Crowded commute? TransLink wants to hear from you

TransLink has a 10-year improvement plan to reduce overcrowding on the transit system and officials are looking for public input before the mayors' council votes on it next month.

TransLink CEO Kevin Desmond said the hope is to increase bus service in the region by 10 per cent, add up to five new B-Line bus routes, add 160 new SkyTrain cars, and reduce SeaBus wait times.

"We have overcrowded service on bus and SkyTrain throughout the system, and that's due to years of lack of investment ... getting relief as quickly as we can is very important to this plan," he said.

He said the plan will improve service to underserved suburbs on the outskirts of Metro Vancouver like Langley and Coquitlam.

"That's exactly where the growth is happening ... and the plan on the bus service side is to expand service in those areas over the next two years."

Public consultation

Until Oct. 31 members of the public can participate in an online survey, or attend a public open house between Oct.15 to 24.

• North Vancouver, Saturday Oct. 15, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. PT, North Van City Library
• Maple Ridge, Tuesday, Oct. 18, 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. PT, Act Art Centre
• Vancouver, Wednesday, Oct. 19, 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. PT, Collingwood Neighbourhood House
• Surrey, Thursday, Oct. 20, 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. PT, Chuck Bailey Recreation Centre
• Richmond, Monday, Oct. 24, 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. PT, Kwantlen Polytechnic University

Quick implementation

Desmond said transit users won't have to wait too long for some improvements.

"We would be poised to begin putting additional SkyTrain service out and additional SeaBus service out as soon as January ... and considerable bus service starting in April [after getting council approval]," he said.

"This service will be going out before any of the new fare increases or the property tax increase even hits."

Metro Vancouver mayors are expected to vote on the plan in November.

With files from The Early Edition

To hear the interviews, click on the links labelled TransLink CEO Kevin Desmond on 10-year plan and Maple Ridge Mayor Nicole Read on TransLink