Have your say on Metro’s vision for public transit

In just over a month, members of the public will have the opportunity to give their feedback on a major transit and transportation plan for Metro Vancouver.

Funding was recently finalized for the second phase of the 10-Year Vision for Metro Vancouver Transportation, which will see the construction of projects such as a Broadway subway line in Vancouver and at-grade light rail in Surrey, the purchase of more SkyTrain cars and station upgrades, bus and HandyDart expansion and road, pedestrian and bike network improvements.

The federal government has agreed to pay up to 40 per cent of the cost of major capital projects, the province will fund 40 per cent of all projects in the plan, and the region is responsible for the remainder.

TransLink will use $1.6 billion in fare revenue, resources and efficiencies to cover most of its share, with increases to transit fares, property taxes, parking taxes, development cost charges, revenue from commercial opportunities and a contribution from the province making up the rest.

However, there is still more to do to advance the plan.

At their next meeting in April, members of the Mayors’ Council are expected to talk about revenue tools and approve the Phase 2 investment plan discussion guide for consultation.

Between April 30 and May 12, there will be seven or eight open houses held on TransLink’s “engagement bus” at public events in Coquitlam, Vancouver, North Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby and Richmond. At the same time, people will be able to give feedback in a public survey on the 10-year Vision website (tenyearvision.translink.ca).

The consultation results will be presented to the TransLink board of directors and Mayors’ Council on May 24.

A month later, on June 28, the board and council will vote on approval of the Phase 2 investment plan. If the plan is approved as expected, procurement and service delivery of Phase 2 projects will begin in July.