Close X
Thursday, October 31, 2024
ADVT 
National

B.C. government earmarks $300M to help TransLink buy more buses, reduce overcrowding

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 18 Apr, 2024 10:57 AM
  • B.C. government earmarks $300M to help TransLink buy more buses, reduce overcrowding

British Columbia is paying up to $300 million in new capital funding to help TransLink, Metro Vancouver's transit provider, add more buses to its fleet. 

Transportation Minister Rob Fleming says the additional buses will reduce overcrowding and wait times throughout the region.

A statement from the province says the money will go toward purchasing buses to increase future services, while TransLink will put remaining funds from $479 million the province provided last year toward immediate improvements.

It says that work will include boosting the frequency of services, extending hours of operation for more than 60 routes and adding late-evening HandyDART services.

Brad West, chair of the mayors' council on regional transportation, says Metro Vancouver needs a transit system that keeps up with record population growth.

West says the current TransLink investment plan aims to address shorter-term challenges, and officials are looking forward to working with the B.C. and federal governments to develop a funding model to support long-term expansion.

MORE National ARTICLES

177 die in toxic drug deaths

177 die in toxic drug deaths
The BC Coroners Service says 177 people died in February due to "toxic, unregulated drugs." The service says at least 175 people have died because of the toxic drug supply in each of the last 20 consecutive months.

177 die in toxic drug deaths

Added protection for cyclists in BC

Added protection for cyclists in BC
BC's transportation ministry says it is implementing a new law that will give cyclists and pedestrians added protection on roads.  It says the changes, which come into effect on June 3rd, establish a new minimum distance of one metre that drivers must maintain when passing cyclists and other so-called vulnerable road users.

Added protection for cyclists in BC

Canadian missing in aftermath of Taiwan earthquake found safe

Canadian missing in aftermath of Taiwan earthquake found safe
Taiwan's Central News Agency says a Canadian missing after this week's powerful earthquake on the island's east coast has been found safe. The partially government-funded news agency, citing information from the Central Emergency Operation Center, says the Canadian man is now camped near a hotel in Taiwan's Taroko National Park.

Canadian missing in aftermath of Taiwan earthquake found safe

Trudeau announces $600 million in loans, funding to jump-start homebuilding, rentals

Trudeau announces $600 million in loans, funding to jump-start homebuilding, rentals
The federal Liberal government plans a $600-million package of loans and funding to help make it easier and cheaper to build homes for owners and renters. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is making the announcement in Calgary, just the latest in a string of pre-budget announcements aimed at winning over younger voters.

Trudeau announces $600 million in loans, funding to jump-start homebuilding, rentals

$7M settlement with B.C. First Nation: Feds

$7M settlement with B.C. First Nation: Feds
The federal government and a British Columbia First Nation have reached a $7-million settlement over a lumber grievance that dates back to 1942. Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Gary Anandasangaree and Chief Joe Pierre Jr. announced the settlement Thursday, where Canada will pay the cash to compensate the First Nation for its economic losses from the timber surrender.   

$7M settlement with B.C. First Nation: Feds

Freeze Cdn funding for UNRWA: Israel advocates

Freeze Cdn funding for UNRWA: Israel advocates
Israel advocates are asking the Federal Court to reverse Ottawa's decision to continue funding the main United Nations agency supporting Palestinians. The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs is joining Canadians whose relatives were killed in the Hamas attack last October in asking Ottawa to stop funding UNRWA.  

Freeze Cdn funding for UNRWA: Israel advocates