Ian Jarvis is out as CEO of TransLink as the transit authority makes an effort to “restore public confidence.”
“The Board of Directors is listening to customers and the public regarding the need for change and has taken action,” said TransLink board chair Marcella Szel in a release.
“The person selected as the permanent CEO will be responsible for meeting the challenges of a growing region that expects to see one million new residents in the next 30 years. Either there will be major new investments to implement or there will be the challenge of underfunding. Regardless, TransLink must restore public confidence, and new leadership is the first step.”
TransLink has recently come under fire after two lengthy SkyTrain breakdowns occurred this summer. It has also had problems with the rollout of its Compass card program.
In March, Metro Vancouver voters will begin voting in a plebiscite on whether to raise the existing 7% provincial sales tax by 0.5% to raise funds for transit improvements.
The campaign for the no side, headed by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, has characterized TransLink as a wasteful public agency that paid Jarvis more than other transit authority heads. In 2013, Jarvis made $468,015 in salary and bonuses, according to TransLink.
Doug Allen, a former president and CEO of InTransit BC, will serve as interim CEO until a successor is chosen.
“Mr. Allen’s first job as interim CEO will be to review the core functions of the corporation, and start to build a roadmap for how to fix problems," said Linda Hepner, mayor of Surrey and vice chair of TransLink's Mayor's Council, in a statement.
More to come
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