Delta Council adopts motion to protect vital transit routes

AT a Special Council Meeting on Tuesday, Delta Council adopted a motion to take steps to protect Delta’s vital transit routes—now at risk due to funding shortfalls at TransLink. 

These funding issues could see the future cancellation of many Delta bus routes starting in 2026, dramatically impacting the ability of residents to travel within and out of the City. Responding to this concerning news, Delta Council called a Special Council Meeting, during which they directed staff to develop an advocacy plan to ensure TransLink receives the provincial funding it needs to maintain service in Delta and other suburban communities.

Delta Mayor George V. Harvie said: “Thousands of Delta residents depend on transit every single day to get to work, school, medical appointments, and other essential activities. Losing these routes would be devastating for our community, impacting the local economy, the lives of residents, as well as our environmental sustainability.”

He added: “At a time when the Province is encouraging cities like Delta to increase housing and take action on climate change, it is reasonable to expect they will provide adequate funding to maintain the provincial infrastructure, like transit, required to make those initiatives successful. We are calling on the Province to step in and ensure the continued viability of transit services in Delta and across the Lower Mainland.”

The potential cancellation of Delta’s bus routes and a decrease in HandyDART services would disproportionately impact youth, seniors, and equity-seeking groups. The absence of viable transit options would make it necessary for nearly every Delta resident to own a vehicle, putting more cars on the road when congestion—particularly around the George Massey Tunnel—is already a significant challenge, according to Delta Council.

In addition to urging the Province to provide TransLink with necessary funding, Delta Council also directed City staff to prepare coordinated advocacy efforts at the Union of BC Municipalities Conference in September, as well as engage with Delta residents and stakeholders to raise awareness and mobilize community support for the preservation of essential transit services.