Potential 2026 Transit Cuts Means 20% Increase in Congestion, $1 Billion Negative Annual Economic Impact

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.

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.

Langley City Centre SkyTrain Station Includes Washrooms, Retail & Mini-Police Station

I'm excited about the Surrey Langley SkyTrain extension, which extends the Expo Line and provides a one-seat ride from Langley City to Downtown Vancouver. Langley City will be served by two stations (Willowbrook and Langley City Centre.)

Langley City Centre SkyTrain Station view from 203rd Street. Select the rendering to enlarge.

Langley City's Advisory Design Panel and City Council recently reviewed the design of the Langley City Centre Station. This station has some great features, making it unique among the new stations the province is building for the extension.

Langley City Centre SkyTrain Station landscaping plan. Select the rendering to enlarge.

The first is that the station is designed for high capacity. The station will have a centre platform, two sets of up/down escalators, and two elevators. It will have two entrances, one on the west and another on the east. While I've heard some folks talk about parks and rides, almost all SkyTrain riders start their journey on foot/wheeling or by bus. Park and rides are not a part of any of the new SkyTrain stations. Langley City Centre Station will accommodate a significant transit exchange that can support Bus Rapid Transit. Langley City is a highly walkable community.

Langley City Centre SkyTrain Station transit exchange. Select the rendering to enlarge.

The station will also have a transit police office, secure bike parking, washrooms, and a retail outlet.

The station will also have a plaza on the south with many shade trees. Over time, I expect people will construct mixed-use buildings to the immediate south of the station.

As part of the SkyTrain project and to support improved access, the province and City are extending Industrial Avenue to 203A Street and 203A Street to Fraser Highway.

The station's construction and finishing materials will be durable and resistant to vandalism. The station will also feature a lot of glass to improve safety, ensuring no hidden spaces.

The station will feature public art and design features, such as a wave design in the concrete sidewalks that symbolize the Nicomekl River and will extend along all of Industrial Avenue.

September 23 Council Notes: Apartment Project and New Garbage Collection

Last night's Langley City Council meeting was brief, with two items that Council voted on in the agenda.

The first was to give third reading to a rezoning bylaw update for a 64-unit apartment project on Michaud Crescent with 7 three-bedroom units, 43 two-bedroom units, 5 one-bedroom + flex units, and 9 one-bedroom units. Third reading is considered "approval-in-principle" for a rezoning. The applicant will now work with the city to finalize the design, pay required deposits, and pay development cost charges and community amenity charges for infrastructure to accommodate population growth, among other things. Once this is completed, Council will consider the final reading of the rezoning and issue a development permit. You can read more about this project in a previous post.

Council also deferred voting on a new garbage collection contract for detached homes and small townhouse/rowhouse complexes until the October 7th Council meeting. You can read more about proposed changes to garbage collection in a previous post.

Langley City Council's Provincial Asks Endorsed by Other Councils at UBCM Convention

Earlier this month, I posted about the four resolutions from Langley City Council that we sent to the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) convention for debate and potential endorsement by the UBCM membership. UBCM members are local government elected representatives.

Locally elected representatives from across BC gathered at the Vancouver Convention Centre last week for the annual UBCM convention. I posted about Langley City Council's meetings with various provincial government ministers at UBCM last week. You can read about those meetings in part one and part two of a series.

I wanted to provide a brief update on Langley City's submitted resolutions.

Many municipalities put forward resolutions calling on the provincial government to create a comprehensive funding framework that supports local fire departments that respond to medical emergencies. Our resolution was combined with similar resolutions from the Nanaimo Regional District, Tofino, Port Alberni, and the Okanagan-Similkameen Regional District. The UBCM membership approved this resolution.

Langley City also proposed a resolution asking that the provincial government expand its Homeless Response and Shelter Support program to more municipalities. Unfortunately, Langley City has the third-largest population of people who are unhoused in Metro Vancouver, yet this program has not been implemented in our community. The membership also approves this resolution.

There is no courthouse in Langley City or Township, even though we have a combined population larger than Kelowna or my hometown of Vernon, each with provincial and supreme courts. There is only one courthouse in the South of Fraser in Metro Vancouver (in Surrey.) In growing communities or rural areas, getting access to court services can be challenging. Langley City's resolution calling on the province to expand access to court services was approved by the UBCM membership.

Langley City Council also put forward a resolution calling on the province to provide funding or other supports to help communities "complete the required updates to Official Community Plans, Environmental Servicing Plans as well as to review the impacts on all community infrastructure" due to new housing legislation. Many UBCM members thought this request was too broad, and the membership did not endorse it.