The union representing most Metro Vancouver bus drivers and maintenance staff is calling on all levels of government to maintain existing transit service through the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement, Unifor Locals 111 and 2200 acknowledged that they've been "formally approached" by a TransLink subsidiary, Coast Mountain Bus Company, regarding cutbacks.

"We have been advised that layoffs could be anywhere from 30% to 70% of the workforce and this could affect more than a thousand members," the Unifor locals stated.

Last week, TransLink CEO Kevin Desmond revealed that the regional transportation authority is losing $75 million per month, due to lower fuel taxes and fare revenue.

Coast Mountain Bus Company eliminated fare collection last month to facilitate greater physical distancing between passengers and drivers.

Unifor argues that by maintaining transit service, it would give the Metro Vancouver economy a much-needed boost.

"As you know, tens of thousands of essential services workers rely on transit to get to work," the union locals added. "Cutting transit service would make life even more difficult for working COVID-19 heroes, and ultimately the people they have been dutifully serving."

In early December, members of the two locals ratified a three-year contract with Coast Mountain Bus Company.