The TransLink board meets for the first time today with its doors closed to the public.
The board, led by new chairman Dale Parker, announced last month it would close its meetings to the public, saying closed meetings are more effective to develop its strategic plans.
The board originally said it will hold meetings accessible to public delegations four times a year -- at its discretion -- but is now reconsidering its decision.
Ken Hardy told CTV News that the public will have continued access to TransLink by writing to the board and says the idea to close the doors to the public was "speculation."
"The public has a huge stake in things that happen there," he said. "Which is why there has always been and will continue to be a lot of access. Not only before decisions are made -- but a lot of opportunity to talk about the decisions that are made."
Critics are concerned the board will make major decisions without public consultation, using taxpayers' dollars.
But the board says major decisions, such as raising fares or taxes, will have to go to a council of Lower Mainland mayors before they can be approved.
City Councillor David Cadman says the meetings need to be accessible to the public because it is a public transit system.
"If you're going to run a public transit system, then you need to hear from the public," Cadman told CTV's Maria Weisgarber. "This minister (Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon) really doesn't want public transit, he wants to privatize it, through public-private partnerships."
A representative of the Bus Riders Union also told CTV News that TransLink is a public institution and the meetings should be accessible to the public.
