There is no money to expand Metro Vancouver's transit system in the new Translink budget. (CBC)

Translink's board of directors has approved a 2010 budget that leaves no room to expand Metro Vancouver's regional transit system.

However, while the service will be operating in the red this year, no service cutbacks are planned, and all costs relating to the Olympic Games have been covered, Translink spokeswoman Judy Rudin said.

"Well, we will be using some of the reserves but we have to go on sort of a year-to-year basis, and we will be working very carefully on our overall efficiency as we have the last couple of years," Rudin said. "As always, we have to consider: Is there an opportunity for new funding options, and we'll be exploring those as we go further.

A proposed increase in the cost of FareSaver transit tickets and monthly passes, along with an expected seven per cent rise in ridership, is expected to generate up to an extra $43 million, Translink said.

Olympic transportation will not be affected by its 2010 budget, Rudin said.

"We're going to put out the regular routing that we have of course, and anything extra that comes — the extra buses, the over 100 buses, we've got to do some shuttle work, as well as the Games day buses — are paid for by VANOC [the Vancouver Olympic Games Organizing Committee]."

TransLink is Metro Vancouver’s regional transportation authority.