The chief executive officer of TransLink wants a rapid transit system built along the Broadway corridor but what type, when it will be built and how it will be paid for are questions he couldnt answer Tuesday.
Ian Jarvis said TransLink needs to first create an investment plan for a rail network, road system and transit-related services such as cycling before committing to rapid transit along Broadway.
When we put it all together, weve got to see what the bill is and we need to make choices not only on whats great from a transportation perspective but also what makes sense financially and whats affordable, he told reporters after delivering a speech Tuesday to a Board of Trade-sponsored event at the Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel. At some point in time [rapid transit along Broadway] will be built but thats a matter of establishing priorities.
Jarvis pointed out it cost $100 million per kilometre to construct the Canada Line. The provincial governments transit plan estimated it would cost $2.8 billion to construct a 12-kilometre line from Broadway station to the University of B.C.
Jarvis said hes well aware of the congestion at the Broadway station, pointing out more than 100,000 transit riders per day use the corridor. When the $1.4 billion Evergreen Line from Coquitlam is completed in the summer of 2016, the Broadway station is expected to see an increase of 25 per cent more transit users.
Last week, city council passed the City of Vancouvers 2040 transportation plan, which aims to have two-thirds of all trips done by foot, bike or transit by 2040.
The key to achieving that goal is the operation of an underground rapid transit system along Broadway, said Jerry Dobrovolny, the citys director of transportation.
At the root of any expansion of transit is finding money to pay for it and developing a funding mechanism that is fair and equitable to taxpayers, Jarvis said.
Weve studied what other major metropolitan areas have done and theres myriad of options that are available, he said, noting road pricing is becoming part of the solution in other cities. Its something that we need to discuss.
Last month, the mayors council on regional transportation gave the provincial government and TransLink an ultimatum to work out a long-term funding plan. The mayors have said they will cancel the agreed-to $30 million property tax hike, if the government and TransLink cant settle on a deal by Feb. 28.
Were excited about that, theres momentum there and were going to do everything we can to support [them], Jarvis said.
TransLink recently released its 2013 Base Plan and Outlook which showed the agency expects $472 million less than forecast in revenue over the next three years, mostly because of lower fuel tax and transit revenues.
The provincial governments recent audit of TransLink found $41 million in savings. The audit was mentioned in a question to Jarvis from a Board of Trade member. He pointed out about $35 million of that is related to financial policies.
We dont manage by audits, Jarvis said, noting the other savings is related to cutting transit service. What we hear loud and clear is people do not want us to cut service. So if were going to go there, we need to have a conversation with the mayors council and the communities that we serve.
Twitter: @Howellings
