New TransLink CEO floats toll plan for transit funding

A business group inB.C.'sfastest growing city says it supports placingtolls on roads and bridges to raise money for new transit infrastructure.

"We must find ways to fund current transit and future transit," saidAnitaHuberman, theCEO of the Surrey Board of Trade.

"We're playing catch up all the time," Hubermansaid. "We need a plan for the future,"

Huberman made the comments a day afterTransLink's new CEO, Kevin Desmond, floated the notion of tolls for transit funding to theSurrey business group.

• Cities need the power to use road tolls and congestion taxes, group says

The funding scheme, which charges drivers to pay to drive on certain roads, bridges and tunnels, is sometimes described asroad pricing or dynamic pricing. Others simply call it a toll.

One variation isto charge drivers to pay more to use roads and bridges during peak hours with the goal of reducing congestion,

The feeshavebeen used in Washington state, Oregon, London and Singapore.

On Tuesday,Desmondtold the Surrey Board of Trade that tolls and road feesare options to consider, arguing that charging drivers for using certain routesduringpeak hours may encourage them to use off-peak times instead.

Last fall, astudyby Canada's Ecofiscal Commission suggested major cities like Vancouver should implement regional street and bridge tolls to reduce gridlock.

Huberman said the road pricing schemes could provide a reliablefunding scheme for transit infrastructure, which is needed inrapidly growing citieslikeSurrey.

"We need a sustainable source (of funds) instead of always going to the province, she said."

In the past, mayors in the Vancouver region and transit advocates have said they want to consider new financing options such as tolls on bridges and roads to help pay for the expensive infrastructure updates.

TransLink plans expansions

Two big-ticket transit items include the planned subway line connecting the University of British Columbia to East Vancouver and SkyTrain expansions in Surrey.

Last month, B.C. TransLinkMinister Peter Fassbender announced nearly $250 million in new funding over the next three years to fund TransLink improvements.

But he also said hehe expects the region's municipal governmentstocontribute to the plan $124 million which he expects them to raise by taking advantage of rising property values around transit stations.

The commitments are meant to match the federal government promise of$370 millionto upgrade transit stations andSkyTraincars, announced in the March federal budget.

Huberman said those commitmentsare appreciated, but won't solve long-termfunding issues.

"There is a fatigue around the ongoing discussion (about funding) but no resolution," she said.

Vancouver supports road pricing

Vancouver's director of transportation, Lon LaClaire, said studies have shown that road pricing and tolls do ease congestion.

LaClairesaid some people have no choice but to drive during peak hours, but the fees are aimed at people who can choose to drive at other times.

He said reports show that fewer drivers usethenewPort Mann Bridge since tolls were imposed.

Meanwhile ,Transportation Minister Todd Stonewould not say if he agreed with tolls to fund transit infrastructure. However, Stone told reporters at a news conference Wednesdaythat he is impressed with the TransLink's new CEO, saying Desmond "seems to be focused on the right things."

"His thoughts on tolling and so forth are very welcome," Stone said.