South Delta is a challenge for TransLink as the transportation authority looks to improve service south of the Fraser River.
That was the message from Robert Paddon, TransLink's executive vice-president of customer service and public engagement, in a presentation and question-and-answer session Thursday during a Delta Chamber of Commerce luncheon.
Paddon's presentation came as the transportation authority is mired in controversy, most notably due to the question of where it will find the money to undertake an expansion plan.
Some of the challenges in South Delta, he said, stem from the fact 73 per cent of all its commuter trips leave the community but only 38 per cent of its bus capacity is utilized. That works out to a much higher per passenger cost than other areas.
"I'd be the first to say that we'd like to have more service here. I think we should have longer hours, more frequent service. That is important for us to have in many areas south of the Fraser, and we need more service in other corridors as well," Paddon said.
"One of the challenges with the service in our region, particularly with our geography, is that it costs more to deliver it in some parts of our region than others...but it's coverage and it's important people can access the rest of the network."
Paddon said increased development in South Delta over the next few years should help increase ridership.
The region's mayors have been working with TransLink to come up with new money to fund transportation improvements. The Mayors' Council last year approved a two-cents-a-litre gas tax increase to generate $40 million annually for the Evergreen Line.
The mayors also agreed to a two-year property tax hike to fund further improvements, but first other avenues would be sought. The levy for 2013 and 2014 would have worked out to $23 on the average home in the region.
The mayors, however, recently backtracked after a proposed substantial fare increase was rejected by TransLink's commissioner, suggesting instead the transportation authority look for efficiencies.
As a result, CEO Ian Jarvis said all future expansion plans for the Metro Vancouver transit system are being halted, but the Evergreen Line will still go ahead. The move will affect planned transit service improvements south of the Fraser.
Jarvis later announced there would be a more moderate fair increase. He also confirmed TransLink supports a provincial audit proposed by Premier Christy Clark to find efficiencies and cost savings. As part of TransLink's recent restructuring, a top-level executive was axed.
Paddon said Thursday that TransLink, which has already been looking for cost savings over the past couple of years, has seen its revenues come under expenses the past three years. That is adding to the existing deficit, which won't be helped with revenues from the gas tax expected to come in lower than originally anticipated.
He said TransLink has committed to finding savings of $20 million per year to address the deficit.
Paddon noted TransLink is still committed to enhancing service south of the Fraser, which in turn will encourage more people utilize transit.
A recent presentation by a TransLink-created group gave Delta council another opportunity to criticize transit service in the community. Representatives from the Travel Smart Program appeared before civic politicians to explain their program, which encourages people to make more sustainable travel choices, including transit, walking, cycling and ride sharing.
Mayor Lois Jackson said it sounds like a good initiative, but it could be difficult for Deltans because of inadequate bus service.
Some of the queries from the floor at Thursday's chamber luncheon included a complaint from Bernadette Kudzin, constituency assistant for Delta South MLA Vicki Huntington. Kudzin told Paddon seniors are upset about losing their direct bus service to Vancouver in favour of buses being diverted to the Canada Line in Richmond.
Noting TransLink can't justify keeping the previous service, Paddon said the transportation authority has been in touch with the MLA and that an accessibility group, which has a representative from South Delta, is looking into the issue.
