Friday November 20th, 2009 - Translink CEO Resigns

Many people believe that Tom Prendergast’s resignation as CEO of TransLink is an indicator that the company’s battle with the provincial government was over and that any chance of an independent, drastically improved transit system was off the table. He left TransLink to pursue a position as president of New York City Transit. Shirley Bond, Transportation Minister, does not believe that his choice to leave the position for NYCT had anything to do with the political situation.

The former chairman of TransLink, George Puil, says that Prendergast’s departure is a horrible sign for the future of Translink and Canada’s transit system. Gordon Price, long time transit advocate, says he sees the move as a statement that the government is not interested in improving transit beyond the present point.

Dianne Watts, Surrey Mayor, does not agree with such harsh interpretations of the resignation, but admits that the loss of Mr. Prendergast is a move in the wrong direction for the country’s transit situation.

TransLink, under Prendergast’s authority, had broad plans to expand the country’s transit system, but had no source of revenue to fund the projects. While at TransLink, he spent most of his time in the Lower Mainland, trying to find governmental support for his ideas to expand the fees TransLink already charged. The government was not interested in helping them raise fees, and so the plan was null and Prendergast found better opportunities elsewhere.