An important discussion is shaping up for Vancouverities on the issue of increasing traffic congestion and how we may pay for our transportation needs moving forward.
The Mobility Pricing Independent Commission is currently examining the following question: what if we could reduce traffic congestion, not necessarily by paying more, but by paying differently?
Currently we pay fuel tax at the pump, and a portion of our property tax and Hydro bills goes towards our transportation needs.
The Commission is examining how other jurisdictions have addressed similar challenges and heard from thousands of people across the region during its first round of engagement in the fall. Now, the Commission is providing a further avenue for input through an on-line survey, the first step in a multi-year process to study how mobility pricing could be implemented.
Mobility pricing is contemplated as part of phase-3 of the Mayors’ Council 10-Year-Vision, but any final decisions will take place at a future point. After the Commission provides its report to the Mayors’ Council in April, additional research will be needed before local and provincial governments can make an informed decision as tohow to proceed with mobility pricing.
Think about it? What if we could encourage just enough people to change the way they travel so that everyone can get to where they need to go a bit faster? That’s how mobility pricing works in other cities such as Singapore, London and Stockholm, so it’s worth studying whether it could work in Metro Vancouver.
Generating revenue can be an important objective, but the primary goal of studying decongestion for the Commission is to find ways of reducing congestion. We know its a big problem but it’s also a complex one that needs to be very well contemplated. Consider that while new transit and road investments could contribute to reduced congestion in some locations and at certain times, an increasing population could lead to worsening congestion at other locations and times.
The Commission’s online engagement process will run February 26 through March 14 and will be designed to introduce particpants to examples and opportunities for feedback, both positive and negative.
Have your say on Mobility Pricing at www.itstimemv.ca.
Blair Qualey is President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC. You can email him at [email protected].
