It seems I’ve worked my way up the TransLink bureaucracy to the very top – the highest paid municipal staffer in the province of British Columbia is now writing letters to the editor trying to defend his empire.

Ian Jarvis, TransLink CEO, just had to reply to my piece last month on the rat’s nest of redundancy that is the transit authority. Let’s see what he has to say.

Jarvis claims: Like every organization that relies on subsidies for its services, we are mandated to audit and examine our business to ensure efficient and effective service delivery... Unlike Jordan Bateman’s Canadian Taxpayers Federation, our revenues and spending are detailed and published quarterly and in our annual financial reports for everyone to access and analyze.

We say: Awwww. Poor Ian. Can’t tell the difference between an organization that brings in $3.6 million a year in completely freewill, non-tax receipted donations and one that uses the threat of jail, fines and property seizure to fund its $1.3 billion empire. Re-read your first line, Ian, because you were right: you take in tax money, you get more scrutiny. We don’t.

Jarvis claims: Several reviews and audits over the last two years have found TransLink to be a well-run organization and challenged us to be better; we have answered those challenges and continue to identify efficiencies.

We say: Actually, every single one of those high-level audits have found more waste and inefficiency to be addressed.

Jarvis claims: Since 2009, TransLink reduced executive level positions across the enterprise, which includes Coast Mountain Bus Company (CMBC) and BC Rapid Transit Company, from 36 to 16. Our procurement process has allowed us to save $5 million a year to date and $8 million in prior years. We have implemented cost savings efficiencies and revenue initiatives totalling $35 million in 2013 and CMBC implemented a further $8 million in cost containment initiatives.

We say: Congrats. Of course, none of that would have happened without public scrutiny and the audits you say prove you are so efficient. If the region had simply meekly handed over all the money you wanted, there would have been precisely zero belt-tightening. But your job is far from done. Six boards? 400+ employees making six figures (and growing)? Your own bonuses and salary? Transit cops who are glorified fare checkers? Every program that doesn't move a single person a single inch?

Jarvis claims: Over the next 30 years there will be one million more people living in Metro Vancouver and over 500,000 more jobs.

We say: Yes, and if these people and jobs materialize, they will all be paying taxes (parking, property, fuel, hydro levies, tolls and fares) to TransLink.