There are no painless solutions to the rising cost of public transit, but a two-cent hike in the transit gas tax comes close. The price of gasoline in Greater Victoria goes up and down like a yo-yo on a daily basis 鈥� a couple of pennies per litre will hardly be noticed.
Gas-price fluctuations are a mystery to many, but at least with the gas tax, we know the reason for the increase and we can see how the money is being spent.
Looking for ways to pay for expanded bus service, members of the regional transit commission have voted to raise the gas tax to 5.5 cents a litre, rather than seeking an increase in property taxes. The recommendation must be approved by the Capital Regional District board before being sent on to sa国际传媒 Transportation Minister Todd Stone.
Stone says he is committed to discussing the increase with the transit commission and hearing its plans for expanded service. The gas-tax increase would raise about $7 million a year.
On the surface, there appears to be a disconnect 鈥� those paying the increase aren鈥檛 generally the ones who ride the buses 鈥� but improved bus service is in everyone鈥檚 interest. Mass transit is vital to the prosperity and development of Greater Victoria. This is a spread-out region 鈥� very few people are able to work, shop or attend school within walking distance of their homes. A system that moves people quickly and efficiently from one place to another is important to the health of the community.
About 34 per cent of the regional transit system鈥檚 revenue comes from fares, but raising fares isn鈥檛 the answer, as sa国际传媒 Ferries has learned. While people take transit for a variety of reasons, many passengers do so because it鈥檚 their only affordable way to get to work and school, as well as to enjoy shopping and recreational amenities. Higher fares would create hardships for them, and it could be the tipping point for others who might go back to driving their cars.
Public transit can never be self-sustaining 鈥� it can work only if fares are subsidized. That doesn鈥檛 mean the benefits are one-sided. More people on the buses means fewer cars on the road. That reduces traffic congestion for those still in their cars, limits air pollution and lessens the need for road maintenance.
Using transit has other benefits 鈥� instead of enduring the stress of navigating the Colwood Crawl, you can relax, read or snooze. You can check your email, surf the Internet or chat on the phone (discreetly and quietly, we hope) without attracting the disapproving stares of drivers or, worse, the attention of alert traffic police. When you arrive at your destination, you don鈥檛 have to pay for parking.
As the population of Greater Victoria continues to grow, simply adding buses and extending routes might not be enough, and light-rail transit will become increasingly attractive.
But until then, two cents a litre is not an unreasonable price to pay to expand the current system.
Taxpayers get tired of seeing their money poured, seemingly without a trace, into that giant government maw. Dollars collected through the increased tax at the gas pumps will be seen on the streets in the form of transit buses.
The gas-tax increase merits approval. The money will be put to good use.
