TransLink to “Move Forward” with improvements
Written by jrood
British Columbia's transit authority, TransLink, has an updated plan to be approved by the Mayors' Council, which would expand Metro Vancouver's transit system and sustain funding for major road network and cycling network improvements. The "Moving Forward" plan received strong public and stakeholder endorsement, but lacked an approved funding formula needed to support it. The Mayors' Council on Regional Transportation and the provincial government have agreed on a way to provide $70 million in additional annual revenue though. If ultimately approved by the Mayors' Council, the plan will provide Metro Vancouver's $400 million share of funding for the Evergreen Line SkyTrain extension from the Lougheed Town Center to Coquitlam Town Center and construction would begin. The Mayors' Council and the province have agreed on a funding formula for the plan that includes a US$.02 per liter increase in motor fuel taxes in April 2012 plus, by 2013, either a property tax increase averaging about US$23.87 per year for the average Metro Vancouver residential property or a new, long-term source of funding. The Evergreen Line, part of the proposed expansion, would include five stations and 28 new SkyTrain vehicles. There would also be improvements to key transit hubs including Main Street, Metrotown, Surrey Central and New Westminster SkyTrain Stations.
