SURREY (NEWS1130) – The mayor of Surrey says plans for tolls on the new Golden Ears, Port Mann, and Patullo Bridges are unfair to people who live south of the Fraser River.
Dianne Watts says it’s not right to charge more than $3 per crossing on the the Golden Ears and two other new bridges expected to be done in the next few years, and wants to see commuters across Metro Vancouver paying smaller tolls instead.
“That is really restrictive, and I think that if it is going to be fair and equitable, then we need to make it either 75 cents or $1 and spread it around [to all bridges],” Watts says. “Let’s be smart about it. Let’s make sure that it’s fair and equitable across the region, that the people south of the Fraser are not being penalized.”
She says TransLink and the province need to work together on tolling policies for crossings around the region, and is also renewing calls for light rail rapid transit in Surrey as a cheaper alternative to a new SkyTrain.
“We’re continuing to have those conversations with the Minister of Transportation, and hopefully we can come to a point where we can have something that’s fair and equitable,” she says.
Last week Transportation Minister Blair Lekstrom said tolling all Metro Vancouver bridges and tunnels is unlikely to happen while he’s in office.
Golden Ears Bridge
Watts wants bridge tolls to be spread around Lower Mainland
Says plans for more than $3-toll on three new bridges unfair
Andrew Hopkins
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Watt’s appears to be the Politician with any brains.
Dianne Watts was instrumental in rising the cost in BC. She had voted numerous times in the gas tax and property tax increases to support Tanslink. She spearheaded the movement together with Mayor Gregor Robertson and the rest of the mayors. You have messed up BC cost of living and it is a shame you feel obligated yet again to shift the burden to the remaining citizens. What did your Mama teach you at home ?
That mayor seems out to lunch. Valley folks pay tolls on the bridges, because they opted to live in an area that cost them less. Why should it be coastal communities problems to pay for their cheaper toll.