The evolution of a transportation authority

1999

TransLink is created by the NDP government, which allows the transportation authority to generate funds through a three- percent property tax as well as a share of the fuel tax, parking sales tax and transit fares. The province also redirects local hospital taxes to fund transit and approves a $ 75 vehicle levy. A $ 190- million shortfall is predicted within 10 years, but politicians insist they won’t raise property taxes to pay for transit.

2000

TransLink unveils its fi rst six- year transit plan, to be funded by fare hikes and a $ 75 vehicle levy. NDP transportation minister Mike Farnworth reneges on the levy because it’s unpopular with voters, while the province also rejects TransLink’s request to increase the gas tax.

Sept. 2001

B. C. Liberal government allows TransLink to raise the gas tax by two cents to 12 cents a litre to help the cash- strapped authority operate the new Millennium SkyTrain line and

avoid a $ 50- million shortfall.

Nov. 2001

TransLink approves $ 80 million in higher fares and, for the fi rst time, a property tax hike to fund transit.

2003

TransLink proposes more fare hikes ( six per cent), tax increase on paid parking ( 21 per cent), another property tax increase ($ 61 per average home) and a tripling of the sales tax on paid parking. It backs off the parking tax after downtown businesses complain, and proposes a new tax on free mall and offi ce parking stalls.

2004

Province refuses to approve TransLink’s new $ 20- million parking stall tax after mayors twice vote down the Canada Line. After mayors vote a third time to pass Canada Line, the province approves the tax.

2005

TransLink raises parking tax and property tax again as it wrestles with paying billions for four big projects: the Canada Line, proposed Coquitlam light rapid transit, Golden Ears Bridge and new trolley buses.

2006

A group called “Park The Tax” tries to convince TransLink to abandon its $ 20- million parking stall tax. TransLink weighs cutting service or cutting the tax, and chooses to keep the tax.

1999 How to pay for Greater Vancouver transit projects has been a question TransLink, Metro mayors and the provincial government have wrestled with for almost 16 years. Here are some notable moments: