It was supposed to be a day where Metro Vancouver mayors would roll out their newest proposal for upgrading the region’s transportation system.
Instead, it turned into the latest chapter of different governments saying different things about future funding transit projects.
Today Metro Vancouver mayors announced their plans for funding their part of a ten-year transportation plan for the region.
The plan includes a one-time fare increase of two per cent, an average property hike of $3/year to homes, the introduction of mobility pricing, and selling surplus land owned by TransLink.
“We want to see the entire plan funded here. It’s a 10-year plan, it holds together, we need the bus improvements, we need major projects built around the region. At this point, we have commitments from mayors and the federal government, we need the province to commit to a 10-year plan,” said Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson.
Their proposal would see many long wished-for projects built – including the a subway line on Broadway, light rail lines in Surrey and a new Pattullo Bridge. And with the federal government pledging to fund 50 per cent of the project, it means the provincial government would have to pay for one-third.
WATCH: If Metro Vancouver mayors get their way, property taxes will rise to pay for more TransLink projects. Keith Baldrey looks at what they could be.
However, when the provincial government announced today they would be covering one-third of the cost of the mayor’s transportation plan – but only for the first three years, at $246 million overall.
“We all want to see new communities built, and neighbourhoods that are affordable and accessible,” said Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Peter Fassbender in a statement.
“We believe investment in public transit can also result in more affordable housing, and we’re going to work closely with the region to see how we can fulfill the potential there.”
But the mayors and NDP were critical that the provincial government wouldn’t commit to the entire plan.
“To re-announce for phase 1 one-third of the funding, for me, that’s not new funding, that’s not substantial movement, that’s not actually getting us anywhere closer to getting a deal in place that allows us to take advantage of federal funding and get this mayor’s plan on track,” said New Westminster Mayor Jonathan Cote.
It means the mayors are unsure when – or if – they’ll be able to move forward on the newest proposal.
“It was really not clear exactly what the province is putting on the table,” said Robertson.
“We’re waiting for a written proposal from the province and something that matches the federal government’s advance, which is a 50 per cent commitment to the entire ten year plan. Mayors have made that commitment a month ago that we’re willing to fund our fair share of the plan.”
– With files from CKNW