Metro Vancouver Transit Discussion II

[CanSpice]

Originally Posted by logicbomb

People do notice.

One of my dear relatives has seen their Vancouver property value go from 1.2 mil to 4.5 mil in 15 years. They have gone through multiple tenants with yearly rental income going from near 15k to 33k in that span. Despite their increasing property taxes, they are collecting more $$ per year, outpacing inflation and have seen their home values go up. Yet these jokesters are always out there in the community clamouring for a break from increasing property taxes trying to say they are old and don't have enough income to withstand any further increases!

Tell them that they don't have to pay any property taxes at all because the provincial government offers a property tax deferral program for anybody 55 and older.

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by CanSpice

Tell them that they don't have to pay any property taxes at all because the provincial government offers a property tax deferral program for anybody 55 and older.

Only if it's their principal residence - in which case they're living there. The deferral isn't available for rental properties, whatever the age of the owner.

[whatnext]

Sounds like the NDP's "new funding" is going to be a vehicle levy. Wouldn't 2028 be the next election? I guess Eby is planning on bailing before then.

Rob Shaw: TransLink’s future may ride on a vehicle levy for Metro Vancouver
The province is crafting a new transit funding tool for 2027. With other ideas ruled out, Lower Mainland drivers could soon foot the bill.
Rob Shaw
about 3 hours ago

Could vehicle levies be on the way to help fund Metro Vancouver transit?

That’s the leading possibility, after the B.C. government revealed Thursday it is preparing to create a totally new funding source for TransLink by 2027 to help provide a stable flow of cash to avoid service reductions.

The surprise news was buried inside an announcement that the province was providing $312 million over the next three years to help avoid massive cuts to bus, SkyTrain and SeaBus service, which were matched by TransLink raising property taxes, parking taxes and various fares.

“In addition, the province has committed, subject to approval of the legislature, to enable additional revenue source(s) in 2027,” read TransLink’s report.

“If passed, the new source(s) is intended to begin in 2027 with full implementation in 2028 generating at least $112 million per year in new revenue when fully implemented.”...

https://www.vancouverisawesome.com/trans...ehicle-levy-for-metro-vancouver-10510671

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Sounds like the NDP's "new funding" is going to be a vehicle levy. Wouldn't 2028 be the next election? I guess Eby is planning on bailing before then.

Aren't you someone who complains that EV owners don't pay their fair share because they don't have to pay provincial gas tax? If the TransLink part of that tax was dropped, and converted to a vehicle levy, wouldn't that be something you support?

[aberdeen5698]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Sounds like the NDP's "new funding" is going to be a vehicle levy.

As long as the levy isn't more than the annual ICBC rebate...

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by Changing City

Aren't you someone who complains that EV owners don't pay their fair share because they don't have to pay provincial gas tax? If the TransLink part of that tax was dropped, and converted to a vehicle levy, wouldn't that be something you support?

He's the whiner in chief.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by aberdeen5698

As long as the levy isn't more than the annual ICBC rebate...

Yep, I pointed that out when ICBC announced the stupid rebate. Just put that into transit. Maybe they should merge ICBC and Translink.

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Yep, I pointed that out when ICBC announced the stupid rebate. Just put that into transit. Maybe they should merge ICBC and Translink.

But you'd have to add BC Transit, obviously. While TransLink's revenue (excluding subsidies) rose 8.8% in 2024, BC Transit's fell by 1.1%.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Yep, I pointed that out when ICBC announced the stupid rebate. Just put that into transit. Maybe they should merge ICBC and Translink.

So you'd support the Province raiding ICBC to fill other budgetary holes?

I'm pretty sure whatnext of 10 minutes ago would be ranting against that.

[cganuelas1995]

Originally Posted by Changing City

But you'd have to add BC Transit, obviously. While TransLink's revenue (excluding subsidies) rose 8.8% in 2024, BC Transit's fell by 1.1%.

Yeah I really don't get why transit in Metro Vancouver is operated by TransLink instead of just staying as part of the BC Transit system of systems

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by Changing City

But you'd have to add BC Transit, obviously. While TransLink's revenue (excluding subsidies) rose 8.8% in 2024, BC Transit's fell by 1.1%.

A link up might make some sense as Translink is responsible for some roads. Does BC Transit have those obligations in the areas it operates?

[officedweller]

No, BC Transit wouldn't have any major roads responsibilities.

[WarrenC12]

The BC Liberals split it out so it could be a whipping boy for transit, taxes, etc in the Lower Mainland. So far that is working well.

[Migrant_Coconut]

Eh, worked out for the best - if we'd stuck with BC Transit, we might be as screwed as Abbotsford. Victoria's thinking about splitting off as well.

[Tvisforme]

Originally Posted by cganuelas1995

Yeah I really don't get why transit in Metro Vancouver is operated by TransLink instead of just staying as part of the BC Transit system of systems

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

The BC Liberals split it out so it could be a whipping boy for transit, taxes, etc in the Lower Mainland. So far that is working well.

The BC Liberals did revamp TransLink's governance structure significantly in 2007, but the split from BC Transit was almost a decade earlier (1998) under Glen Clark's NDP government. From the Wikipedia article:

TransLink was created in 1998 as the Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority (GVTA) and was fully implemented in April 1999 by the Government of British Columbia to replace BC Transit in the Greater Vancouver Regional District and assume many transportation responsibilities previously held by the provincial government.

[WarrenC12]

Good catch, thanks. Either way my whipping boy comment stands.

[cganuelas1995]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

Eh, worked out for the best - if we'd stuck with BC Transit, we might be as screwed as Abbotsford. Victoria's thinking about splitting off as well.

Imagine if Victoria Regional Transit System and TransLink teamed up

[madog222]

Originally Posted by cganuelas1995

Imagine if Victoria Regional Transit System and TransLink teamed up

Why, what would the achieve?

The two agencies have different mandates and jurisdictions with zero overlap and a major geographic divide. There would be nothing to gain except for inefficiencies by merging.
Besides, not a single person from the Island would support and mainland agency meddling in their affairs.

Don't forget that Translink's mandate is more than just public transit, they are more than just CMBC and BCRTC.

[Tvisforme]

Originally Posted by cganuelas1995

Imagine if Victoria Regional Transit System and TransLink teamed up

Originally Posted by madog222

...The two agencies have different mandates and jurisdictions with zero overlap and a major geographic divide. There would be nothing to gain except for inefficiencies by merging...

What would be good is if passes from either system were valid in the other jurisdiction.

[Migrant_Coconut]

One single card that covered Metro Vancouver, Metro Victoria and the ferries would solve so many mild inconveniences.