TransLink ridership levels appear to have "hit a plateau" after decreasing by 4.9 million, or 2%, in 2013 compared with the year prior, the transit authority has reported.
In its 2013 annual report, released May 28, TransLink pointed to fare increases and B.C.’s lower employment numbers as possible reasons for the ridership dropping from 238.8 million to 233.9 million.
Despite the drop in ridership, the transit authority still posted a $36.8-million surplus in 2013.
It credits aggressive cost-cutting measures, collecting fines from fare infractions, increased revenues from park-and-ride fees, and “improved cost effectiveness” of its bus and SkyTrain services.
“TransLink has adequate revenues to fund existing programs but will require additional revenues to fund much-needed expanded service,” the report said.
“The strong financial results in 2013 provide more certainty that TransLink will meet its commitments and address the most critical service needs.”
The report noted 19,000 individual customers used the HandyDart service in 2013.
HandyDart provides transportation for people unable to use the conventional system, usually due to some kind of disability. However, the service has been dogged by complaints that thousands of users are passed by annually.
TransLink announced May 23 it was giving $1 million to taxi companies to help with a pilot program aimed at providing HandyDart users with 30,000 more rides each year.
