As I posted in July, starting in 2026, TransLink will have to cut transit service by 50% if we cannot develop a new deal to fund transit service in our region with the federal and provincial governments. The short of it is that as more people are taking transit and switching to EVs, the gas tax (a significant funding source) continues to decline.
TransLink staff commissioned a report called "Economic Impacts of Potential Service Cuts" which is on today's Mayors' Council meeting agenda.
Reduced transit service by 50% would increase the average household's costs by $993 annually. For some perspective, the average household pays about $200 per year in fuel tax to TransLink.
$638 of that impact would be due to people having to find alternative ways to get around other than by transit. $236 would be because of a loss of access to jobs and increased congestion. $108 would be due to increased vehicle operating costs, including insurance premiums, and $10 would be due to the increased cost of goods due to increased congestion.
Big picture, cutting transit service by 50% would have a $1 billion negative impact on our economy in Metro Vancouver.
These transit cuts would also increase congestion by 20%. The following map shows where people would see changed travel times with a 50% transit cut.
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| Map of changing travel times on Metro Vancouver road network with 50% transit service cuts. Green means decreased travel time, and red means increased travel time. Select the map to enlarge. |
I'm certain that the majority of folks in Metro Vancouver and whoever forms the next provincial government do not want to see transit service cut, so I am hopeful that we will find a new deal to fund transit service in our region.
Please read the September 25, 2024, Mayors' Council agenda for the full report.
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