AirCare fees going up again?
The Lower Mainland's AirCare testing program may have to raise the rates again, to offset the fact that more cars have been made exempt from annual testing. It would be the second increase this year. On January 1, AirCare raised the rate from $18 to $24.
The problem is TransLink, which is in charge of Aircare. TransLink decided that starting next January, vehicles from 1992 onward would only be tested every two years. That translates into a 30% drop in business for AirCare.
But AirCare isn't allowed to run a deficit. So it came up with four options to solve its financial problem.
- Vehicles older than 1992 would pay $24 a year. Those from 1992 onward would pay $48 every two years.
OR
- Older cars would pay $36 a year. Newer cars would pay $36 every two years.
OR
- Older cars would pay $24 a year. Newer cars would pay $24 every two year, plus a premium for larger vehicles with bigger engines. This would penalize SUV owners.
OR
- A $24 annual fee for all vehicles.