A4 Friday, December 7, 2012, Tri-City News
Public support is key, says Polak sire for rapid transit to Langley and White Rock. Walton said he bel i eve s S u r r ey a n d Vancouver will work well together to help determine the timing of the two lines and avoid a feud over which one gets priority. Crilly’s term as TransLink commissioner is ending and area mayors appointed Bob Irwin as his replacement effective May 1. Irwin is Crilly’s senior advisor at the commission and is a former CEO of BC Transit.
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“We are not going to put services out that people rely on and make life decisions around on the premise that we may have to pull them back,” Jarvis said. Crilly’s disclosure c a m e We d n e s d a y after mayors also met Transportation Minister Mary Polak behind closed doors, where she spelled out the province’s position on how it might approve new sources of revenue for TransLink. More money for the long term is needed to build new rapid transit lines in Surrey and Vancouver, and to generally expand transit service. Polak said the government insists mayors clearly spell out the money they seek to raise, how they would raise it and what it will pay for, and show they have public backing. “I need to see that there is public support for that change,” she said. “The mayors need to put together what is their consensus on the priorities for the region.” Polak said the mayors’ desire to pursue comprehensive road pricing — where small tolls are charged on roads across the region — would take at least four to five years to implement and would require the highest degree of public buy-in. Even a simpler scenario such as imposing an annual vehicle levy could not go ahead if it’s not affordable or if it has a negative impact on the regional economy, she said. Mayors’ council chair Richard Walton said he didn’t expect a breakthrough in the first discussion with Polak on funding reform but added Victoria’s apparent reluctance to grant new sources suggests “there’s going to be some tension.” The premier previously rebuffed the mayors’ demands for new revenue last spring, saying they would have to wait until an audit was finished. But the audit failed to solve TransLink’s financial bind and mayors say they seem no closer to a solution.
Setting it straight The public input session for Port Moody’s draft official community plan has been tentatively planned for early 2013, although no date has been scheduled. Incorrect information appeared in the Nov. 30 edition of The Tri-City News.
An illustration of the Burquitlam section of the planned Evergreen Line. The line, for which SkyTrain-maker Bombardier will make cars, is scheduled to start running in 2016. “It gets a bit frust rat i n g ,” s a i d N ew Westminster Mayor Wayne Wright, who took over as mayors’ council vice-chair, defeating Langley City Mayor Peter Fassbender. “We’re still moving at a snail’s pace.” Fa s s b e n d e r h a d worked closely with the BC Liberals but Wright said he could offer a more neutral perspective, from a city
in the centre of the region that’s already fully served by SkyTrain and not seeking a new line. Walton, mayor of North Vancouver District, was returned as chair by acclamation. He said TransLink needs more money not to maintain its existing level of service but to keep pace with growth as more people arrive in Metro Vancouver and expect usable transit.
“In this region, you can’t deliver additional public transportation without subsidizing 60 cents on every single ride you create,” Walton said. “Sixty cents has to come from somewhere other than the fare box. That’s the way it is.” Demands on Tr a n s L i n k i n c l u d e Vancouver’s push for a $2.8-billion SkyTrain line along the Broadway corridor and Surrey’s de-
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Kick off Port Moody’s centennial year at Rocky Point Park on January 1! Meet your family and friends on the pier for the official Port Moody Centennial photo to be included in our centennial time capsule. Join in or watch as the brave take to the water for the popular Penguin Plunge. Warm up by the bonfire or in the heated tent with hot chocolate while you browse the historical photographs, artefacts and listen to the musical entertainment. Don’t forget to wear a costume! Prizes awarded for Best Silly Hat, Best Team, and Best Original Costume. Free cupcakes, face painting and magic – it’s all here for the first party of the year. Penguin Plunge registration opens at 11am. Participants receive a commemorative Centennial Penguin Plunge button with registration fee ($5 per person or $10 per family of 4). All proceeds go to Pleasantside Community Association. Date: Tuesday, January 1, 2013, 11am to 2pm Location: Rocky Point Park 604.469.4500 www.portmoody.ca
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