VICTORIA – Letters of support for the Victoria Regional Transit Commission’s request for a two cent per litre increase to the regional gas tax were delivered to both the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure and the Minister of Finance on May 18 in Victoria.
“I was very pleased that Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone acknowledged the clear evidence of regional support for both transit expansion and the option on how to fund it,” said VRTC Chair, Susan Brice. “Another positive outcome is that Ministry of Finance staff will schedule a meeting with Minister Mike de Jong to discuss next steps.”
The VRTC initially approached the provincial government in 2013 to increase the regional gas tax by two cents per litre to support expanded public transit operations. After the provincial budget was tabled in February 2016, the Minister of Finance requested that the VRTC demonstrate there is continued support from local governments, businesses and other stakeholders to fund regional transit expansion through an increased gas tax.
“I am pleased to report that there is widespread support in the Capital Region for expanded transit – both conventional and handyDART services,” added Chair Brice. “We clearly heard that there is a resounding preference to leverage the gas tax mechanism to fund expanded transit services.”
The VRTC has already received widespread endorsements from the Capital Regional District, 12 of 13 municipalities, the cycling community and the Victoria Chamber of Commerce.
“If we are successful in securing the increase in gas tax this will provide us with the local funding to take advantage of the provincial and federal funding announced recently for the coming years,” added Chair Brice.
“The Commission looks forward to working with the different levels of government and continuing to develop public transit as a viable and desired transportation option. We will ensure that our current and future resources are used as efficiently as possible to encourage more ridership and provide the best customer service we can.”
A gas tax increase of two cents per litre would raise more than $6.8 million for transit annually. The VRTC recently revised its fare structure to optimize revenue and reduce administrative costs and favours expanding transit through the gas tax option rather than raising property taxes or increasing bus fares.
Media Contact
Susan Brice, Chair, Victoria Regional Transit Commission
Susan.Brice@Saanich.ca
250-888-1677
