WHEREAS TransLink is proposing a package of fare increases that would increase a single zone cash fare by 11 and a single zone monthly pass by 5.8; AND WHEREAS fare increases will most impact those with lower incomes such as youth, seniors, women and recent immigrants, for whom transit fares are a larger percentage of their cost of living; AND WHEREAS transit fare increases have been shown to decrease ridership among the broader public, a situation that can become irreversible once people become accustomed to driving, and which leads to increased traffic congestion, air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions; AND WHEREAS Canadian transit riders pay a higher percentage 60 of transit operating costs than do riders in almost all other western countries: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of BC Municipalities advise TransLink that it is opposed to the proposed transit fare increase; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Union of BC Municipalities urge the provincial and federal governments to adopt provincial and national transit strategies with long-term funding to maintain and expand public transit and incentives to affect transportation demand, modal choice and greenhouse gas emissions.
