Dear Editor:
I would like to address your article TransLink spends $1M renting space (Burnaby NOW, April 2).
The building in question is a sound financial decision.
In 2012 thanks to the federal gas tax, the budget to refurbish 114 Mark I SkyTrain vehicles was approved, keeping the system in a state of good repair. The refurbishment will prevent increased life cycle costs, as well as deter degradation in customer service - maintaining service levels and promoting system reliability.
Part of the refurbish project budget includes leasing another maintenance facility as the current facility within B.C. Rapid Transit Company (BCRTC) is at capacity and does not have extra space to undertake this project. After reviewing our options, the Southridge Drive facility was the most financially sound decision, especially due to its close proximity from the maintenance yard at BCRTC. Otherwise, refurbishing the trains at any other location would require cutting the permanently connected two-car trains and finding additional transportation means to move the trains - resulting in substantial increased costs, risks and time.
TransLink began leasing the Southridge Drive facility to prepare for the refurbish work. One year's worth of preparation work was accounted for in the project scope. This included installing trackage into the facility (which is now complete) and construction of a train-painting booth (which is now in its final stage of procurement). The building is now 75% equipped to begin refurbishing the trains, much of this was pending the City of Burnaby's permit approval processes. That being said, the project is still on budget, scope and time.
We are committed to maintaining this network in a state of good repair and to meet the needs of our growing region. The investment to refurbish 114 Mark 1 trains and thus lease the Southridge Drive facility is again, a financially sound decision.
Sun Fang, vice-president of maintenance, BCRTC
