Mayors call on federal government to accelerate new Permanent Transit Fund to support transit expansion plans

AT their final meeting before local government elections next month, the Mayors’ Council on Regional Transportation. approved its submission to Infrastructure Canada’s public consultation on the design of the $3 billion per year Permanent Transit Fund (PTF).

The mayors are calling on the federal government to accelerate the roll-out of this new funding program – worth an estimated $340 million annually to TransLink – to 2024 so that the region’s ambitious transit expansion plan can proceed as proposed.

The federal government announced the creation of the Permanent Transit Fund in Budget 2021 to begin delivering permanent predictable funding in 2026 after existing funds expire. TransLink has committed all currently available federal transit funding to specific projects from the 10-Year Vision and the recently approved 2022 Investment Plan.

In June, the Mayors’ Council and TransLink approved an ambitious transit expansion plan, Transport 2050: 10-Year Priorities, designed to ready Metro Vancouver for a growing population and economy, and to respond to the climate and housing affordability crises.

“Accelerating the Permanent Transit Fund to 2024 will help get TransLink started on implementing the first phase of the 10-Year Priorities without delay,” said New Westminster Mayor Jonathan Cote, Chair of the Mayors’ Council, on Thursday. “We heard loud and clear from residents during public consultation last spring that they expect to see action quickly on transit expansion, climate and affordability. We are ready to go, and we are calling on the federal government to respond to this sense of urgency.”

The submission also calls on the Government of Canada to work with TransLink and the Province of British Columbia to develop a new funding model for public transit that is more resilient and equitable and ensures that TransLink has new resources to meet the increased operating and capital requirements to deliver the 10-Year Priorities.

“The Government of Canada has been a key partner with us in expanding and greening transit in Metro Vancouver over the past eight years,” said Langley Township Mayor Jack Froese, Vice Chair of the Mayors’ Council. “We are looking for the government to accelerate and expand its support in recognition of the increased expectations of transit to do more than ever before to help tackle housing affordability, GHG emission reductions and other national challenges.”