Wednesday, February 11, 2026
ADVT 
National

B.C. government, Translink make agreement to keep transit rolling amid COVID

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 08 May, 2020 08:11 PM
  • B.C. government, Translink make agreement to keep transit rolling amid COVID

Metro Vancouver's transportation authority has reversed its plans to cut service and rescinded layoff notices to 1,500 people as it works out an emergency funding plan with the provincial government.

Translink and the province say in a joint news release that they are working on a comprehensive solution to address the financial impact on the service because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Translink stopped collecting fares in mid-March and said it would be chopping service on May 18 to stem losses of as much as $75 million a month.

Unifor represents 1,200 of the members served with layoff notices and union president Jerry Dias says workers are relieved the government responded with funding that will help avoid transit chaos during the recovery period.

No dollar figure has been released and a Translink spokeswoman says the details of the support are still being worked out.

Translink has said bus ridership dropped by 83 per cent, forcing the planned suspension of numerous routes across the region.

MORE National ARTICLES

The latest numbers of COVID-19 cases in Canada as of March 18, 2020

The latest numbers of COVID-19 cases in Canada as of March 18, 2020
The latest numbers of confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases in Canada as of 2 p.m. on March 18, 2020:    

The latest numbers of COVID-19 cases in Canada as of March 18, 2020

CBC Temporarily Scraps Local TV Newscasts, Except For The North, Due To COVID-19

CBC Temporarily Scraps Local TV Newscasts, Except For The North, Due To COVID-19
TORONTO - The CBC temporarily scrapped most of its local TV newscasts to consolidate resources at CBC News Network amid the COVID-19 crisis on Wednesday — a move the premier of Prince Edward Island said should be reversed to keep remote and vulnerable communities informed during the pandemic.    

CBC Temporarily Scraps Local TV Newscasts, Except For The North, Due To COVID-19

COVID, Law Fears Fuel Spike In Firearms, Ammunition Sales Across Canada

COVID, Law Fears Fuel Spike In Firearms, Ammunition Sales Across Canada
TORONTO - The COVID-19 outbreak coupled with fears about more restrictive gun legislation has fuelled a spike in firearm and ammunition sales, several dealers said this week.    

COVID, Law Fears Fuel Spike In Firearms, Ammunition Sales Across Canada

Ontario Doctor Rigs Up Solution To Double Ventilator Capacity In Rural Hospital

OTTAWA - A doctor in Ontario has improvised a way to double his small hospital's ventilator capacity in preparation for a possible COVID-19 outbreak.    

Ontario Doctor Rigs Up Solution To Double Ventilator Capacity In Rural Hospital

'We Need To Stay Apart:' Saskatchewan Declares Emergency As COVID Cases Double

'We Need To Stay Apart:' Saskatchewan Declares Emergency As COVID Cases Double
REGINA - Saskatchewan declared a provincial state of emergency Wednesday as the number of COVID-19 cases in the province doubled to 16.    

'We Need To Stay Apart:' Saskatchewan Declares Emergency As COVID Cases Double

Stranded Canadians Struggle To Return Home—And Get Refunds For Cancelled Flights

Stranded Canadians Struggle To Return Home—And Get Refunds For Cancelled Flights
Canadians abroad are raising concerns about compensation as they try to find a way back home, with some stranded as borders close and airlines cut flights due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.    

Stranded Canadians Struggle To Return Home—And Get Refunds For Cancelled Flights