EDITORIAL: Should we consider a vehicle levy?
Once again, the spectre of a vehicle levy is rising from the political grave. What was once kryptonite for politicians is now, thanks to chronic underfunding of TransLink, a potential reality, according to Metro Vancouver mayors.
But would paying an extra $50 to $100 per car, depending on the vehicle’s size and emissions, be so bad? Perhaps, it would be a more palatable alternative than a complicated road pricing system, at least in the short term.
With Aircare on its last legs and most new car owners absolved of the responsibility of paying this $40 fee every two years, perhaps the cash for car use could be switched to general operating revenues for the transportation authority.
While a vehicle levy may not solve all of TransLink’s problems in the long term, it could be a short-term fix, collected by ICBC with insurance renewal to fund road and transit improvements over the next political horizon.
Would you support a $50-$100 vehicle levy to keep buses running and pay for transportation improvements? Vote in our online poll.
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