TransLink's new CEO believes Vancouver already provides one of the world's best public transportation systems.
Making his first public speech since being hired by TransLink in July, Tom Prendergast told the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association that the region's transit services are world-class.
"I'd put Vancouver in the top five for sure," the Chicago-native said, "along with cities like Toronto, Chicago and London. Vancouver is up there."
But Prendergast, who has a long history managing transit in Chicago, New York and London, warned that his assessment could change if TransLink can't secure new funding for long-term projects and operating costs.
The authority is currently operating on an annual shortfall of about $150 million.
The company's surplus is being redirected to make up the gap, but that money is expected to run dry in three years.
A lack of new funding could see the region's transportation system revert back to the same level it was during the '70s.
Prendergast said his first task is to look at possible revenue streams to make sure TransLink has "at least" the $150 million it needs to maintain the status quo.
And he already knows where to start: Ottawa.
"Everywhere I have worked, there's a strong federal role that needs to be played," he said.
Matt Kieltyka writes for 24 hours
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lovethatsteveharper
3 years ago
Delusional or an uber-optimist or what?
Translink provides world class transit service? Prfffft.
Get around Vienna for a few days on public transport. Then come to Vancouver.
There is no comparison. Vancouver's transit might look good compared to the less-enlightened American cities, but not when you look at international cities that really have their act together.
Grumpy
3 years ago
You just got to be kidding
How about Paris, Moscow, Portland, Vienna, Karlsruhe (Germany - won best product award), Melbourne, Brussels, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Berlin, Stuttgart, Bonn, Nottingham/Dublin, (both run at an operating profit), Nice, Strasbourg, Dresden (carries container freight by tram) Basel, Budapest and so on!
No one, not one transit expert I have talked to has ever put Vancouver on the cutting edge of transit, rather it goes like thus, "Your problems stem from the SkyTrain proprietary light metro system."
Sorry, but I think TransLink hired a 'lemon'. If Pendergast is so good, why did he leave Chicago, London and New York?
littleleftie
3 years ago
Get Real
Has he ever tried to take a bus on the North Shore after 6pm?Good luck.Oh and by the way,If you're a shift worker trying to get home or just someone trying to get back to the North Shore after a night on the town,good luck with that,too.If you're not on the bus by midnight then it's a $20 cab fare back to "The Shore".Wonder what's going to happen in 2010 when the world comes to Vancouver where the transit system basically stops running at midnight,even earlier on sundays and stat holidays.Cab companies must love it,though.