TransLink executives enjoy pay increases as service levels are being cut

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      The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is drawing attention to more pay hikes for TransLink executives and police in 2012.

      In a news release on its website, the CTF points out that there was a 14.6 percent increase in the number of TransLink staff collecting more than $100,000 per year.

      CEO Ian Jarvis's pay pack rose to $394,730 from $382,954 the previous year. The CTF states that after including pension benefits, the total compensation reached $438,700.

      Chief operating officer Doug Kelsy had a more modest raise: $329,936 to $336,729.

      The chief financial officer, Cathy McLay, made $294,877, up from $285,481.

      And executive vice president Bob Paddon, who oversees communications, enjoyed a $29,190 raise, going from $244,699 to $273,889.

      More than a third of the TransLink police members collected more than $100,000 in 2012.

      “Transit Police continue to be grossly overpaid fare checkers,” CTF B.C. director Jordan Bateman says in the news release. “Two-thirds of all Transit Police files are for fare evasion, and the average transit cop works less than one serious or property crime files a month.”

      The list of TransLink salaries for 2012 is available here.

      It was posted on the TransLink website after the transportation authority announced that it is introducing several cutbacks, including free travel on Sundays for family members of monthly pass holders.

      Comments

      18 Comments

      Andy

      Aug 16, 2013 at 9:52am

      I don't like guns. It makes me nervous when I see transit cops with holstered weapons. Can we start a petition to replace all transit cop pistols with holstered bananas? That would safe, hilarious and nutritious.

      Admiral Benbow

      Aug 16, 2013 at 10:18am

      We have a newly elected and invigorated team of excellent leaders from the BC Liberal party who have been given a fresh mandate by the very wise electorate of BC to get back on the gravy train. I'm sure that they will make sure that the status quo continues.

      Meathead

      Aug 16, 2013 at 11:20am

      Get rid of the transit cops. They are not needed and certainly not for +$100K/yr is atrocious! We are not going to have a transit system if these yahoos keep running it this way. Time to come back to Earth for a reality check!

      Alan Layton

      Aug 16, 2013 at 11:47am

      I say keep transit police in the most dangerous areas - ie anywhere in Surrey - and get rid of them from other stations.

      Hmm

      Aug 16, 2013 at 12:34pm

      and most translink cops already have a good pension from their career/period from another police department. can you say "double-dipping", "rich get richer". taxpayers just suck it all up without a whimper.

      Derek

      Aug 16, 2013 at 12:37pm

      Friend of mine's sister was attacked at a transit station and they couldn't even catch the guy because the camera wasn't working at that station. They can afford to pay $100K/salaries to many of these Transit Cops, shouldn't they put some money towards making sure the cameras are operational?

      Gump

      Aug 16, 2013 at 12:44pm

      How's this for Zero Accountability by Trans-Stupid...

      * $171+ Million for Fare Gates that r not needed,

      * $15 Million a Year in Out Sourced Service Contracts for Said Fare Gates to save on <4% Fare evasion ensuring that the Fare Gates NEVER Pay for themselves...:)

      * $50 Million+++ for a Private Police Force for Translink when local EXISTING Police can and do handle 911 type Emergencies as do Fire & Ambulance, totally worthless,

      * Building Leases etc for all these "Staff", Tens of Millions a year,

      * Useless Sub-Contracted Green Jackets,

      * who DO NOT Work for Translink but a Private Contractor,

      * with ZERO Power to even Check or Ticket Fare evaders, they DO NOT EVEN PICK UP Garbage just Stand around picking their Nose!

      * Yup you guessed it at Tens of Millions+++ per year for these useless Green Jackets,

      All paid for by us taking it up the rear = Priceless :)

      Won Hung Lo

      Aug 16, 2013 at 8:53pm

      Gotta love how those fare-checkers storm the trains acting all intimidating and boisterous. Their ego is as large as the shitload of cash they're making...really? $100000?

      Damn I'm working at the wrong place.

      Ken Hardie

      Aug 17, 2013 at 11:44am

      Hi Charlie, those compensation totals include overtime (and cops tend to work a lot of OT) plus any amount cashed out from holiday time, which I believe contributed to Bob Paddon's total. TransLink could do itself and the public a favour by including a 'base salary' amount in the FIA report.

      Ken Hardie

      Aug 17, 2013 at 11:48am

      Further to the comment from the Canadian Taxpayers Federation regarding Transit Police: one has to admit that there are few B&E's or auto thefts happening on transit. Why use property crime stats as a metric?

      This is no more valid than using face-to-face interactions with the public per officer to compare the Transit Police to the jurisdictional police. Very different environments.