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Archive for the ‘government’ Category

Mayors won’t increase taxes to bail out TransLink

Posted in government, translink, tagged , on July 1, 2008| 1 Comment »

Area mayors say they simply can’t impose higher taxes – including a higher gas tax or a vehicle levy – to bail out TransLink.

And they plan to take that message to transportation minister Kevin Falcon.

“There’s no appetite to go back to the residents and raise taxes,” said Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts.

She chairs the Mayors’ Council on Regional Transportation and said the group has asked her to press Falcon over TransLink’s need for more funding from senior governments.

[Jeff Nagel for the Surrey Leader]
 

Continue reading this article here.

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Transit in Mayoral Debate – Ladner vs Sullivan

Posted in government, skytrain, translink on June 5, 2008| Leave a Comment »

Transit was a hot topic in first public debate between Peter Ladner and Mayor Sam Sullivan in the NPA’s nomination race for the mayoral spot. Ladner criticized Sullivan’s role in TransLink, arguing that he was “virtually invisible and unheard at the TransLink board” and that Vancouver needs new buses. 

Sullivan defended his record by stating that one of his top priorities was the proposed new rapid transit line to UBC, the completion of which would take 10,000 cars a day off the road.

It’s telling that Sullivan’s defense on his TransLink record rests solely on the proposed 12km SkyTrain to UBC line. With an estimated completion date of 2020 and a $2.8 billion price (according to the Provincial Transit Plan), that’s a long time to wait for transit relief. Who knows what obstacles and delays the line will face over the next 12 years. 

The debate was hosted by Rick Cluff on CBC Radio’s Early Edition. Watch a video of the debate on the CBC site here.

Resources:

  • Ladner goes on attack in debate : Mayor Sullivan says NPA stands behind him. Frances Bula. Vancouver Sun, June 5, 2008. Retrieved June 5, 2008. 
  • NPA hopefuls fight for Vancouver mayoral nomination: Sam Sullivan, Peter Ladner square off before Saturday’s vote. Rick Cluff, Early Edition, CBC Radio. Retrieved June 5, 2008. 
  • The Provincial Transit Plan. BC Ministry of Transportation. Retrieved June 5, 2008.

     

     

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