Major shakeup: Translink dismisses senior executives

Tuesday brought big changes to Translink as both the man in charge of Skytrain as well as one of the company’s vice-president were let go.

Translink confirmed that high ranking executive Doug Kelsey and executive vice president of planning and stakeholder relations Bob Paddon have been dismissed.

Paddon’s position has also been eliminated, according to the transit provider.

“Since 2011, staffing costs across the TransLink enterprise have been significantly reduced through downsizing at the management and executive level and the subsequent elimination of positions,” read a statement from the company.

The two senior executives made almost $700,000. Severance details have not yet been released, but Translink has already paid out $7 million over four years to staff leaving Translink.

Skytrain veteran Mike Richard has been appointed acting president and general manager of BC Rapid Transit Company. TransLink also announced current Interim CEO Doug Allen is leaving the company Aug. 10, and that CFO Cathy McLay will take his place as the search for a new CEO continues.

The shakeup came weeks after Metro Vancouverites voted down a proposed sales tax hike to fund transit. After the vote, the region’s mayors called for immediate governance changes at Translink.

A survey by Insights West found three-quarters of voters who shot down the 0.5 per cent sales tax, which was intended to fund billions in transportation improvements, did so because they didn’t have faith in TransLink to properly implement the upgrades.

“I think it’s good that they are changing, but it might be a little too late,” says Vancouverite Michael Bergeron. “If they go forward with changes at the executive level, then maybe that will bring forth changes that we can see.”

NDP MLA for Vancouver-Fairview George Heyman says that Translink is unsure what to do next because “they don't have the funds to even meet the existing service demands.”

“What we're seeing now is a void of leadership at the top, where we have the interim CEO being replaced by another interim CEO,” says Heyman. “I think the voters of Metro Vancouver delivered the same message…they want accountability and responsibility for their tax dollars at Translink.”

With files from CTV’s Scott Hurst