TransLink lays off workers, reduces service to cut costs

TransLink yesterday announced it will lay off 1,492 employees, further reduce SkyTrain service and cut senior executive and board pay by 10 percent to save money, as ridership and revenue continue to fall during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

With ridership down 83 percent, TransLink is losing $75 million a month, which is an unsustainable rate of financial loss, TransLink officials said in a press release. 

The Vancouver, British Columbia-based agency is spending cash reserves to sustain essential service through the end of 2020, and will defer 2020 service expansions, and operations, maintenance and rehabilitation program funding to municipalities.

The latest measures call for SkyTrain's peak-hour capacity to be reduced by 20 percent on the Expo Line, 15 percent on the Millennium Line and 18 percent on the Canada Line.

The agency is committed to restoring near-regular service by September, TransLink officials said.