TransLink pledges $71-million to fix SkyTrain

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As Lower Mainland cities prepare for a referendum next year seeking public approval on raising money for transit expansion, the regional transit authority has committed to spending $71-million to fix problems with its current SkyTrain systems.

That money, over five years, will cover the cost of implementing 20 recommendations in an independent review of the system launched after a pair of unprecedented breakdowns last July stranded thousands of passengers, some of whom pried open doors to escape stalled cars.

Ian Jarvis, the chief executive officer of TransLink, said Tuesday that TransLink would find the funds in its existing approved revenues to act on the suggestions of Gary McNeil, the former president of the Toronto region's GO Transit.

The money will pay for upgrades that include more resources to allow for evacuating stalled trains within 20 minutes of a problem, a better public-address system for trains on the light-rail system and technical adjustments to better restart SkyTrain's operating system when trains stall.

During a news conference at TransLink's headquarters in New Westminster, Mr. Jarvis was asked whether the outages, which lasted for hours, may sour voters on supporting more money for public transit in the referendum.

"It's clear that these two outages had a significant impact on our customers and the reputation of TransLink. That's why we're taking the steps that we are, investing the dollars, calling for an independent review," Mr. Jarvis said. "I believe that our record and reliability speaks for itself. This was a wake-up call."

But he acknowledged the shutdowns will have affected the public's view of SkyTrain, which runs on two lines through several Lower Mainland communities, carrying 250,000 passengers on the average weekday.

Mr. Jarvis said the independent review was aimed at restoring faith in the system after the events of July 17 and July 21 – linked to a circuit-board issue and a power failure.

Mr. McNeil noted that all transit systems face a financial pinch because they rely on taxes. "The public doesn't like paying taxes. The politicians don't like raising taxes so most public organizations, especially public-transit organizations, are stretched pretty hard when they're trying to deal with large crowds," he said. "We're trying to attract more people to our systems, but manage and maintain them with limited budgets."

Mr. McNeil, who noted that SkyTrain is largely reliable, said the proposed 20-minute limit on getting to stalled trains might deter people from self-evacuation because they would know help is coming. He said the issue of self-evacuation is distinct to Vancouver because SkyTrains are automated, so there are no drivers to provide immediate guidance to passengers in emergencies.

In Victoria, B.C. Transportation Minister Todd Stone would not say if the cost of fixing the existing system will make it harder to win a referendum on new transit funds. He said he is working with mayors to craft a clear ballot question. "This is the precipice where many a transportation minister before me has fallen. We are working very hard to get this done."

He also said TransLink has to wear responsibility for last summer's chaos, insisting the provincial government has funded public transit sufficiently. "We're proud of our record of investment in transit across the province," he said.

"This is an issue of operational accountability. I don't think it's a question of there not being enough money in the system. It's a question of ensuring the dollars that are there, are spent wisely."