TransLink’s funding problems can be traced back to 1998.
From the beginning of TransLink, way back in 1999, its biggest problem was abundantly clear: money. There wasn’t enough, and the only ways to generate the required funds were deeply unpopular hikes to property taxes, gas taxes and ticket prices.
The Conservative position fits into a narrative the party is crafting about how the BC NDP government has shovelled billions of tax dollars unchecked into areas like health care, transit, public safety and child care — with pitiful results to show most people. What’s needed, the Conservatives argue, is a change in direction, not more money.
Then again, it was Falcon who as transportation minister in 2007 overhauled TransLink and took away much of the decision-making from elected officials and gave it to a board of experts . So don’t underestimate his willingness to retool TransLink again as premier. And raise ticket prices to a level that actually sustains the system? Forget it. Politicians at all levels of local and provincial government would get pilloried by charging more to those who can least afford it.
Mayors counter by pointing out how often Victoria bigfoots them out of the way on transit planning to build whatever pet transit project captures the eye of the premier of the day, and argue the province should therefore be at the table with more money.Even if TransLink receives its $600-million annual bailout from the next government, history tells us the organization and mayors will need more soon.
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