TransLink to target fare evaders to make up annual funding gap: cost-cutting plan

TransLink says that as part of its strategy to reduce its funding gap and increase its revenue, it’s going to target fare evaders on the Metro Vancouver transit system, among other things.

On Thursday, the transit provider released a series of “efficiency measures,” including “corporate cost-cutting,” that will see it save $90 million per year.

“TransLink’s cost-cutting measures include corporate cost reductions and reduced staffing. It does not include any cuts to transit services for customers and is instead structured to safeguard transit service for as long as possible. The plan also identifies additional revenues and optimization of debt management,” it said in a statement.

TransLink explained as part of the measures, it will be “eliminating 35 unfilled corporate roles and deferring other positions;” increasing fare evasion enforcement across the transit network; reducing third-party contractors; reducing research grants and projects; and reducing leadership training courses, and more.

“We have worked closely with the Mayors’ Council and TransLink’s Board to take decisive action to examine our costs amidst this financial challenge. As a result, we’ve made some tough, but necessary decisions,” TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn said.

“Many of the corporate programs and strategic initiatives we are scaling back played an important role in bringing riders back to our system, but now we must do whatever we can to reduce our long-term funding gap. The urgency of solving this crisis cannot be understated as we will be forced to look at service reductions at the end of 2025, should a solution not be found for our broken funding model.”

TransLink shared the measured will be implemented “right away.”

The transit provider also shared what it sees as “several issues” with its funding model, including a decline in revenue due to electric and hybrid vehicles not contributing toward the regional fuel tax; fare increases are not rising at the same rate as inflation; and an increase in costs and expansions needed to the network.

“If there is one thing we can all agree on – it’s that no one wants to see less transit in Metro Vancouver,” said Mayors’ Council Chair Brad West. “This Mayors’ Council has been fighting for a solution that would allow for transit expansion, not reductions, for residents in our communities, but time is running out. Everyone needs to be part of that solution, and I’m pleased that Translink has looked inward to find considerable savings and efficiencies that helps to close the funding gap.”

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