VANCOUVER, B.C.: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) was shocked to learn that the six-figure club at TransLink and its subsidiaries grew by 21 per cent last year. New financial disclosure records reveal 524 TransLink employees made more than $100,000. That’s up 90 people from 434 in 2013, and one-third from 393 in 2012.

“Once again, TransLink’s top echelon get richer while demanding more money from taxpayers to fund their system,” said Jordan Bateman, B.C. Director for the CTF and leader of the successful No TransLink Tax campaign. “TransLink constantly cries poor but never seems to lack for money when it comes to lining the pockets of its executives and managers.”

The six-figure club is likely even larger, as TransLink does not have to report salaries for partnerships like the Canada Line or Golden Ears Bridge.

The report also shows that 57 Transit Police officers made more than $100,000 last year. The CTF has repeatedly called for the Transit Police force to be scrapped and replaced with cheaper security options.

“When will TransLink, its board, the mayors and the minister take taxpayers’ concerns seriously? They are all too worried about figuring out how to get the next dollar out of our pockets, instead of working on ways to stretch what they already take,” said Bateman. “TransLink is a top-heavy and bureaucratic organization, but our politicians have been given a mandate to change it. Let’s get on with it.”

Earlier this year, 62 per cent of Lower Mainland voters defeated a proposed TransLink sales tax, which would have helped fund a $7.7 billion TransLink expansion plan. The plan, put together by the TransLink mayors’ council, did not include a single dollar of cost reductions or efficiencies. Further, the TransLink mayors spent nearly $7 million in taxpayer money to try and buy a YES vote.

During the plebiscite campaign, the CTF offered several suggestions for improving TransLink efficiency, and even offered an alternative funding plan.