VANCOUVER — Metro Vancouver's transit authority has removed its chief executive with just one month to go before residents vote on a tax to fund $7.5 billion in upgrades.
TransLink board chair Marcella Szel says the board replaced chief executive officer Ian Jarvis with Doug Allen on an interim basis after listening to customers and deciding new leadership was the first step in restoring public confidence.
Starting March 16, residents will receive ballots in the mail and will be asked to adopt a new 0.5 per cent tax to fund more buses, an extended subway line, light rail and a bridge replacement.
Allen most recently served as president and CEO of the company that built a local rapid-transit line and TransLink says he will help the board recruit Jarvis's successor.
Jarvis has been CEO since 2009 and will continue to advise the board until his contract ends in June 2016.
Transportation Minister Todd Stone says there were concerns in recent weeks about leadership at TransLink and the board's decision sends a strong message to Metro Vancouver residents.
