New West mayor says toll-free Port Mann already helping congestion

Tolls on the Port Mann Bridge have only been gone for almost a week and New Westminister’s mayor says congestion on the Pattullo Bridge has already improved.

Jonathan Cote said there are no official numbers yet, but he’s already noticed a shift in traffic.

“I think that definitely reinforces what the city of New Westminster has been saying for a long time: that the previous tolling system was kind of done haphazardly,” he said.

WATCH: Possible taxation models to replace Metro Vancouver bridge tolls

4:49 Possible taxation models to replace Metro Vancouver bridge tolls

Cote said he’ll be anxious to hear from the mobility pricing commission as it undertakes research on a “fairer” approach to pricing transportation.

Meanwhile, TransLink has announced new bus services for Metro Vancouver suburbs.

Changes to fall service include more than 100,000 hours of new bus services, including new routes in Maple Ridge, Morgan Creek, and Clayton Heights.

WATCH: TransLink expands suburban service

1:13 TransLink expands suburban service

By 2019, TransLink will also be introducing four new “B” line routes, including one on Marine Drive in North Vancouver.

The company will also be testing double-decker buses later this year.

1:40 NDP government eliminates tolls on the Port Mann and Golden Ears bridges starting next month

• NDP government eliminates tolls on the Port Mann and Golden Ears bridges starting next month
• Will the removal of tolls impact the Mayor’s 10-Year Plan?
• Will eliminating bridge tolls threaten B.C.’s credit rating?
• Tolls advocated for all Metro Vancouver crossings

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