24 ~ Wednesday, March 24, 1899 — North Shore News Transit Authority hits streets A 1999 budget of $385.5 million and a program plan that reflects a focus on improved transit ser- vices were approved recently by the Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority (GVTA) board of directors. The program plan outlines GVTA activities from April 1 to Dec. 31. 1999, and pro- vides information on the enhancement of existing ser- vices as well as the uevelop- ment and impiementation of innovative programs in the GVIA's four major areas of authority: transit; the major roads network; transportation demand management and Airzare. “Residents of Greater Vancouver have toht us that improving transportation is a pronty and the GVEA board has received that message loud and clear,” said chair George Puil. “This program plan and budger balances the need for exp. inded services with the fis- val realities we face and marks the beginning of a new era in transportation for the Lower Mainland.” Kev objectives of the plan include increased responsive ness to customers, support for regional and municipal trans- portation and land use goals, promotion of integrated pro- granis, and partnering with municipalities to develop and implement programs, Highlights af the program plan include: @ A 4% increase in transit ser- 140,000 service Mice representing additional annisal hours, including enhance- Ments To service on major transit routes such as the GOB- Line, Hastings/SFU and gdon, & Service enhancements with cross-regional links berween Coguitlam- New Westniinster, Langley-Surrey, and Richmond-New Westminster, as well as a new cross-cown fink on the North Shore: @ Aa cspansion of customer information services including, a three-fold iacrease in’ bus stop InfoTubes, and improved monitoring and customer feedback programs; @ Establishment of new tean- sit services and programy such as the pilot Bowen Island transit: program, a West Coast Express TrainBus, and the But to get this Y2Play Season Pass deal, you'll have to jump at the chance now: When the year 2000 hits, it’s 2 good idea to be prepared. Get the Y2Play Pass right now, and you'll be saving big on more than a season of ski and snowboard adventure. Ski or board until May 2nd of this year, and all of next year! Y2Play is the year 2000 Season Pass you buy this season and start using right away, at up to $250 savings over our next year’s regular prices. Just imagine — buy now and don’t pay for another lift ticket ‘into the year 2000. But time is flying, and quantities are limited. So get your Y2Play Pass today. Before they're history. Grouse Mountain ‘The Peak of Vancouver CALL 980-9311 y2play@zrouseratn.com }998/2000 Reeular prices *Prices in effect through April 30th, 1999, or while quantities last. Community Bus 2000; B development of area transit service plans in an regional communities by March 2001 to provide stronger communi - ty and municipal focus tor transit services; @ cspansion of bike-rack equipped buses to all West Vancouver routes and the Hastings and SEU cautes, and 2 plan to equip all GVFA buses with bike racks by 2005, B® capital funding provisions for regional bike facilities, neluding the BC Parkway tinder the existing SkyTrain Line: B cohancement of non-aure- mobile options for residents, and initiacives co influence people's travel in the region through programs such as the Jack Bell Foundation car/van- pools and the development of ao region-wide ride matching pregram, Development, planing and monitoring of the 2E,00 fane/kilometres of roads as defined to the regions major road network; B Planning for turere capital needs the assessracnt of major yn Apri il 1 Structures, and the investiga: tion of trattic management SUSTECIIISS G Capital improvements to plovide priority for transit Vehicles and road salet B Preparation of strategies tor capster of AirCare to the GVTA on Sept. 1, 1999. SPRING ACTING PROGRAMS FOR KIDS & TEENS MARCH 29" - JUNE 72™ Programs in Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey and the North Shore. For Registration call 877-0678 Mar., 25th - Apr -» ist © Bring this ad into any Budget Brake & Mufiler location and receive this unbelievable 1/2 oer oft i 1/2 price sale on front brake pads and rear shoes 1/2 price sale on all in-stock mufflers NORTH VANCOUVER 1350 Marine Dr. | 1345 Cotton Dr. 984-4296 | 980-8517 Not valid with an other offers = You'll always save a bundle! .) SLUE-BAG-IT. 241 Lonsdale St., North Vancouver 980-4413 STORE HOURS: MON. TUES., WED. & SA T 10:00-6:00, THURS. & FRI. 10:00-9:00