Friday, August 30, 2013 NewsLeader A13
Transit stations would double ⫸
continued from PAGE A12
He said the advocates’ claim a 0.5 per cent regional tax works out to just 35 cents per day per resident still adds up to an extra $42 per month for a family of four. “It’s not a trivial or insignificant amount,” Walton said. “We’re not advocating that outright at all. We’re advocating an approach that is going to look at a number of different funding sources.” Walton said a solution must fund not just transit expansion but other transportation projects, like the replacement of aging bridges and tunnels. The report by Pachal and Hillsdon, dubbed Leap Ahead, is the first major volley of return fire from transit supporters who are dismayed public debate has centred
on complaints of waste at TransLink and opposition to any tax hikes. The document, at leapaheadyvr.com, claims the the number of rapid transit stations in the region would be doubled from 65 to 138 and all the new lines could be operational by 2020, providing a viable transit alternative for motorists who may by then face tolls on a replaced Pattullo Bridge or Massey Tunnel. It predicts major economic, social and environmental benefits would spring from the transit investment. It remains unclear what question will be put to voters in a promised referendum, but Walton said he meets Transportation Minister Todd Stone again Sept. 3 to discuss that issue as well as governance
Record camper reservations at BC Parks
An exceptionally sunny, dry summer helped push BC Parks to an all-time record number of reservations at provincial campgrounds. More than 115,000 camping reservations were made through the province’s Discover Camping service, up 12 per cent from last
reforms for TransLink. Mayors in the spring opposed going to referendum. “We’re going forward with an open mind, in a spirit of cooperation,” he said. But Walton said the “huge questions” outstanding are who will pay for the referendum and who will champion the ‘Yes’ side. He said the HST referendum had millions in government money and the finance minister behind the pro side but still failed. “We’re being asked to do something that isn’t in the legislation, without resources and with no time.” TransLink must also decide by year end what projects would get built if a referendum on new funding sources passes.
year. Campers were allowed to make reservations at more campsites and campgrounds, including Kleanza Creek, Martha Creek, Chilliwack Lake, Mable Lake and Bowron Lake, increasing the number of reservable sites to more than 5,000 at 95 parks.
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