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| Subject: TransLink needs billions for upgradesA sweeping 10-year transportation plan representing $4-billion worth of projects will require taxpayers to dig deep, beginning in 2005. | |
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Author: Funding CanadaFriday, Sep 26, 2003 |
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Date Posted: Sunday, September 28, 11:58:36pm Friday, Sep 26, 2003 Email this to a friend print this page TransLink needs billions for upgrades A sweeping 10-year transportation plan representing $4-billion worth of projects will require taxpayers to dig deep, beginning in 2005. The plan, developed by TransLink, Greater Vancouver's transportation authority, details a number of major works, including the completion of rapid transit lines, the addition of another SeaBus by 2009, the expansion of bus fleets and service, and completion of capital projects such as the Fraser River Crossing and Fraser Highway widening. Road congestion is a growing concern, as the number of private vehicles in Greater Vancouver will hit 1.4 million by 2013, up from 1.2 million today. Over the last decade, average commute times have increased from 19.5 minutes to 26.5 minutes. Additional investments of up to $5 billion could be required over the next two decades to ease congestion in the region. "We have to get rid of some of the gridlock . there are a number of choke points we've identified," said TransLink chair and Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum on Friday. He identified the Port Mann Bridge and Fraser Highway as two major congestion points. The Fraser River Crossing is required to address the former, and the expansion of the Fraser Highway to four lanes will address the latter, he said. Rapid transit and better bus service will also aid in reducing congestion, said McCallum. Three rapid transit lines were expected to be built by 2003: Central Broadway to Lougheed Mall, New Westminster to Coquitlam Centre, and Richmond to Vancouver. To date, only the Millennium Line (Broadway to Lougheed) has been completed. "Rapid transit development is behind schedule," according to the plan, which calls for completion of rapid transit projects within the decade. TransLink's previous estimates anticipated an increase in the number of buses from 950 in 1993 to approximately 1,800 in 2006 to meet demand. Today, Greater Vancouver's bus fleet size is 1,200 and the plan states "neither the bus fleet nor bus service has been on-track to meet that target." To that end, the plan calls for 130 new buses, a new electronic trolley fleet, and the replacement of almost 400 older buses. Increasing bus ridership is vital to alleviate congestion and clean the air, said McCallum. Passenger vehicles are larger today than ever before and burn more fuel, increasing the amount of carbon dioxide being expelled into the Greater Vancouver airshed, the plan notes. Changes are needed to bring the region into compliance with Kyoto Accord targets. A recent air quality report revealed greenhouse gas emissions could increase to 41 per cent above 1990 levels by 2010, and 60 per cent above 1990 levels by 2025 unless more is done to control emissions from sources like passenger vehicles. It is estimated emission from transportation sources will have to be 35 per cent lower than current trends over the next seven years to meet Kyoto requirements. He said rapid transit will be one option, along with the addition of bus lanes on some major routes, including the King George Hwy., where express buses could link commuters to the SkyTrain within the decade. Overall, the plan is ambitious and underfunded. Without tax or rate increases, TransLink falls $370 million short of the plan's budget. McCallum said Friday three funding options are available: namely increasing transit fares, property taxes and parking fees beginning in January, 2005. Transit fares would go up by about six per cent. A proposed $56 million in property tax revenues would require a 2.5 per cent rate hike, or about $61 per home based on a residential value of $309,000. TransLink could also increase the tax it collects on parking fees by a further 14 to 21 per cent (seven per cent is collected currently). McCallum said reports that more charges would be levied on owners of free lots, namely shopping malls, are untrue. After the increases, rates in all three areas would be frozen for three years, said McCallum. Funding may also come from a new source . federal infrastructure funding. Local governments across the province are pressuring the federal government to transfer a portion of existing gas taxes and/or a greater percentage of the GST tax to municipalities for infrastructure projects. Liberal leadership candidate Paul Martin has promised he will set aside a portion of the gas tax if elected Prime Minister. A five cents per litre gas tax would net TransLink about $100 million per year in new infrastructure funding, said McCallum. Tolls will also fund some projects. TransLink has said the $600-million Fraser River Crossing project will be entirely funded by tolls. Copyright 2003 newwest [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] |