ALDERGROVE STAR STAR Your Hometown Community Newspaper for over 54 Years
| Thursday, April 12, 2012
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PPoustie Couple’s CCup Runs Over! PAGE 4
Page 3: Candles light up for Battle of Vimy Ridge Bradner’s Fields of Gold Beckon
Gas tax take down, riders up at TransLink By JEFF NAGEL Aldergrove Star
HARRY HUNT PHOTO
Madelyn Sloan takes delight in the golden fields of Bradner’s Warmerdam family daffodil farm. The 84th annual Bradner Flower Show comes to the Bradner Community Hall this weekend, April 13 to 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. For information call 604-856-8441.
TransLink’s much-hated gas tax isn’t pulling in as much cash as it used to, as motorists either gas up outside the region or simply drive less. The transportation authority took in $312 million in 2011 from the fuel tax, according to its annual report. That was down nearly $12 million from 2010 as motorists bought 5.9 per cent less gasoline or diesel in the region. “High prices of fuel and a strong Canadian dollar would have contributed to the decline in fuel sales volume, which likely migrated to the Fraser Valley Regional District and Whatcom County,” the report said. It said other factors likely include more fuel-effficient vehicles, increased use of transit or cycling, and less commuting overall. “If the trend continues, the impact of this reduction could be in the magnitude of a $450- to $550-million revenue loss in a 10year period.” The gas tax that goes to TransLink increased this month from 15 to 17 cents a litre and the hike is expected to raise an extra $40 million a year. But concern that the gas tax may be an increasingly unstable source going forward is one reason area mayors have talked about using other revenue sources, like a vehicle levy or road pricing, to fund TransLink’s longer term expansion. TransLink says 8.6 per cent more passengers took transit in Metro Vancouver last year, setting a new ridership record. The annual report also says it spent $56 million less than it budgeted. But officials say the savings have no bearing on TransLink’s need for an extra $30 million per year to cover the transit expansion committed to under the Moving Forward program approved by area mayors last year. Money from the gas tax is dedicated to TransLink’s share of building the Evergreen Line. Overall, TransLink took in nearly $1.2 billion in revenue and spent $34 million more than that. It covered that deficit by drawing down its reserves to $288 million, which was less of a reduction than planned. The reserve fund is expected to run out in 2016 but officials say they continue to search for efficiencies to stretch it further. TransLink took in a record $444 million from transit fares and the higher ridership was partly due to more passengers taking transit for the Stanley Cup playoffs. Property taxes generated $298 million, up nearly three per cent. Tolls on the Golden Ears Bridge generated $33.7 million for TransLink, $4 million or 10.8 per cent less than expected. SEE: Page 3
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