WATCH: TransLink ridership is down this year, failing to meet projections. Asa Rehman reports.
It appears Translink is dealing with the same fallout that BC Ferries has for raising fares.
Translink was expecting its ridership to increase this year, but latest numbers show it’s actually on the decline.
Translink doesn’t appear concerned with the recent decline in passengers as they expect to pull in a $2.3 million surplus.
According to Translink’s third quarter report, ridership decreased less than one per cent across the board, but there was a significant drop in bus passengers; 10.1 million fewer than projected.
The decline could be attributed to a fare hike in early 2013.
One and two-zone fares saw a 25 cent increase per trip, and a 50 cent increase for three zones, pushing prices to $5.50 for a three-zone trip.
As the price of gas continues to drop, analysts say more transit users may be tempted to get behind the wheel.
Translink says it will not introduce a fare increase in January, but isn’t ruling it out for the entire year.
– with files from Asa Rehman, Global News
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