This month, we’re bringing you an in-depth conversation with Kevin Quinn, CEO of TransLink, to discuss urgent issues facing Canadian transit systems today. As transit services across Canada reach critical funding and service thresholds, Kevin shares insights on what these challenges mean for commuters, low-income riders, and the future of sustainable transit in Canada. We explore the impact of potential service cuts in Metro Vancouver, the necessity of collaboration among all levels of government, and how a reimagined funding model could prevent drastic cutbacks while advancing Canada’s climate goals. From the pressing need for a national transit strategy to the private sector’s role in sustainable development, this Q&A delves into the strategies and partnerships that could shape the future of transit across Canada.

1. Major service cuts could impact low-income demographics and commuters the hardest. What can be done at the federal and provincial levels to protect these groups and ensure everyone has access to frequent, reliable, and affordable transit?
The future of transit in Canada is at a crossroads. Our population is growing at a record pace, and so too is the need for transit. Despite this, transit systems across the country are struggling to keep up with population growth and continue expanding to give people climate-friendly transportation options in their communities.

In Metro Vancouver, TransLink is facing a financial crisis due to a broken funding model. TransLink is projecting an annual funding gap of approximately $600 million starting in 2026. Without a solution, we will potentially have to cut approximately 50% of transit services to address the funding gap, which would have devastating impacts in Metro Vancouver.

TransLink recently announced $90 million in corporate cost-efficiency and revenue measures to help reduce the funding gap. To prevent potential service cuts, which would impact low-income riders the most, we are asking for all levels of government to come together to help address our outdated funding model and expand transit through the Access for Everyone Plan to meet the growing needs of the region.

2. How can federal and provincial governments work together to create a sustainable, long-term funding model for public transit across Canada? What role might the private sector play in this?
I’ve always said – if you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together. This complicated problem is going to need a collaborative solution with all levels of government at the table.

Like many transit agencies throughout the world, our costs are growing while our revenue is shrinking. This is not a unique problem to Metro Vancouver – so the solution needs to be a collaboration between all levels of government to ensure transit services expand in line with population increases.

Currently, TransLink’s operating funding depends on three main sources: fares, fuel taxes, and property taxes. Fare increases have been capped below inflation for many years, and fuel taxes are a declining revenue source as more people switch to electric vehicles. In 2023 alone, TransLink collected $34 million less fuel tax revenue than in 2022. This leads to a growing funding gap over time that can only be solved through an increase in revenue, or through providing less service.

We see the private sector as an important piece of the funding puzzle. TransLink is currently partnering with the private sector to develop TransLink-owned land in order to generate long-term revenue from real estate. However, real estate development can take years to turn into revenue that can be invested back into transit services, and we need solutions today. We are always open to private partnerships, but really what we need is a new funding model.

3. Transit service cuts could take years to reverse even if funding improves. What national strategies should be in place to manage this risk and speed up recovery?
Transit systems across Canada are facing similar challenges, so we need a national solution to a national problem, with all levels of government at the table.

Something specific we’ve been asking for is an acceleration of the Canada Public Transit Fund. The Government of Canada has promised annual funding that will provide guaranteed funding to transit agencies throughout Canada for capital projects, but those funds don’t flow to agencies until 2026. By accelerating the Canada Public Transit Fund, it could help mitigate funding problems transit agencies are facing nation-wide.

Metro Vancouver and urban areas throughout Canada are growing at unprecedented rates, which leaves us no other option than to expand transit. Transit is critical to everyday life in cities across the country, and we must come together to ensure we are delivering the service our residents need today and in the future.

4. What should Canada’s transit systems prioritize to support the country’s growing population and economy? How can transit funding and services evolve to meet sustainability and climate goals?
Metro Vancouver’s population is growing at unprecedented rates. Just last year in 2023, Metro Vancouver’s population grew by 120,000 people, which was more than double the region’s growth projection for the year. As the population grows, so too does the demand for transit services.

Unfortunately, the funding model we have in place does not allow us to reliably grow transit services to keep up with population growth. If we want to incentivize transit use over personal-vehicle use, we must find a funding solution that allows transit services to grow over time. Transit service in our region is already overcrowded, and without expanded services – there won’t be enough space on board as the population expands.

I remain optimistic that our government partners will help us to establish a solution and I look forward to collaboratively combatting climate change, expanding transit options, and making urban areas across Canada a better place to live.