TransLink announces property tax, fare increases to fund system for next 3 years

Justin McElroy · CBC News

· Posted: Apr 10, 2025 4:38 PM EDT | Last Updated: 2 minutes ago

TransLink and the B.C. authorities person announced a operation of taxation increases, fare increases and caller backing that volition extremity the systemic shortage that has plagued Metro Vancouver's transit authorization since the pandemic — astatine slightest for the adjacent 3 years.

News releases issued by the authorities and TransLink outlined the details, which volition person to beryllium approved by the Mayors' Council and TransLink committee connected April 30. 

The statement includes:

• A 0.5 per cent property taxation summation crossed Metro Vancouver, adding astir $20 to the median household;
• A 5 cent summation successful transit fares opening successful July;
• A $1.50 summation successful the YVR AddFare for trips from Vancouver International Airport;
• An summation successful off-street parking taxes from 24 per cent to 29 per cent;
• $312 cardinal from the provincial authorities implicit the adjacent 3 years.

According to TransLink, the woody volition support them fiscally sustainable until the extremity of 2027. It volition besides let them to summation work connected up to 50 autobus routes, adhd 40 caller oregon further routes, and widen the North Short RapidBus to Metrotown by 2027. 

In a release, some the authorities and TransLink applauded the deal, ending years of sometimes contentious negotiations implicit creating a caller concern exemplary to mitigate the effects of decreased post-pandemic ridership aft decreased gross from state taxes.

"This projected program allows america to get backmost to what we bash best, which is delivering transit services that Metro Vancouver residents privation and expect," said TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn successful a statement. 

"We admit the investments from our authorities partners which volition assistance america to grow transit services to acceptable up the portion for maturation and semipermanent prosperity."

Transportation Minister Mike Farnworth said "we cognize TransLink was facing a important shortage arsenic costs and request for work increased, and had warned of drastic cuts to services." 

"Our authorities is committed to protecting services for the radical of B.C."

The statement follows the national authorities pledging much than $1.5 cardinal implicit 10 years for TransLink in March.