The Mayors of the City and District of North Vancouver gathered alongside local business owners and the community in support of the Save Transit campaign. 

The campaign urges provincial election candidates to commit to fixing TransLink’s broken funding model and encourages the community to act by sending letters to local candidates.

“North Shore residents, employers and workers have had enough of traffic congestion and overcrowding on buses,” said Linda Buchanan, mayor of the City of North Vancouver. “The Mayors of the North Shore have worked to ensure rapid transit for our communities is a priority in the Access for Everyone Plan, but instead of moving forward, our transit system is under threat. Without provincial funding, we are facing drastic cuts to service that will immediately put thousands more cars on our roads.”

According to a recent survey, it was revealed that 77% of North Shore residents believe transit is an important election issue. Most North Shore residents also showed concern about possible cuts.

The Importance of Transit

TransLink faces a $600 million structural deficit and with no new funding committed it is preparing to put the Access for Everyone plans on hold. Significant cuts are also being planned that will reduce transit services across the region.

“Whether you are driving along the Upper Levels Highway, getting through town on city streets or trying to access either of the bridges, traffic congestion has become a grim reality for the North Shore that is only getting worse as our population grows,” said Mike Little, mayor of the District of North Vancouver. “We can’t delay better transit infrastructure any longer. We have the plan for transit expansion, and we’re ready to go. The residents of the North Shore deserve to know whether provincial election candidates will commit to ensuring we have the resources available to continue to grow as a region.”

Without a new, sustainable funding model for TransLink, plans for a new Bus Rapid Transit line from Park Royal to Metrotown will be shelved.

Transit cuts will mean most bus services on the North Shore would be reallocated to higher population areas in the region. The remaining bus services could end at 8 p.m.

What Happens Without Change

InterVistas Consulting Inc. released a report outlining the economic impact of service cuts and cited that much of the North Shore would be left with little to no transit access. The report notes that congestion would increase by up to 20% across Metro Vancouver.

Cuts to transit could limit mobility for workers and make jobs on the North Shore more difficult to access. Fewer people would be willing to travel in and out of the area for work and those who do would likely have to travel by vehicle. All of this would shrink the North Shore job pool and hinder economic growth and output.

“The North Shore is an invaluable contributor to the regional and national economy,” Mayor Buchanan added. “We are home to Canada’s largest port and many other vital employers. If congestion prevents these employers from delivering, the economic ripple effect will be felt well beyond the North Shore.”

Pushing for Changes

TransLink's Mayors’ Council sent an open letter to B.C. political party leaders calling for them to commit to immediate funding for Trans Link and roll out the first phase of the Access for Everyone plan in April 2025.

Other organizations from around the region have joined the Mayors’ Council in calling for transit investment.

“As the election approaches, we need North Shore residents to make their voices heard and for candidates to listen,” added Mayor Little. “We have had enough of congestion and delays. It’s time for the next Provincial government to do the right thing, support the Access for Everyone plan and save transit for our community and our region.”

Metro Vancouver residents can visit the Access for Everyone website to send a letter to their local candidates and provincial party leaders.