VANCOUVER—The Province of British Columbia is investing more than $2.4 billion in TransLink, Metro Vancouver’s transit network.
The funding will go to transit and infrastructure priorities such as the Surrey Langley Skytrain and electrification of the TransLink bus fleet. The investment plan also includes actions to maintain and expand transit service; support faster, more reliable bus service through bus-priority infrastructure; transition bus fleets from diesel to zero-emission vehicles; and increase active transportation investments.
The COVID-19 pandemic drastically reduced transit use throughout Metro Vancouver resulting in a sharp decrease in revenue.
“It has been a challenging few years, and we thank the provincial government for its commitment to ensure transit continues to serve residents throughout Metro Vancouver. This investment plan and the province’s support will ensure that TransLink is on solid ground while advancing priority projects for the region,” TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn said.
“The 2022 investment plan will stabilize transit funding for the region and put us in a stronger position to advance Transport 2050’s vision for a more livable and sustainable region. We are grateful for the province’s continued support for better public transit and sustainable communities across Metro Vancouver,” New Westminster Mayor and Mayors’ Council on Regional Transportation chair Jonathan Coté added.
The new investment builds on previous provincial funding in TransLink’s 2018 investment plan which went towards increased bus and HandyDART services, expanded SkyTrain service, and construction of the Broadway subway.
The province previously partnered with the federal government in 2020 to provide $675 million in Safe Restart funding to ensure essential service throughout 2020 and 2021 and in April 2022 an additional $176 million in provincial and federal funding was announced for TransLink for 2023 to 2025.
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