REVscene Automotive Forum - TransLink seeks 12.5-per-cent fare hike

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TransLink seeks 12.5-per-cent fare hike

Surrey Leader - TransLink seeks 12.5-per-cent fare hike

Quote:

TransLink has applied to raise transit fares an average of 12.5 per cent in January 2013 and this time the planned increases are to hit all riders.

If approved, cash fares would rise 25 to 50 cents to between $2.75 for one zone and $5.50 for three zones.

A book of 10 pre-paid one-zone FareSaver tickets would rise $2.50 to $23.50, while a three-zone book would climb $5 to $47.

Monthly passes would cost $91 for one zone (up $10); $124 for or two-zones (up $14); or $170 for three zones (up $19.)

Concession fares would also go up.

The last across-the-board fare increase was in 2008, while a 2010 hike for monthly pass and FareSavers kept cash fares frozen.

The increases would generate an extra $48 million in 2013 to help fund transit expansion plans passed last year with the approval of Metro Vancouver mayors.

But TransLink Commissioner Martin Crilly, TransLink's independent regulator, has the power to veto the fare hike and is taking a hard look at the justification and whether the transportation authority has done enough to increase efficiency.

"What we're probing for is any evidence we can find that TransLink can actually manage with less revenue than is in its plans currently – including the fare increase – and still deliver all the projects and services that are in its approved plans," Crilly said.

He could reduce the fare hike if he judges TransLink can make do with less or find more money elsewhere.

The commissioner is calling for the public to comment on the proposed increase by by emailing comments@translinkcommission.org by Feb. 15.

TransLink says it hasn't decided what measures or service cuts it would impose if the fare increase isn't approved.

But in a series of answers to Crilly's questions, the authority indicates it could still raise monthly pass prices, since the regulator only has authority to block short-term fare hikes.

Bus service could also be cut, TransLink said, but noted it would have to eliminate 300,000 service hours or six per cent of total bus service to achieve a $25 million cut in spending.

And although faregates are coming to SkyTrain, TransLink doesn't expect to recoup much money by eliminating fare evasion.

It estimates its rollout of faregates and Compass smart cards in 2013 will save close to $7 million a year, but says those savings are already assumed in TransLink's financial plans.

Crilly must rule on the fare hike by March 27.

Any decision must ensure TransLink can still deliver the expanded services it promises and remain on sound financial footing.

He expects a further request from TransLink to change its fare structure sometime in mid-2013, when Compass payment cards are to be rolled out.

Crilly has hired Shirocca Consulting to analyze TransLink's finances and provide advice on potential areas for savings.

He intends to look at administrative costs and has also asked TransLink to explain how it has responded to recommendations the provincial government's Comptroller General issued in 2009 after a review of the transportation authority.

That report found TransLink had an "excessive" number of senior executives, prompting the CEO to eliminate three vice-presidents.

A 2013 fare increase would come on the heels of an already approved two-cent gas tax increase next April to fund part of TransLink's contribution to the Evergreen Line as well as a package of other transit upgrades.

Mayors and the province are also committed to negotiate new funding sources for TransLink, otherwise a property tax increase kicks in to pay for the balance of the newly approved projects.

GOOD

Better to charge the riders than adding another BS tax to gas or something.

Translink has to get their bonuses some how :troll:

Jesus, 91 bucks a month? Now I don't think i can able to afford my pleasure insurance :okay:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Santofu (Post 7756558)

Jesus, 91 bucks a month? Now I don't think i can able to afford my pleasure insurance :okay:

you should see the price for month pass in Toronto

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Originally Posted by xilley (Post 7756568)

you should see the price for month pass in Toronto

Its $94/mn in Ottawa for less service, at least Toronto has fantastic service within the metro-Toronto area.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1exotic (Post 7756553)

GOOD

Better to charge the riders than adding another BS tax to gas or something.

Strongly agree with this

at least we can all write off the monthly passes with out taxes...

should raise it even more

This at least makes me just slightly less angry that I'm getting charged additional taxes for gas when I don't even ride the bus. However, Translink still fucking sucks.

they should hike up transit everytime there is a renovation or a new line instead of the bs carbon tax hiked up on cars to pay for transit projects

hit the transit riders for transit improvements, hit the drivers for new bridges or fixing roads, how hard is that to understand?

Quote:

Originally Posted by StylinRed (Post 7756605)

should raise it even more

Raise it....to over 9000.

i hope they tax the shit out of transit, they're the reasons why the bridge is gonna be tolled and the whole green line or whatever going to be put in besides i don't use transit except 1/2 times a year for canuck games :fuckthatshit:

I will only support the raise, if gas tax is eliminated. Not in favor of double dipping.

On an ironic note, insurance for my car and 3zone pass is now the same. tell me why i should take transit? assume I live in surrey :)

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Originally Posted by tiger_handheld (Post 7756985)

But transit is already funded by all sorts of different taxes.

If you work downtown - a parking pass downtown will easily cost you $150 - $200 a spot. That's where you would save a lot of money.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gars (Post 7756604)

at least we can all write off the monthly passes with out taxes...

We actually can't write it off. We get a tax credit for 15% of what the passes are.

So if you spend $100 on transit pass, your taxes decrease by $15. So you're effectively paying $85 for the pass instead of $100.

translink management is completely out of fucking control. Fire those bastards

Quote:

Originally Posted by Santofu (Post 7756558)

Jesus, 91 bucks a month? Now I don't think i can able to afford my pleasure insurance :okay:

It used to be $68 a couple years ago.

YEAH!

For once I agree with someone raising the price of something in this province!

Now, ffs, can they install the turnstiles faster!? Maybe once EVERY RIDER pays, they will stop bitching about how much it costs to operate.

buy all the fare savers at 2.50 before they go up to 2.75

well that's good a sign but still sad to see expensive transit....goodbye 2.25 hello!!! 2.75:woot2:

Quote:

Originally Posted by dinosaur (Post 7757232)

Agree! I take the skytrain to work and one of my ex co-worker never paid a dime for 4+years :suspicious: Is so easy to get away not paying the skytrain during rush hours coz they NEVER CHECK for fares during rush hours......... even if u do get caught just make some BS and they let u off the hook.......

All I can say is with the fare increase more ppl will try not to pay for it..........

Good thing I have a social worker she gives me free faresaver 3 zone tickets. But I don't even use it! but sigh
Posted via RS Mobile

charge more for people WHO ACTUALLY use the damn service... geez... they finally got that idea through their heads...

Quote:

Originally Posted by tiger_handheld (Post 7756985)

I will only support the raise, if gas tax is eliminated. Not in favor of double dipping.

I agree, it's a step in the right direction of making people pay for THEIR services, but still bullshit. We are never going to see the Carbon tax be decreased even though auto manufacturers are going in the right direction..