ANALYSIS | Free Transit In BC: Is It Feasible?
Photo Credit: Translink
BC Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau announced an election policy that promises free public transit across the province. The party’s proposal also calls for hourly services on key regional routes, a doubling of bus fleets within four years and a tripling within eight years. Furstenau said in a statement that free transit was a "win-win," saving families money while easing traffic congestion.
However, transit authorities are concerned about the policy's impacts on their revenue, and the resulting impacts on service levels. A TransLink spokesperson told CTV News that "free transit for even one weekday would result in approximately $1 million of lost fare revenues, which is used to directly fund transit services in Metro Vancouver."
In 2023, fares were TransLink’s largest source of operating revenue, with fares expected to bring in $685 million in 2025. In 2023, fares made up 29 per cent of Translink’s operating revenue, followed by property tax (22 per cent), gas tax (18 per cent), and the remaining 26 per cent from other sources, such as funding from senior levels of government.
According to a TransLink media release, the company is staring down a yearly funding gap of approximately $600 million — a shortfall that, if unaddressed, could result in service cuts.
BC Transportation Minister Rob Fleming, says making transit affordable and expanding services is a priority for his government. In an email to CBC News, he reminded voters that the NDP removed fares for children under the age of 12 and expanded SkyTrain service and Rapid Bus routes.
"We need to keep taking action to strengthen both our transit system and our highway infrastructure, to help people with cost, tackle climate change, and so that people can keep getting to where they need to go," Fleming said.
The BC Conservatives’ transit policy commits to fully funding TransLink for two years, while auditing and reforming its financial model for long-term stability. “TransLink is struggling under an outdated financial model,” said party leader John Rustad in an update posted on the BC Conservative’s website.
Similarly, the BC NDP announced a transit policy for seniors, committing to delivering free transit to seniors during off-peak hours if re-elected. “It means independence and choice – with no cost,” said Jinny Sims, the NDP candidate for Surrey-Panorama, in an update posted on the BC NDP website.
While the Greens’ policy would make transit more accessible, it may not boost ridership, Nate Wallace, clean transportation manager with Environmental Defence, told CBC News. "There aren't really any examples worldwide of a transit agency the size of Vancouver implementing [this policy]," Wallace said. "It would cost a whole lot of money that probably would be better spent on service improvements if the goal is to grow ridership." Service improvements could include investments in aging infrastructure, and improvements to cycling routes.