TransLink suspends previously announced layoffs and service reductions

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A Vancouver Police officer is seen at Oppenheimer Park in Vancouver's downtown eastside Thursday, March 26, 2020. Gangs and organized crime groups in B.C. are changing how they operate and run their illegal business due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, police forces say. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

People in Metro Vancouver can rest assured that they will be able to get back to work as the Province of B.C. and TransLink announced their commitment to ensure transit service is available as British Columbians safely restart the provinceand its economy in the coming weeks and months.

The Province and TransLink are working on a comprehensive solution to address the major financial impacts that TransLink, like many transit agencies across the country, has incurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Given the progress in these discussions, TransLink and its operating companies will suspend the service reductions planned to begin on May 18 and rescind layoff notices issued to approximately 1,500 employees.

The Province and TransLink will also continueto call on the federal government for a national solution to the challenges facing transit systems.With the release of British Columbia's Restart Plan, TransLink will review all transit service levels to ensure it is balancing the need to help people get around the region, with the need to maintain and respect enhanced safety protocols.

Further serviceand safety-related announcements will be made in due course.

Kevin Desmond, CEO, TransLink -"This is another important step forward for re-starting British Columbia and Metro Vancouver's economy.

The transit service provided by TransLink is essential to the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in our region.

We will be ready to provide safe,reliable transit service as people return to work.

We are proud to be partnering with the Province of B.C. to ensure transit service is there as the economy recovers."