30 April 2010
Commission issues Annual Report for 2009

The Commission's 2009 Annual Report to the Mayors' Council notes that the year was extraordinarily eventful for transport in metro Vancouver. The Council’s approval of TransLink's Funding Stabilization plan in October ends the steep climb in the quantity of transit service fielded by TransLink, but gives an opportunity for focussing on delivery efficiency. There is now a breathing space to tackle in a less pressured way (than in 2009) the conundrum of funding for transit expansion. TransLink's 30-year vision presents a vastly greater expansion challenge than the gentler increase that would follow just population growth (forecast at 45% by 2040). Urban densification and transport demand management (especially pricing reforms) are key to effective transit spending. Without either (a) an accelerated advance to user pay (all modes) and/or (b) public acceptance of much higher levels of per capita taxation for transit, the vision is not attainable.

The report formally confirms that TransLink operated according to its approved plan for 2009, based on a review of TransLink’s 2009 Statutory Report (a 96 page pdf file). The cost of running the commission in 2009 was 50% of the legislated budget ceiling.

22 March 2010
Commissioner states no objection to land sales

Following an exchange of letters with TransLink starting 4 November 2009, Commission Memorandum 4 states that (1) real estate assets with a value of $10 million or more should be considered “major” for the purposes of the SCBCTA Act s. 226, and that (2) the Commission will not be objecting to the sale of four specific major real estate assets. The Commissioner notes that TransLink plans to sell five properties to fund operations under the its Funding Stabilization plan; he has reservations on the wisdom of selling assets to fund operations, and notes that TransLink intends to start a segregated revolving fund for real estate acquisitions and sales.

11 February 2010
Commissioner addresses Mayors and publishes reasons for FareSaver ticket decision

The Commissioner addressed a public session of the Mayors’ Council on 3 February 2010, to explain and respond to questions on his recent decisions on TransLink’s applications for (1) a Canada Line YVR Add Fare and (2) transit fare increases through 2019. Here is his slide presentation to the Mayors’ Council. Although written reasons for the Add Fare decision had already been published (see 7 January entry below), reasons for the fare increase decision had not. These are published today attached to Commission Order 10-01 and can be downloaded here (a 2.5 MB PDF file). See also the page FareSaver Increases for more detail.

29 January 2010
Commission publishes FareSaver ticket decision

The Commission has approved an increase the price of FareSaver transit tickets (purchased in books of 10) effective 1 April 2010. Cash fares are unaffected. For detail and background, see the page FareSaver Increases on this web site.

7 January 2009
Commission publishes Canada Line YVR Add Fare Decision

The Commission has approved a one-way (east-bound) $5.00 Canada Line premium. This will be paid by passengers who need to buy a transit ticket from a ticket machine at the three stations on Sea Island (YVR-Airport, Sea Island Centre and Templeton). Exempt from the premium are passengers travelling with FareSaver tickets (purchased in books of 10), monthly FareCards and U-Passes. For detail and background, see the page Canada Line YVR Add Fare Decision on this web site.