They are calling it a congestion improvement tax but I think of it more as an incompetence tax to pay for all of TransLink's blundering. Instead of their Plan A, let's take the high road with my Plans B, C, D and E over the next 20 years.
A majority of Lower Mainland mayors want us to vote "yes" to Plan A, which would raise the provincial sales tax by half a point, but it looks like South Delta won't benefit much from Plan A. Personally, I hate to see everyone in the Lower Mainland have to pay another tax, especially the working poor and lower income folks who are already struggling.
I think it fairer if all drivers paid a small toll - possibly 50 cents or at most $1 - on all bridges/tunnels
crossing the Fraser River and Burrard Inlet (not False Creek).
To get my "yes" vote here in South Delta they must, at the very least, promise to provide space on the new (Massey) bridge for SkyTrain (Plan B). Next, within 12 years, using light ground rail, extend rapid transit from Richmond over the bridge to four new stations in Ladner, Tsawwassen, the new Tsawwassen First Nation malls and, of course, the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal (Plan C).
Imagine transit efficiency plus the number of cars and buses that would be taken off our roads. Just as the Canada Line to Richmond and YVR exceeded ridership projections, I believe a South Delta extension would do the same.
Don't forget, there are four to five large residential developments in the works: Tsawwassen Springs, Tsawwassen Shores, Southlands, Marina Gardens and eventually Paterson Park. See, I am thinking positive.
Let's continue down this highway to the ferry terminal (Plan D). B.C. Ferries should reduce some of its larger ship services, which often run well under capacity, and
replace them with smaller, more frequent passenger shuttles similar to the Sea Buses, because the high cost of taking a car means more people are travelling as walk-ons.
Many Gulf Islanders buy an old car to leave near the terminal rather than pay the exorbitant ferry fares. The islands are suffering terribly, proven by 2015 property assessments that are back to 1980 levels. Galianoites and Salt Springers might want to sit down before reading on.
The final stage of my 20-year Plan E is a biggie, which is a vehicle crossing to Vancouver Island. If they can build the 50-kilometre Chunnel under the English Channel, then surely we can build a 10-kilometre tunnel under George Strait to Galiano. Add a relatively short bridge over to Salt Spring and another to Vancouver Island around Chemanius and bazinga!
B.C. Ferries is relegated back to serving our northern coastal communities and tourism and the Islands Trust could make sure the highway crossing the two Gulf Islands is located where it would have the least impact on residents and the environment.
