TransLink kept ‘good news’ under wraps

Michael Smyth

Elections B.C. had hoped to release the result of the Metro Vancouver transit-tax plebiscite by the end of June, but they were still counting votes on Monday morning.

Officials have promised to give 48 hours’ notice before announcing the winner. And since Canada Day falls on Wednesday, it appears the earliest the result will come is this Thursday, Friday or even next week.

The waiting game is a nervous one for TransLink managers itching to get their hands on that proposed half-point increase in the provincial sales tax.

The Yes side promised dramatic improvements to the transit system if voters approved the new tax.

In addition to megaprojects such as a new Pattullo Bridge, light rail in Surrey and a subway to UBC, there was also the promised frequent transit network of buses that would produce significant service improvements.

That’s why it was surprising to hear TransLink boss Doug Allen warn last week that some commuters might see service reduced, not improved, even if the Yes side wins.

The “service optimization” plan would involve moving buses from lower-volume routes to busier ones, Allen said.

Well, isn’t that nice to know — a full month after the plebiscite is over?

But that’s not the only surprise from TransLink in the days after voting ended. Consider:

THE BOSS BAGGED BIG BUCKS: TransLink’s annual report, released June 16, included a breakdown of executive compensation. It revealed that former CEO Ian Jarvis got a $15,610 lift in total compensation last year, an increase of 3.3 per cent, to $483,625.

Yes, that’s the same Ian Jarvis who was subsequently demoted to a new job as a TransLink adviser at his full salary to make room for Allen, who is paid $35,000 a month.

TransLink says other executives saw their compensation reduced, for an overall executive pay cut of 5.2 per cent.

ADMINISTRATION COSTS UP: The same annual report showed TransLink administration costs soared nearly 13 per cent last year to about $31 million.

Compare that to the increase in transit ridership: up less than onehalf of one per cent. TransLink blamed the increased administration costs on pricey computer systems.

TRANSIT COPS COSTLY: The annual report showed the Transit Police spent $34.4 million last year. That’s $2.2 million over budget, or a 6.7 per cent overrun. TransLink blamed higher expenses on the union contract and filling vacant positions.

TransLink still managed to spin its annual report as good news, saying the numbers could have been worse if they hadn’t found $100 million in internal cost savings.

But I’d say the fact this “good news” report wasn’t released until after the plebiscite was done speaks for itself.

Now TransLink is holding its collective breath, hoping enough voters still held their noses and voted Yes to given them even more tax money.

I’ll stick with my original prediction that the No forces will win. But the fact that the Yes side spent $6.3 million on its campaign, while the No side spent less than 40,000 bucks, means it could be closer than some think.