‘Just another tax grab’: readers take issue with mobility pricing commission findings

METRO VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Our story about the early findings from Metro Vancouver’s mobility pricing commission drew a torrent of reaction on social media.

Most of it was negative, and some of it was laced with profanity. But, a member of the TransLink Mayor’s Council has a counterpoint.

New Westminster Mayor Jonathan X. Cote says despite the online backlash, mobility pricing is still the best way to reduce traffic congestion in the Lower Mainland.

He admits the commission has a tough job ahead of them.

“People are concerned about affordability in the region, but there’s also concerns about the lack of investments of transportation infrastructure in the region.”

Cote adds the two options put forward by the commission are reasonable and worth taking a look at. He says this also doesn’t have to mean everyone’s expenses will go up.

“If this is going to come in place, how can we actually start to reduce some of our fees, like gas taxes, to help drivers and commuters in other ways.”

Meanwhile, Port Coquitlam Mayor Greg Moore says one of the big goals here is to reduce traffic congestion.

“We hear it all of the time, that congestion is hurting business, it’s taking away from family life, and people want us to deal with congestion,” he tells NEWS 1130. “This is an important discussion if we can, we know that congestion costs the people money.”

Some of our listeners wonder why Metro Vancouver is considering piling on more expenses when carbon taxes just went up, and we already pay the highest gas prices in North America.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today