Whereas TransLink relies on gasoline taxes to fund their services and those revenues can be expected to decline as the provincial and federal government move towards requiring all new passenger vehicles to be electric by 2035; And whereas there is a need for more predictable funding and increased investments in transit services; to address traffic congestion and equitable access to transportation in our rapidly growing and increasingly densifying communities: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM advocates to the Province to devise a new formula for funding transit services, that does not rely on gasoline taxes and supports the continued improvement of transit services across BC; And be it further resolved that UBCM advocates to the federal government for earlier and increased permanent transit funding, including for infrastructure projects.
Ministry of Transportation and Transit TransLink is an independent regional transportation authority created under the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Act SCBCTAA. Its operating funding comes from a variety of sources, outlined in the SCBCTAA, including specific taxes e.g., fuel, parking and property, transit fares and other levies. The Province has always understood that solving TransLinks financial challenges requires collaboration from all partners, including TransLink, the Mayors Council and the provincial and federal governments. Prior to 2020, TransLinks operating costs were funded entirely through regional revenues and TransLinks commercial and investment revenues. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, TransLinks operating revenue has not supported the cost of existing transit service levels or expansion needs, with one factor being a faster-than forecasted decline in one of TransLinks primary revenue sources, the fuel tax. The Province recognizes the financial challenges TransLink is facing as costs and demand for more service increase and expansion becomes necessary. Since 2017, the Province has committed over 11.6 billion in combined operating and capital funding commitments to support TransLink. Most recently, the Province provided over 312 million in funding over the next three years that will protect services and support priority expansion identified in TransLinks 2025 Investment Plan. Long-term, the Province is actively working with TransLink on identifying a funding solution to help ensure a robust and efficient transit system well into the future. In addition, the Province will enable the Mayors Council to increase its parking rights taxone of TransLinks operating revenue sourcesfrom the current cap at 24 percent up to 29 percent. This is expected to generate up to an additional 20 million in annual revenue for TransLink, which will be used to fund road and transit operations in the region. This new provincial support that protects and expands the services people need, will allow time for the Province to work with TransLink and the Mayors Council on a solution to ensure TransLinks long-term sustainability while making progress on TransLinks expansion ambitions.