http://www.vancouver...5659/story.htmlRegional sales tax ‘only option’ to pay for Lower Mainland transit expansion, say advocates
Sustainable funding option would cost taxpayers only 35 cents a day
By Kelly Sinoski, Vancouver Sun August 26, 2013
METRO VANCOUVER -- Transit advocates are pushing a regional sales tax as the only option for TransLink to generate the $6.5 billion it needs to expand bus and transit service in Metro Vancouver.
In their Leap Ahead plan, released Monday, transportation bloggers Paul Hillsdon and Nathan Pachal suggest a 0.5 per cent regional sales tax, based on the ratio of former HST revenue proportionate to the Metro Vancouver population, would generate nearly $250 million per year.
Such a move is common in the U.S., where regional sales tax is used to pay for operating transit services in cities like Los Angeles, Seattle and Denver.
some interviews here:
http://www.cbc.ca/ne...k-proposal.html
I'm just thinking of this old report on our infrastructure. Obvious'y there's other stuff it could be used for too:
Report says infrastructure in Victoria is near collapse; Cost to fix roads, sewers, water lines would be more than $20.7 million
Watts, Richard. Times - Colonist [Victoria, B.C] 25 Jan 2009: A.1.
From the landmark Johnson Street Bridge to roads, buildings, sewers and water lines, Victoria's infrastructure is nearing the end of its life, says a report to city council.
Presented to councillors last week, the report said Victoria's infrastructure is among the oldest of any city in Canada, some of it over a century old.
The report suggested it would cost $20.7 million a year extend the life of some elements of the infrastructure and replace what's broken, but noted the city has budgeted only $10.4 million for the task this year.
"We are trying to play catch-up with rehabilitation and get to the point where we can do proper maintenance and plan for replacement," said Mike Lai, an assistant director in the city's engineering department.
Each of five types of infrastructure was graded: civic facilities and buildings were deemed fair, as was the water system, while storm drains and sanitary sewers were both marked poor. Only roads received a good grade.
Neighbouring Saanich, where infrastructure is typically younger, is also facing high replacement costs.
Colin Doyle, director of engineering, said the municipality has many kilometres of storm sewers constructed from wooden boards. "Not surprisingly the wood has rotted out."