Published Articles

Regional Transit (Times Colonist Op-ed)

BC Regional Transit is facing a deficit this year of close to $6 million with further projected cost increases next year. In order to address the funding crunch, they have gone to the Transit Commission for a rate increase of $28.00 on the property tax levy for residential taxpayers, which represents a 30% increase over last year’s rate.

Their three year budget shows further rate increases for a total cost to residents of an addition $69, on average. The average transit levy will now come to $120.50 for 2011/12 and $161.50 in 2013/14.

For businesses the cost increase is considerably greater. The transit fee is levied at a five-times multiple on business taxpayers in the region, meaning that businesses are facing a $356 dollar increase this year and $925 over three years time. And that’s the average increase, not the total bill.  For business, the average transit levy will now come to $1,663.42 in 2011/12 and $2,232.38 in 2013/14.

These figures are for the average residential and business property assessments. If your property is valued above the average, your fee increase will be greater.

We all support public transit. Most of the community is looking forward to increased public transit service, either through the rapid transit plans currently in process or through the introduction of HOV lanes. It is arguable that people may not oppose increases with improved service.
But this is not the case. The increases scheduled for this year are coupled with a decrease in service. The whole scenario does not engender confidence on the part of the tax payer and is not financially sustainable.

Transportation infrastructure of all sorts are very costly assets for a community. Our region needs a number of infrastructure improvements each with a considerable investment requirement – improved public transit, a new Johnson Street Bridge, a runway extension, and a number of roadway projects that would benefit the ease of movement of people and goods. These are all good projects.

We absolutely need to have a regional decision-making body with the authority to plan and fund these and other transportation projects with a regional perspective and a focus on the overall cost to taxpayers. Tax payers are looking for accountability with their tax dollars from all levels of government and public services – and in transportation planning, that can come through regional oversight and planning by one organization.

Perhaps the one bright spot in all of this is that the announcement of fee increases has served as the impetus for Mayors Frank Leonard and Dean Fortin to put a motion to the CRD to take over transportation planning for the region. The CRD has agreed to look at that proposal. Our appreciation goes out to Mayors Leonard and Fortin for bringing this important issue to the voting table at the CRD. We hope to see the plan move forward and result in better regional planning in the years ahead – in both growth and sustainable financing plans.

Articles - 2012

Articles - 2011