TransLink’s 403 bus traveling from No. 3 Road to Bridgeport Station is gearing up for service improvements, coming into place later this month.
On April 23, transit users who ride along the 403 route will see improved service on Sundays and holidays. Bus frequency will be improved to every 15 minutes (from every 20 minutes) between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and every 20 minutes (from every 30 minutes) between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. This improvement is part of TransLink’s 10-year vision.
Last month, TransLink announced some big changes coming to transit in the Lower Mainland including a Surrey-Newton-Guildford light rail, a Millenium Line Broadway extension and an eight per cent increase in bus service to address overcrowding. The vast majority of the money ($1.6 billion) will come from increased fare revenue from higher passenger volumes, according to the Mayor’s Council. TransLink will further leverage this added volume by adding a two per cent fare hike over two years beginning in 2020.
The rest of the projected revenue will come from a $5.50 increase in property taxes per average household beginning in 2019. As well, a 21 per cent parking tax charged on all parking spaces will increase to 24 per cent — this represents 15 cents more per hour for an average $5 per hour parking space.
With files from Graeme Wood
