Peter Fassbender, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development and Minister Responsible for TransLink, issued the following statement on the Mayors’ Council vote to adopt the 2017 Investment Plan: Phase One of the 10-Year Vision:

“I am pleased that the Mayors’ Council and TransLink’s board of directors have voted in favour of their new 10-Year Investment Plan. This will enable the region to make the necessary transit improvements and expansions that will benefit Metro Vancouver residents and visitors alike.

“With approximately a quarter of a billion dollars ($246 million) in funding from the Government of British Columbia already in place – as well as funding from the federal government and public support for the plan – we are all eager to get “shovels in the ground” and help meet the growing transportation needs of the region and create liveable communities that are affordable, interconnected and sustainable.

“These combined investments mean increased and expanded bus, SkyTrain, SeaBus and HandyDart services as well as new buses, SkyTrain and West Coast Express cars, and a new SeaBus. TransLink will also be able to modernize its transportation infrastructure with necessary upgrades to SkyTrain stations, bus exchanges, and cycling and pedestrian networks. And, we will be able to move ahead on important design and early works for rapid transit projects along the Broadway Corridor and south of the Fraser.

“I would like to congratulate the Mayors’ Council and TransLink on its hard work and collaboration in developing a comprehensive Investment Plan that now allows the region to move forward on these important Phase One transit projects.

“Looking ahead, our government remains committed to working with all of our partners on Phase Two and we look forward to further details from the federal government on its long-term funding plan for transit.”