The B.C. government has completed its audit of TransLink and reports the potential savings are not good enough to meet the transit needs of Metro Vancouver.
The audit, released Tuesday, found $41 million in additional savings, bringing the total potential savings to $138 million per year.
In September, TransLink identified $98 million in savings.
Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Mary Polak said although TransLink acted on recommendations to cut costs throughout the audit, the savings will not be enough to meet targets.
“This is good news, but it's still not enough to meet the future transit expansion needs of Metro Vancouver,” Polak said in a release.
Polak is asking municipal leaders to work closely with TransLink and the public to develop a long-term vision for Metro Vancouver’s transit.
“The mayors should work with TransLink and the public to define the vision that meets the needs of a changing and growing region, and remains affordable for families,” Polak said.
The new 30-year strategy is due for release in August. Once the strategy has been outlined, the government will determine how the future transit system will be funded.
Further recommendations to cut costs include reducing transit police and security once fare gates are installed, service cuts to underutilized routes and reducing SkyTrain frequency during non-peak times.
