Premier and mayors debate TransLink funding crisis

Metro Vancouver mayors are sitting down with Premier Gordon Campbell and Transportation Minister Shirley Bond for the first time ever on Thursday to discuss TransLink's long-term funding crisis.

The regional transportation authority's financial plan for 2011 was approved by the mayors in July, but with a warning that more money must be found to expand the regional transportation system to meet the demands of the growing population.

In the past the regional mayors have demanded the province provide the funding. But the provincial government has long said it's the responsibility of the region's mayors to find ways to raise the cash by hiking taxes and transit fees, adding tolls, or a vehicle levy.

Now, Langley Mayor Peter Fassbender, who also chairs Translink's governing Mayor's Council, says the solution may be higher user fees.

"We have to move to more of a user-pay system. What that includes, whether that's a vehicle levy or other mobility incentives. I think what we have to do is just use the stick, but we have to find some carrots as well," said Fassbender.

TransLink was created by the provincial government to run Metro Vancouver's transportation infrastucture, including bridges, rapid transit and bus services. It is governed by the Mayor's Council which oversees the Board of Directors.