Metro Vancouver Transit Discussion

[WarrenC12]

The most obvious source of revenue that should be devoted to public transit (particularly large capital projects that are electric powered) is the carbon tax. $150-$200m/year and increasing until 2012. If that was earmarked for capital projects, I think it would solve the funding gap for all of the major plans over the next 20 years.

[BCPhil]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

The most obvious source of revenue that should be devoted to public transit (particularly large capital projects that are electric powered) is the carbon tax. $150-$200m/year and increasing until 2012. If that was earmarked for capital projects, I think it would solve the funding gap for all of the major plans over the next 20 years.

The problem is that's not exclusive. A lot of that money is earmarked towards income tax decreases. As well, it's a province wide tax, meaning at least half would have to go towards projects outside Metro Vancouver. And income taxes would need to be raised to maintain service levels in other ministries that that money is already going to.

We run a pretty tight budget (provincially and municipally), if we want to spend more on capital projects (and don't get me wrong, I really do want to spend more on capital projects) we would still need to levy taxes somewhere else. I like the idea of having a dedicated stream of money being spent on Green Infrastructure province wide (Victoria could use some LRT and Kelowna some rapid buses), but overall taxes would still need to go up if we want to spend more money, or cuts need to be made somewhere else.

[Zassk]

No, the real problem with using the carbon tax for transit is that the carbon tax doesn't generate any net revenue.

[BCPhil]

Originally Posted by Zassk

No, the real problem with using the carbon tax for transit is that the carbon tax doesn't generate any net revenue.

That's what I mean by "A lot of that money is earmarked towards income tax decreases".

[officedweller]

Seattle has way bigger problems with its revenue stream - which is sales tax based - $3.1 billion less in revenue over the next 15 years .

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010029034_soundtransit09m.html

[cabotp]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Seattle has way bigger problems with its revenue stream - which is sales tax based - $3.1 billion less in revenue over the next 15 years .

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010029034_soundtransit09m.html

That is the biggest reason I never want to see the use of sales taxes as funding for transit. That funding source can tank so fast it isn't even funny.

The only benefit for sales taxes is during years of economic boom it can give a nice boost.

Property taxes only tank when the value of the properties tank. So your source of income is more steady. It doesn't have the dramatic ups and downs that sales taxes have. So you can plan more efficiently for future budgets.

[Whalleyboy]

well looking around at things i came across this photo showing a connection out to guildford from central.

also found this

both from my photobucket

[cabotp]

Originally Posted by Whalleyboy

well looking around at things i came across this photo showing a connection out to guildford from central.

also found this

both from my photobucket

Ok that "Journey to work walk" picture sure is bizarre. Whats going on with the big red patch south east of Newton. Do all the walkers in Surrey happen to live there?

[aberdeen5698]

Originally Posted by cabotp

Ok that "Journey to work walk" picture sure is bizarre. Whats going on with the big red patch south east of Newton. Do all the walkers in Surrey happen to live there?

There's only one guy living in that area, and he walks to work...

[Spork]

Originally Posted by cabotp

Ok that "Journey to work walk" picture sure is bizarre. Whats going on with the big red patch south east of Newton. Do all the walkers in Surrey happen to live there?

Prostitutes like to answer surveys as well.

[cc85]

the walk to work portion is due to the civic centre.

[cabotp]

Originally Posted by aberdeen5698

There's only one guy living in that area, and he walks to work...

Ah yes the farmer in the field

[officedweller]

That would explain Barnston Island, too.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by Whalleyboy

well looking around at things i came across this photo showing a connection out to guildford from central.

both from my photobucket

Which report is that from?
City of Surrey? (i.e. is it a source that would have actual knowledge of route planning?
Do the Expo Line routes represent rapid bus or extensions?

[mrjauk]

Originally Posted by cabotp

That is the biggest reason I never want to see the use of sales taxes as funding for transit. That funding source can tank so fast it isn't even funny.

The only benefit for sales taxes is during years of economic boom it can give a nice boost.

Property taxes only tank when the value of the properties tank. So your source of income is more steady. It doesn't have the dramatic ups and downs that sales taxes have. So you can plan more efficiently for future budgets.

This is simply not true--at least in British Columbia. The city decides how much money it needs for the next year, then determines how much property tax each homeowner/business will be charged based on the relative (not absolute) value of that property. If property values in Vancouver were to drop 50%, the amount of money collected by the City via property taxes would not necessarily change. What would change is the property tax rate (or the mill rate).

[officedweller]

Surrey Rapid Transit Study - consultations this month:

http://www.translink.ca/en/Be-Part-of-th...ltations/Surrey-Rapid-Transit-Study.aspx


Alternatives to be posted on October 12th - That should be interesting!!
(Akin to the UBC extension alternatives - I expect both SkyTrain and LRT options)

http://www.translink.ca/en/Be-Part-of-th...ey-Rapid-Transit-Study/Alternatives.aspx

Workshop Schedule
A presentation will begin 45 minutes into each session, with a workshop to follow.

October 14, 2010
6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Langley Hampton Inn Rooms A, B & C
19500 Langley Bypass, Surrey

October 18, 2010
6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
SFU Surrey
Rooms 5140 & 5100
13450 102 Avenue, Surrey

October 19, 2010
1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Surrey Sport and Leisure Complex
Rooms MP1 & MP2
16555 Fraser Highway, Surrey

October 25, 2010
6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Newton Seniors Centre
Auditorium
13775 70 Avenue, Surrey

[Whalleyboy]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Which report is that from?
City of Surrey? (i.e. is it a source that would have actual knowledge of route planning?
Do the Expo Line routes represent rapid bus or extensions?

its from the files for SFU & City of Surrey Transportation Lecture Program 2010. I have my ways of finding things lol

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by Whalleyboy

its from the files for SFU & City of Surrey Transportation Lecture Program 2010. I have my ways of finding things lol

Cool. Nioce to see the lines branching at a logical spot.
Now we wait to see what the Oct 12th "alternatives" presented by TransLink may have in store - unless you already know?

[mattropolis]

Quote:
Originally Posted by officedweller View Post
Which report is that from?
City of Surrey? (i.e. is it a source that would have actual knowledge of route planning?
Do the Expo Line routes represent rapid bus or extensions?
its from the files for SFU & City of Surrey Transportation Lecture Program 2010. I have my ways of finding things lol

That map is from the Transport Action BC website, created for Transport Action. Here is a more current version.

http://bc.transport-action.ca/learning/vancouver/rail_transit_network.html

[xd_1771]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Surrey Rapid Transit Study - consultations this month:

http://www.translink.ca/en/Be-Part-of-th...ltations/Surrey-Rapid-Transit-Study.aspx


Alternatives to be posted on October 12th - That should be interesting!!
(Akin to the UBC extension alternatives - I expect both SkyTrain and LRT options)

http://www.translink.ca/en/Be-Part-of-th...ey-Rapid-Transit-Study/Alternatives.aspx

Workshop Schedule
A presentation will begin 45 minutes into each session, with a workshop to follow.

October 14, 2010
6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Langley Hampton Inn Rooms A, B & C
19500 Langley Bypass, Surrey

October 18, 2010
6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
SFU Surrey
Rooms 5140 & 5100
13450 102 Avenue, Surrey

October 19, 2010
1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Surrey Sport and Leisure Complex
Rooms MP1 & MP2
16555 Fraser Highway, Surrey

October 25, 2010
6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Newton Seniors Centre
Auditorium
13775 70 Avenue, Surrey

Now, this is exciting; seems like a very nice way to present my Port Mann-Guildford-Fleetwood-Newton-[1. Strawberry Hill-Delta-Richmond, 2. South Surrey-White Rock] LRT line plan
Too bad the presentation centres aren't any closer to where I am
Anyways, who's going to be there?