007 Richmond Cultural Centre Lecture Hall 180-7700 Minoru Gate Richmond |
Thursday, May 31, 2007 Plaza 500 Hotel Ballroom 500 West 12th Avenue Vancouver |
| Tuesday, June 5, 2007 Port Moody City Hall Inlet Theatre & Galleria 100 Newport Drive Port Moody |
Wednesday, June 6, 2007 Justice Institute Theatre 715 McBride Avenue New Westminster |
| Thursday, June 7, 2007 Langley Township Hall Council Chambers 20338 - 65 Avenue Langley |
Tuesday, June 12, 2007 Simon Fraser University Surrey Campus Lecture Hall 13450 102 Ave Surrey |
| Wednesday, June 13, 2007 Lonsdale Quay Hotel Discovery and Endeavor Meeting Rooms 123 Carrie Cates Court North Vancouver |
Thursday, June 14, 2007 Thomas Haney Centre Rotunda Room 23000 116 Avenue Maple Ridge |
