TransLink votes to increase fares by 2.3%, effective July 1

Transit fees around Metro Vancouver are on the way up, with the TransLink board voting to increase its fares Wednesday.

The vote approved a 2.3 per cent raise, amounting to about a 5¢ and 10¢ increase per trip, depending on what fares you’re paying

The increase was floated as part of its 2022 Investment Plan. TransLink notes it entered into a pandemic relief agreement with the province in 2020 that limited increases to 2.3 per cent “on average per year” between 2021 and 2024.

“These lower fare increases support affordability of fares for TransLink’s customers and Provincial economic recovery objectives. On July 1, 2021, and July 1, 2022, TransLink increased the fare rates by an average of 2.3% per year to all fare products consistent with the Agreement,” the TransLink board agenda reads.

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The increase takes effect July 1, 2023.

While the increase may not seem like much to many, some critics are questioning why the move is necessary, given recent funding TransLink received from the B.C. government.

The province provided the transit authority with a $479 million cash injection earlier in March, with the funding set to go toward helping bail TransLink out from financial shortfalls that could have led to service reductions.

Premier David Eby said on March 15 the money would go toward things like infrastructure, avoiding service cuts, and keeping free transit for kids under 12 years old.

“Hundreds of thousands of people rely on TransLink’s service every day to get to work, travel to school, and access all parts of the region,” Eby said. “Failing to act now would lead to higher fares, fewer buses on the road, and reduced service across the board. We won’t let that happen.”

TransLink said in a statement to CityNews last week that the 2.3 per cent increase is far lower than the rate of inflation.

-With files from Martin MacMahon and Charlie Carey