Transit Meltdown: Langley’s Bus System Faces Existential Funding Cuts

Impending Disaster

Langley residents could face a severe reduction in public transit services if a new funding model is not established, according to Denis Agar, Executive Director of Movement YVR.

In a recent interview, Agar outlined the potential devastating impacts on the community and called for urgent action to prevent what he describes as a "transit disaster" for Langley and the broader Metro Vancouver region.

TransLink, the regional transportation authority, is grappling with a significant budget shortfall that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the provincial government provided temporary bailouts, these have now ceased, leaving a substantial funding gap.

Without a permanent solution, TransLink warns that up to 50% of bus services and 30% of rail services could be cut across Metro Vancouver.

For Langley specifically, the impact could be catastrophic. "Almost all routes in Langley are at risk," Agar explained. "In the worst-case scenario, only four routes might remain - the 320, 342, 364, and 555. Even these would see significant reductions in frequency and operating hours, potentially ending as early as 8 PM."

The timing of these potential cuts couldn't be worse for Langley, which is experiencing rapid growth. New neighborhoods like Latimer and Willoughby were designed with public transit in mind to manage traffic congestion. Without adequate transit, Agar warns, "We're looking at permanent gridlock. Langley's growth would essentially have to stop."

The economic consequences for Langley residents could be severe. Many who rely on public transit to get to work might face impossible choices. "Langley residents and businesses that are reliant on transit will have to buy a car or move to Surrey. Full stop," Agar stated bluntly.

These cuts are not inevitable, however. They represent a "hypothetical scenario" meant to illustrate the consequences if neither municipal nor provincial governments step up to fund transit adequately.

Agar believes the greatest risk lies in a potential "game of chicken" between these levels of government, where each waits for the other to act first.

The impacts of such cuts would extend far beyond inconvenience for current transit users. TransLink estimates that road congestion could increase by up to 20%, adding over 200 million hours of car and truck congestion annually.

This would not only frustrate drivers but also significantly increase greenhouse gas emissions, with an estimated additional 300 million vehicle kilometers traveled each year.

Moreover, the economic toll on the region could be staggering. Mayors in Metro Vancouver have warned that transit cuts could cost households up to $1,000 per year, while the overall economic impact is estimated at $1 billion annually.

Agar and Movement YVR are calling for Langley residents to take action. "People can go to www.savethebus.ca and follow the instructions there to call or email a city councillor," he advised.

"The most effective things you can do are things that a bot cannot do. Ask Mayor Woodward or your MLA to meet up. Tell them an emotional, personal story about how these cuts could affect you."

The goal, according to Agar, isn't just to maintain current service levels but to improve them. Since 2020, the population of Metro Vancouver has grown by 13% - even faster in Langley - while transit service has remained stagnant.

"We would feel successful if we convinced mayors and the province to bring transit service back up to 2020 levels on a per-capita basis," Agar said. "That means less overcrowding, less waiting for the bus, more express routes, better service at night, et cetera."

For a growing community like Langley, the stakes couldn't be higher. As the region awaits the arrival of SkyTrain service in the coming years, maintaining and expanding bus service is crucial for managing growth, reducing traffic congestion, and ensuring all residents have access to jobs, education, and services.

The coming days will be critical as local and provincial leaders grapple with this funding challenge. For Langley residents, the message from transit advocates is clear: speak up now, or risk losing the bus services that many in the community rely on every day.