at anak Bag HERI T D Poa

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Two factors indicate that major changes in the transit field may be
imminent:

) Following a protracted tabour dispute which was ended by
legislation in September 1984, Mr. Stuart Hodgson has been
appointed Chairman of the MTOC, the Rapid Transit (1986)
Committee (responsible for overseeing ALRT construction) has
been disbanded and there 1s speculation that further
structural changes may follow; and

Decisions are about to be made concerning the financing of
transit after the ALRT system opens in 1986. Such decisions
are imminent because the budget for fiscal year 1985-86
currently being prepared by B.C. Transit will include the
first three months of ALRT operation in 1986. The
dimensions of .the additional financial burden ALRT will
{introduce are documented in a separate report to the GYRO
Executive Committee by the Regional Administrative Advisory

Committee.

THE ISSUES

The three main issues are:

o Structure - whether the present organizational arrangements
are to be supported or whether some further consolidation is
to be undertaken.

Local Government Participation < whether the. present means
of selecting local government representatives to represent
the interests of their communities is to be continued or

replaced.

present formula is to be maintained
as a means of financing the transit system given the heavy
extra expenditure required by the ALRT system at least in

its initial years.

Financing - whether the

Structure

The Board's 1982 repert favoured creation of a regional transit
authority responsible for all aspects of the delivery of transit
services in Greater Vancouver. This was seen as the most effective
achieving greater responsiveness, accessibility,
efficiency and coordination in transit service. T
removai of the GYRD's transit
ha agencies

means of
accountability,

structure put 19 place following the
function, while reducing conflict over roles among t
involved, did little to advance thesa objectives.

a regional transit authority in the current context
would involve the unification of the parts of B.C. Transit and of MTOC
which are concerned with planning and operating transit service in the
Lower Mainland. The new body would function under the policy
direction of the Province and operate in close consultation with

municipalities in the region.

Implementation of