Transit fares hit $5 in Metro Vancouver With the arrival of 2008, people in Metro Vancouver are paying more for public transit. Prices are going up for all Translink services — buses, Seabuses, Skytrains, Handydarts and the West Coast Express — across the Lower Mainland. * Regular one-zone fares and discount fares rise 25¢ to $2.50. * Regular two-zone and three-zone fares rise 50¢ to $3.75 and $5. * Concession fares rise to $1.75, $2.50, and $3.50. * Faresaver books of 10 tickets rise to $19, $28, and $38. * Monthly passes rise to $73, $99, and $136. www.cbc.ca A plan to end Vancouver's theatrical brain drain VANCOUVER -- University of British Columbia theatre-design professor Robert Gardiner is tired of seeing his students leave Vancouver for more lucrative and dynamic pastures such as Toronto and Los Angeles, tired of seeing local theatre companies struggle for rehearsal and production space, and anxious to see Vancouver get on the world theatre map. And so, he has a plan. www.theglobeandmail.com