It’s been almost a week since TransLink requested new revenue generating tools to pay for transit expansions. In that time, we’ve heard all the cons from business groups, conservative lobbyists, and irate citizens. Not once did we hear any substantial defense or explanation of the benefits come from Vancouver’s active and vibrant urbanist community. Folks, this is our window of opportunity to fix TransLink once and for all. It is not a governance issue, or an administrative issue, but just what it has been since the NDP pulled the rug from the original vehicle levy - a funding issue. We can make the most wonderful transit plans in the world, but unless we have a feasible, and politically acceptable, way to pay for it all, then we’ll continue to be stuck in the mud. These are the facts. Congestion costs our regional economy upwards of $1 billion a year. Improving and expanding our transit system is the second-highest priority to local residents. Over 30% of citizens in poorly served areas like Surrey and Langley say they’d take transit if there was better service available. Conclusion: we want, and need, a better transportation network. So why the backlash? One reason: perception.

[caption id="attachment_2120" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Lions Gate Bridge toll booths – Flickr photo by blizzy63."][/caption] Dianne Watts said it best when she asked whether we want to become like Los Angeles. With an estimated million more people moving into the region in the next thirty years, our already congested transport network risks grinding to a standstill if we fail to make new investments into our system. The notion of less traffic, less emissions, and better transit is something we can all get behind - the problem still remains though, how do we pay for it all? While TransLink floats increased gas and property taxes, there’s a big pot of money the region continues to neglect: bridge tolls. The proposed 2 cent gas tax increase will raise $40 million, just over half the tab required to finance loans for the Evergreen Line. In comparison, based on preliminary calculations using public traffic statistics, if all the major crossings in the region included a $1 toll each way, we could raise an estimated $200 million annually.