Dave Hall – No, bridges were constructed and financed with a formula that built this in. To remove tolls would require replacing this revenue with another tax or fee, likely property tax and a further download from the province.
Miriam Marshall – Yes. Once a bridge is paid for, then yes, I am in support of removing tolls or reducing tolls if some funding is still required for maintenance. Based on our current transportation management structure, Translink falls under Provincial jurisdiction. However, that would not stop me from advocating on behalf of the needs of City residents. We are in a democracy; therefore, we still have the freedom to let our wishes/needs be heard and they should be considered, despite jurisdictional authority.
Gayle Martin – No not at this time as I noted, I support all Metro Vancouver Bridges being tolled at a nominal price, currently I think the tolls are too high. The current tolls go toward paying for the bridge, so I don’t believe it’s possible to remove them as tolls were agreed upon prior to contracts for the bridge.
Sharon Newbery – No. The infrastructure needs to be paid for, if the tolls are removed from the bridges where is the funding going to come from? I feel this is the fairest way to everyone to pay for the infrastructure needs.
Nathan Pachal – No. The tolling of bridges is the responsibility of the province and TransLink. TransLink is directed by the Mayors’ Council. A Langley City Councillor would have no say in this matter. Tolling is an important way to fund bridges; these are multi-billion dollar projects. When it comes to major transportation systems (whether bridges or transit), the cost should be split between taxes and direct-user fees. People who use these costly systems should pay their fair share. User fees also help people make smart transportation choices, reducing congestion, and ultimately saving them money.
Carla Robin – No, then where would some base funding realistically come from? Which pocket would you like to pull it out of? Again, this decision-making is not in the hands of city councillors, but controlled by Translink and provincial authority.
Rudy Stoorteboom – No. I do think that the bridge tolls are too high though. Significantly lower tolls at “pinch points†on the Major Roads Network, throughout the region (not just South of the Fraser River), is more acceptable for Langley City residents than the current model. I would prefer to have TransLink develop a self-reliant business plan that would make the transit system more sensitive and accountable to the wants and needs of customers. However, public transportation in Metro Vancouver is setup as a social responsibility that requires additional funding from public sources. Although maintenance costs for the Major Roads Network is a very, very small part of the TransLink Annual Budget, “road pricing†with reasonable tolls would probably be the least offensive option for people who drive rather than take the bus.
Val van den Broek – No - collect a smaller fee from all bridges to help cover costs & so its more affordable to everyone