Proposed TransLink fare hike rejected

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VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – TransLink‘s commissioner has rejected a proposed 12.5 per cent fare increase.

Martin Crilly has instead asked the transit authority to find up to $60 million in savings. He suggests they they should consider making cuts in the administration department, as well as the time and money spent on bus logistics and lag time.

Crilly notes labour costs are a huge part of TransLink’s expenses; if they go up one per cent, it costs the company $6 million.

TransLink still can raise transit fares by two per cent next year; it doesn’t need the commissioner’s approval to do that.

Crilly says compared to other transit services in Canada, TransLink costs a lot of money. His recommendations come as the premier auditing TransLink and asking them to find $30 million in savings.

Fare hike would have enraged passengers: urban planner

Michael Geller says most people have lost faith in TransLink’s ability to collect the fares it should already be collecting, “as well as collect any fines that ought to be paid by those who are evading paying fares.”

He feels the hike is needed and inevitable, but now is not the time.

“I am surprised that people seem to be so negative towards the funding of transit because when you go to other cities that have wonderful transit systems, they work so very well,” he tells us.

Geller believes transit will help shape future development and movement in the Lower Mainland. “Where people can get by without owning two cars, or in some instances, without owning one car. I think it is unfortunate that transit and the whole governance issue has become so controversial and politically charged.”

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