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For bus riders, there will be an eight-per-cent increase in service, two new B-Line rapid buses in Richmond and Surrey, more than 150 new buses and new bus service in Vancouver, Surrey and North Vancouver. A seven-per-cent service increase in trips is planned for HandyDart.

The cost of bus improvements is estimated at $890 million.

SkyTrain will see the addition of 108 new cars to the Expo and Millennium lines, 95 replacement cars, an increase in service during busy times on all SkyTrain lines, upgrades to stations, an increase in vehicle storage and maintenance capacity and power and systems upgrades.

The SkyTrain investment is estimated at $1.3 billion.

The major road network will see $75 million in upgrades. Regional and TransLink-owned cycling and pedestrian infrastructure will be improved to the tune of $50 million.

Planning will also begin for a proposed gondola on Burnaby Mountain, the second phase of the Surrey-Langley rapid transit line, rapid transit to the University of B.C. and regional transportation strategy.

Phase 2 funding contributions are coming from the federal, provincial and regional governments.

The federal government has committed to paying up to 40 per cent of the capital costs for major projects, which translates to $2.01 billion for this phase.

The province has agreed to pay for 40 per cent of all projects, for a total of $2.55 billion.

“This program is very much dependent on that senior government support,” said Desmond, who added that in 2015 it was estimated that senior governments would fund 48 per cent of capital costs, and now those governments will fund 68 per cent.

TransLink plans to pay for its share of capital and operating costs with fare revenues, property sales, internal savings, a two-per-cent fare hike, three-per-cent parking tax increase, a property tax increase of $5.50 for the average household, development cost charges and revenue from transit-related commercial opportunities. These funding methods were announced in March.

The total regional cost is $2.71 billion, which includes $1.86 billion for capital and $855 million for operating costs.

Public consultation on the plan goes until May 11. Feedback can be provided at tenyearvision.translink.ca or at one of eight open houses scheduled around the region found at tenyearvision.translink.ca/get-involved.

The final plan will be presented to a joint meeting of the Mayors’ Council and board of directors in June.

jensaltman@postmedia.com

twitter.com/jensaltman

jensaltman@postmedia.com

Twitter.com/jensaltman

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