The Province is supporting public transit expansion for people in Metro Vancouver through a significant investment in TransLink that will mean better and more convenient service, lower emissions, and healthier, more livable communities
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British Columbia is contributing more than $2.4 billion to advance key transit and infrastructure priorities, including the Surrey Langley Skytrain and electrification of the bus fleet, as part of its ongoing commitment to fund 40% of the Mayors’ Council 10-Year Vision.
“We’re making investments to support a better future for people throughout Metro Vancouver with more affordable and convenient travel options, cleaner air and less climate pollution,†said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy and Minister Responsible for TransLink.
“By supporting TransLink to help provide public transit options that connect us to our communities, workplaces, friends and families, we’re building more vibrant communities with easier access to jobs, housing, recreation and services people depend on.â€
TransLink’s investment plan 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 plan will help TransLink replace more than one third of its diesel bus fleet with approximately 500 battery-electric buses and buses that run on renewable natural gas. It will also provide opportunities to build more complete, liveable communities with affordable housing and increased density around transit lines,
This new commitment builds on previous provincial funding in TransLink’s 2018 investment plan, which funded increased bus and HandyDART services, better and expanded SkyTrain service, and construction of the Broadway subway.
The Province partnered with the federal government in 2020 to provide TransLink more than $675 million in Safe Restart funding to ensure continued essential transit services for 2020 and 2021, to keep fare increases capped at 2.3% until the end of 2024, and to enable free transit for children 12 and younger.
In April 2022, an additional $176 million in provincial and federal funding was announced for TransLink for 2023 to 2025. ■