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Mobililty pricing might make drivers pay for being stuck in traffic jams

Options include charging drivers who pass certain high congestion points
delta traffic
The Mobility Pricing Independent Commission says the concepts put forward show promising results but require more analysis, including further study.

Drivers could find themselves paying for the privilege of being stuck in a George Massey Tunnel traffic jam.

The Mobility Pricing Independent Commission appeared before a joint meeting of TransLink’s Mayors’ Council and board of directors today to go over the commission’s final report on potential mobility pricing schemes for the region.

Looking at various options to reduce congestion by up to 25 per cent, the commission boiled down the options to a pair of potential schemes that still have to be examined further by the region.

One is a congestion point charge that would see drivers charged as they pass certain high congestion points, and perhaps at certain times of day, which includes bridges as well as the tunnel.

“The charge is set so that it motivates just the right number of people to change their  travel habits, by using another route, carpooling, taking alternate modes of transportation (transit, walking, cycling or motorcycle), or simply avoiding travelling during peak periods,” the report explains.

Other cities around the world have implemented decongestion charging to combat their congestion, including London, Stockholm, Milan, and Singapore, the report adds. Pilot projects and studies are underway in many North American jurisdictions including Oregon, Los Angeles, and Seattle.

The report notes several lessons have emerged including well-designed decongestion charging systems reducing traffic by 15 to 20 per cent, while cutting congestion by around one-third. Most people continue to drive and enjoy decreased travel times and increased travel time reliability, the report notes.

Looking at potential charges of $5 to $8, an analysis suggests such a charge could would cost the average household that doesn’t change its driving behavior up $2,700 annually.

The other option would see distance-based charges that would have drivers pay for each kilometre. The charges, which would vary by time and location, could see drivers pay upwards of $1,700 annually.

Also looking at potentially eliminating the regional gas tax, the report was working on the assumption that the tunnel would be replaced by a new 10-lane bridge. Since the commission began its work, the province suspended the project and is waiting for the outcome of an independent technical review. Those findings should be available this spring, but it’s not clear if, or when, the bridge or some other alternative would be constructed.

Details on mobility pricing charges including the fees and new zones would still need to be worked out and it would be a few years before a system is implemented.

A spokesperson for the commission told the Delta Optimist the commission’s work has been completed and it will dissolve. The next steps would have to be decided by TransLink and the Mayors’ Council. If they decide to go ahead with the next phase, further studies would take place.

Mayor Lois Jackson said the commission did a good job and fulfilled its mandate, but fairness needs to be worked into the equation so as to not penalize residents south of the Fraser who are forced to use their cars because they have no other options.

“I agree it’s a long way out. You simply can’t be charging long distances with a heavy price when there’s no other opportunity for people that have no other options, so there’s a long way to go when it comes to mobility pricing. There’s at least a good base on which to begin further discussion as time goes on,” she said.