No steep TransLink fare hike means delayed expansion: expert
Posted April 12, 2012 9:10 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
LOWER MAINLAND (NEWS1130) – People who live south of the Fraser should expect transit expansion to be put on hold. That’s what one expert tells us as TransLink’s commissioner rejects a proposed 12.5 per cent fare hike.
People have been calling for expansion, particularly in fast-growing areas like Surrey, Delta, and Langley.
Transportation expert Gordon Price from SFU agrees. “Unfortunately, it’s in the most important part of the region, in my opinion. It’s south of the Fraser, in the fast-growing parts out to the eastern part of the region.”
“I would feel [people in the area are] being unfairly treated,” he adds.
But Price says it would be foolish for TransLink to try to expand, considering all the money issues its dealing with. “You’ve got to do better with what you’ve got. But it will only enable you to maintain, at best, your existing level of service.”
He suggests the transit authority will have to focus on maintaining its current fleet and will have to put expansion plans on hold for years.
