Transit needs to be cheap in order to be effective
Commuters shouldn’t have to pay increased fares to offset TransLink’s budget deficit
TransLink's fee hike hurts commuters who rely on buses and the SkyTrain. (File photo/Austin Kelly)
This summer, TransLink is continuing its yearly tradition of raising fees for transit users in Metro Vancouver — a $0.05 increase for single zone commutes, $0.10 for two-zone commutes, and $0.15 for three zone commutes.
After a brief pause from these hikes during the COVID-19 pandemic, commuters can now look forward to July 1 when they get the privilege to pay even more to use B.C.’s semi-reliable transit system.
As someone who drives, I normally wouldn’t care much about transit costs. But here’s why I pay close attention. The answer is honestly quite simple — public transit helps to reduce traffic. British Columbians and visitors made 193.6 million trips on public transit during 2022, whether that be going to work, school, or just visiting, the CBC reported. Each of these trips has a small, but meaningful impact on reducing traffic congestion.
So, why exactly does something as small as a $0.05 fare hike matter? Well, although $0.05 doesn’t seem like a lot, transit needs to be cheap in order to be effective. Commuters generally prefer cars due to their convenience. The primary incentive for taking public transit is its low cost. Logically, if we want the benefits of public transit to incur, we need to keep it cost effective — transit needs to be a viable alternative to driving.
Additionally, a large number of British Columbians rely on public transit to get to work. Workers with a higher income are more likely to be able to afford other methods of transportation, such as driving a car. However, increased transit fees disproportionately impacts workers with lower incomes who play a critical role in the economy.
TransLink will experience a severe deficit of $600 million annually beginning in 2026, the CBC reported. The transit company said they are facing “critical overcrowding” and that revenue from fare increases will help address this issue. Through these fare hikes, riders are expected to step up to help pay off their deficit.
According to their 2024 budget, transit fares only make up around 28 per cent of TransLink’s total income, with the remainder coming from other sources. Taxation makes up the biggest portion of TransLink’s revenue, covering around 42 per cent — this includes funding from Metro Vancouver’s motor fuel tax as well.
TransLink’s revenue also includes funding such as the B.C. government’s pledge of $479 million last year, which prevented serious service cuts and much higher increases to fares. This move should serve as a reminder that the province can provide funding to keep transit costs low for commuters and protect riders from higher costs.
Public transit should have one goal — to transport the public. Fare increases aren’t fair to riders, and the B.C. government’s $479 million package last year shows that there are alternative measures of securing funding without putting the burden of cost on transit riders.
