For the second time in two years, transit riders will have to cough up more money to get around the Lower Mainland.

Today, the TransLink board approved an average increase of 2.3 percent, effective July 1, matching the same increase on Canada Day last year.

A previously planned fare hike on Canada Day in 2020 was cancelled as ridership plunged during the pandemic. According to TransLink, it dropped to just 50 percent of the pre-COVID-19 level in January 2022.

As a result of the vote, adult 1/2-zone monthly passes will rise from $162.40 to $166.15. Adult three-zone passes will go up from $212.80 to $217.70. Adult four-zone passes will see a hike from $256.75 to $262.65.

Adult one-zone cash or Compass tickets will rise a nickel to $3.10; adult two-zone cash or Compass tickets will go up a dime to $4.45; and adult three-zone cash or Compass tickets will rise 15 cents to $6.05.

Under the province's B.C. Safe Restart Agreement in September 2020, TransLink received one-time relief funding of $644 million. This was conditional on the transportation authority not exceeding average annual fare hikes of 2.3 percent.