Vancouver school trustee calls for TransLink to cancel proposed fare hike

TransLink is being asked to cut a planned increase in fares.

The request is coming from a Vancouver politician who believes users can’t afford it.

Last year, the Mayors’ Council said TransLink faces a $4.7 billion structural deficit unless it gets its fiscal house in order. It added that service cuts are possible if nothing changes.

But Vancouver School Board Trustee Suzie Mah says the increase in cost is going to affect families who are “already stretched to the max just putting food on the table.”

“Now it’s going to be taking money away from students who are trying to earn some extra money for school for tuition, for all sorts of other extracurricular activities that they might be involved in,” Mah explained.

According to Translink, fares for adults, youth, and seniors could be going up by as much as 5 cents per ride, something Mah says adds up quickly for daily commuters.

“My concern, of course, is for students in Vancouver, but then the vulnerable population will be seniors and also those working class people that have to take transit to get to work,” she added.

Mah says fare increases will create barriers at a time when the cost of living is already a huge problem. She adds public transit is a public right, saying it’s good for people, the economy, and the environment.