VANCOUVER – Translink’s new CEO will have his hands full dealing with the transit problems Christy Clark has been making worse, says New Democrat spokesperson on Translink George Heyman.

“We welcome Mr. Desmond to British Columbia,” said Heyman. “He will certainly have his hands full fixing the mess created by the Christy Clark government.”

“Yesterday’s Speech from the Throne offered no solutions or investment in transit. The Christy Clark government is not working for transit users in the Lower Mainland. Christy Clark forced us into a made-to-fail plebiscite and has offered no positive solutions for better transit service in the Lower Mainland or for a more effective and accountable TransLink board.

“As a result, transit users have been left behind by the Clark government, and are paying the price.”

Heyman added that more is needed from government than just a new face at TransLink.

“They may have found their new CEO, but the same old problems exist and require urgent attention. There are still 2.5 million people in the Lower Mainland waiting for better transit service and more transit options. People demanded a more effective and accountable TransLink in last year’s plebiscite. A clear message was sent; we are waiting for the Christy Clark government to answer.

“We welcome Mr. Desmond to his new job and encourage him to sit down with Christy Clark and demand more for Metro Vancouver residents.”