TransLink has unveiled its 2025 Investment Plan and encouraged those living in Greater Vancouver to voice their opinion during the public consultation period, which will end on April 24.
The plan is set to be voted on by the Mayors' Council and TransLink's board on April 30.
Over the past few months, TransLink had warned that unless its $600 million annual structural deficit was addressed, it would have no choice but to reduce service on bus routes across the Lower Mainland.
Thanks to the work of elected officials and transit advocacy groups such as Movement, however, the public transportation provider has proposed a solution that not only avoids cuts, but actually increases service.
The plan includes a number of new routes to "underserved communities" and industrial hubs, as well as improvements to frequency and hours of service for dozens of the busiest existing routes. Also proposed were an increase in HandyDART trips and additional cars on the West Coast Express commuter rail line to address increasing demand.
To help ease car-fuelled congestion at parks across the Lower Mainland, the plan called for new or improved seasonal weekend service to seven "regionally significant" green spaces, including Belcarra, Campbell Valley, Centennial Beach, Golden Ears, Minnekhada, Stanley Park, and Terra Nova.
Three new Bus Rapid Transit routes have been proposed, including Langley to Maple Ridge, Surrey to White Rock, and West Vancouver to Burnaby.
As of now, TransLink only operates RapidBus and B-Line services. These new BRT lines would feature "fast, frequent and reliable service, with dedicated lanes, transit signal priority, and comfortable stations."
In preparation for the shift to BRT, the R2 — which currently travels from Park Royal in West Vancouver to Phibbs Exchange in North Vancouver — will see its route extended south to Metrotown.
While the government of British Columbia stepped in with a one-time grant of $312 million, a number of steps have been proposed to permanently address the aforementioned deficit. They include increases to property taxes, parking taxes, and fares. While the 5% jump in the latter is below inflation levels, Movement has estimated that riders will pay between $64 and $120 extra per year. Home owners, on the other hand, are expected to have to shell out an additional $20 annually via a 0.5% increase.
The price of a one-zone adult cash fare, for example, is projected to rise from $3.35 in 2025 to $3.50 in 2026. An adult three-zone monthly pass will jump from $201.55 to $211.65. West Coast Express fares, which are not included in the regular passes, will also increase.
If implemented in July 2026, the fare hikes would raise an estimated $26 million by the end of 2027. Higher property taxes would bring in an additional $44 million in 2025 and $160 million in 2027.
Those who wish to have their say can do so via TransLink's feedback portal, or by emailing investmentplan@translink.ca or calling 778-375-7377.
