Close X
Saturday, November 30, 2024
ADVT 
National

B.C. government, Translink make agreement to keep transit rolling amid COVID

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 08 May, 2020 08:11 PM
  • B.C. government, Translink make agreement to keep transit rolling amid COVID

Metro Vancouver's transportation authority has reversed its plans to cut service and rescinded layoff notices to 1,500 people as it works out an emergency funding plan with the provincial government.

Translink and the province say in a joint news release that they are working on a comprehensive solution to address the financial impact on the service because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Translink stopped collecting fares in mid-March and said it would be chopping service on May 18 to stem losses of as much as $75 million a month.

Unifor represents 1,200 of the members served with layoff notices and union president Jerry Dias says workers are relieved the government responded with funding that will help avoid transit chaos during the recovery period.

No dollar figure has been released and a Translink spokeswoman says the details of the support are still being worked out.

Translink has said bus ridership dropped by 83 per cent, forcing the planned suspension of numerous routes across the region.

MORE National ARTICLES

Protective Equipment Supply 'Wicked Problem,' Says B.C. Health Officer

VICTORIA - British Columbia has cleared hospital space for almost 4,000 possible COVID-19 patients, but potential shortages of personal protective equipment for health workers has become "our wicked problem," provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said Wednesday.    

Protective Equipment Supply 'Wicked Problem,' Says B.C. Health Officer

Pandemic Response Must Uphold Human Rights, Avoid Discrimination: B.C. Commissioner

VANCOUVER - British Columbia's human rights commissioner is urging policy-makers, employers, landlords and service providers to keep human rights principles at the core of their response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pandemic Response Must Uphold Human Rights, Avoid Discrimination: B.C. Commissioner

B.C. Offers $500 Monthly Rental Rebate, Moratorium On Evictions, Rent Freeze

B.C. Offers $500 Monthly Rental Rebate, Moratorium On Evictions, Rent Freeze
VICTORIA - The British Columbia government will offer financial relief to renters and landlords to ensure people have safe homes during the novel coronavirus pandemic, Premier John Horgan said Wednesday.

B.C. Offers $500 Monthly Rental Rebate, Moratorium On Evictions, Rent Freeze

With A Crash And A Bang, B.C. Residents Applaud Health-Care Workers

At the same time each night, Rev. Gary Paterson and about half a dozen other neighbours have begun gathering at least two metres apart on the rooftop patio of their building in Vancouver's west end.

With A Crash And A Bang, B.C. Residents Applaud Health-Care Workers

BC Takes Unprecedented Steps To Support COVID-19 Response - SEE All The Highlights

The B.C. government stepped up its efforts under the Emergency Program Act on Thursday to ensure, among other things, that goods and services are getting to those who need them. Here's a look at what is happening:    

BC Takes Unprecedented Steps To Support COVID-19 Response - SEE All The Highlights

Air Canada Begins Operating Cargo-Only Flights Carrying Vital Supplies, Necessary Goods

Air Canada Begins Operating Cargo-Only Flights Carrying Vital Supplies, Necessary Goods
"Air Canada Cargo has long served as a vital link in global supply chains and with the disruption arising from the COVID-19 pandemic our capabilities are more important than ever.    

Air Canada Begins Operating Cargo-Only Flights Carrying Vital Supplies, Necessary Goods