MOVING PEOPLE: BY THE NUMBERS
2006
TransLink revives the idea of tolling major bridges and roads, but Liberal transportation minister Kevin Falcon says that the government only supports tolls on new projects.
2007
TransLink receives another three cents per litre on the gas tax, bringing it to 15 cents, from the province on the condition it raise property taxes for transit. It also raises fares, while Victoria hands over authority to generate revenue from developing and selling property around rapid transit stations, but kills the parking tax and a Hydro tax TransLink had been collecting. Falcon, calling the mayors “dysfunctional,” imposes new unelected board of experts to run TransLink.
2008
Ottawa per manently extends an increase in the gasoline- tax transfer payments to provinces, some of which is then shared by B. C. government with TransLink.
2008
TransLink raises property taxes to cover the parking site tax that the province had cancelled a year earlier.
2009
Mayors agree to a $ 130- million “stabilization plan” — raising the gas tax, property tax and fares — to help TransLink avoid a looming defi - cit. Mayors also fl oat the idea of tolls on all Metro bridges, charging drivers for road use and pulling money from the provincial a $ 122 vehicle levy. The Liberal government rejects all those ideas.
2009
TransLink begins collecting the fi rst tolls on the newly opened $ 800- million Golden Ears Bridge, left.
2010
Premier Christy Clark says she’s open to considering using the carbon tax to support public transit. Within a year, her government backtracks and opposes the idea.
2011
Province approves another two- cent gas tax hike, bringing it to 17 cents per litre, to help TransLink pay its $ 400million share of the Ever green Line. Mayors also propose a vehicle levy or road/ bridge tolling again, with a backup plan that if those fail to gain support they will impose two- year prop erty tax increase of $ 23 per home.
2012
TransLink votes for a 12.5- per- cent fare hike . An independent TransLink commissioner rejects the hike.
2012
Mayors ask the province for road/ bridge tolling, vehicle levy or a regional carbon tax for transit, but all are rejected. In response, mayors nix a backup plan to raise property taxes, and give the Liberals an ultimatum to come up with ways to pay for transit or cut services. Clark orders an audit of TransLink, and says any new funding sources must be supported by the public, be aff ordable for families and not negatively aff ect the economy.
2013
Mayors again propose fi ve funding sources for transit expansion, including the regional carbon tax, road pricing, regional sales tax, vehicle levy and leveraging land values near SkyTrain stations. Province says mayors need a consensus on specifi c transit priorities fi rst and announces a working group with mayors on sustainable funding. Clark makes an election promise to have a referendum for any new TransLink revenue source. She is re- elected in May.