A weekly roundup of noteworthy news in municipalities across B.C.
New concerns are being raised that the planned handover of the existing blue box collection system to private industry may undermine recycling in Metro Vancouver. The provincial government earlier this year ordered industry stewards to start collecting all packaging materials by 2014 – a move expected to supplant existing blue box pickup and expand the materials collected.
Excitement – and relief – at Translink and Metro Vancouver as former senior Edmonton police officer Neil Dubord accepts the position as the new chief of Transit Police. The force has been without a permanent chief officer for more than a year.
A mixed blessing for Translink: as ridership grows, so to do fare evasion rates. According to TransLink estimates, fare evasion on the bus system has more than doubled in the last three years costing an estimated $5.3 million in 2010.
A busy week for TransLink news as the announcement that it will boost rush-hour bus service on selected routes – such as #320 Surrey Central/Langley and #502 Surrey Central/Aldergrove routes along Fraser Highway – starting Monday hits the news stands.
Great news for farmers and ranchers operating in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) as the B.C. Liberal government has announces that they are developing some improved policies and new funding – including a $1.6-million operational funding infusion for 2012/13 to temporarily boost its annual budget of $1.92 million.
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