Mayors’ Council welcomes election commitments on public transit
October 3, 2024
New Westminster (October 3, 2024) – With B.C.’s three main political parties making clear their commitments to transit and transportation, the Mayors’ Council on Regional Transportation is pleased that all parties have pledged immediate funding to sustain and expand transit service in Metro Vancouver.
The BC Conservative commitment to provide two years of funding for TransLink while developing a long-term solution for transit’s broken funding model is particularly welcome, as the Mayors’ Council has been raising the alarm that service cuts could be coming if more sustainable funding sources are not identified.
The BC NDP’s platform includes a commitment to work with the Mayors’ Council to “continue expanding and strengthening transit service” and to build priority projects identified in TransLink’s Access for Everyone expansion plan. A similar commitment was made recently by the BC Green party.
“Clearly, provincial leaders have been hearing from the public that investment in transit needs to be a priority for the next government,” said Mayor Brad West, Chair of the Mayors’ Council. “Now we look forward to hearing more specifics from the parties about how they will fix TransLink’s broken funding model. The Mayors’ Council is ready to get to work with the new government immediately following the election.”
About the Mayors’ Council on Regional Transportation
The Mayors’ Council is the collective voice of Metro Vancouver residents on transit and transportation. Our members include representatives from each of the 21 municipalities in TransLink’s service area, as well as Electoral Area ‘A’ and the Tsawwassen First Nation. It is responsible for approving TransLink’s transportation plans, identifying local funding and negotiating with other levels of government to make those plans a reality.
Media Contacts:
Giulia Turco giulia@earnscliffe.ca 236-889-1704
Anna Lilly anna@earnscliffe.ca 604-505-9048