TransLink losing $75-million a month as ridership falls during pandemic: sources
Posted April 13, 2020 1:27 pm.
Last Updated April 13, 2020 2:39 pm.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) –TransLink is losing upwards of $75 million a month due to the slowdown in ridership during the pandemic, and it could end up affecting some routes, sources tell NEWS 1130
Leadership is concerned about how long it can continue to offer the same level of service on major routes. It also worries how reduced trips could lead to crowding or long wait times with fewer busses running.
#EXCLUSIVE Sources tell me TransLink is losing $75-million a month amid #COVID19 pandemic. You can expect leadership and the mayors council to appeal to senior levels of government this week for financial assistance. Listen for more details this afternoon @NEWS1130
— Martin MacMahon (@martinmacmahon) April 13, 2020
Sources say TransLink will be appealing for emergency funding from the provincial and federal governments.
Translink hasn’t collected bus fares since March 20 when it made the move to rear-door boarding only. Fares were also suspended on the HandyDART system during the pandemic.
However, as SkyTrain, West Coast Express, and Seabus fares were still being collected, some TransLink schedules had to be reduced with few people relying on transit.
RELATED: TransLink waiving bus fares with move to rear-door boarding to combat spread of COVID-19
TransLink adjusted some schedules at the end of March to account for the decline in ridership then.
Another reduction came a short time after with major drops reported for SeaBus, West Coast Express, as well as buses.
Jonathan Cote, chair of the Mayors’ Council, is expected to address the difficult financial state of TransLink Tuesday.
