TransLink has said it has no cash to build the Evergreen rapid transit line or any other new major transit projects. (TransLink)

Metro Vancouver's TransLink is commissioning $10 million in studies for two projects the regional transit authority doesn't have the money to build.

The two studies will examine a new rapid transit line out to UBC and a rapid bus system for Surrey, although neither project is in TransLink's 10-year plan approved by the region's mayors just last week.

The 10-year plan did propose to raise $130 million by hiking fares and taxes on gasoline and parking.

But the money was only intended to maintain Metro Vancouver's public transit system and transportation infrastructure and specifically excluded any money for new projects such as rapid transit lines or new systems.

'Spending money on dreams of fantasy seems to be an absolute waste.'— Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan

Nevertheless, TransLink decided to go ahead and commission the two new studies at a cost of $5 million each, authority spokesperson Ken Hardie confirmed Thursday.

Looking ahead to save time

Hardie defended the move, noting both studies are part of the provincial transit plan, and half the costs for the studies will be paid by the province with the expectation the projects will be developed sooner or later.

"The short answer is we're going to save time and money in the long run by doing this work now," Hardie said. "And secondly, we need these lines. It's not a matter of if they're going to be done, it's when."

But Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan called the studies a waste of money.

"When you are on life support, to be spending money on dreams of fantasy seems to be an absolute waste of very much needed transit [funding]," Corrigan said.

He pointed to the often-promised, much-studied and yet-to-be-built Evergreen line for the tri-cities area northeast of Vancouver as an example of how promises and studies don't get things built.

"There's a certain arrogance in spending money on studies when you don't even have the money to complete the line you've promised to complete," he said.