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 questionand-answer session last 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.
As a result, TransLink CEO Ian Jarvis said all future expansion plans for the Greater Vancouver transit system are being halted except for the Evergreen Line.
