Dear Editor
I would like to share with you my concern re: the mayhem in New Westminster, created since the new Port Mann Bridge tolls were put in place.
As a resident of New Westminster, I was appalled at the sudden traffic delays on Columbia Street, attempting to access the Pattullo Bridge, which began soon after the new tolls were implemented, when the earlier toll rates were discontinued.
Before this traffic jam, it would take me five minutes to drive to a SkyTrain station in New Westminster, park the car and jump on the SkyTrain. That is no longer possible during the day, Monday to Friday.
My concerns were directed in an email to the provincial minister of transportation, Todd Stone, in February 2014. The response from his office in May 2014 speaks well of the lack of the minister's understanding of what is really going on in our neighbourhood and which continues today, a year later.
It is my belief that much of our traffic woes in the Columbia/Pattullo Bridge access points could be alleviated if the Port Mann Bridge toll was reduced to the former level of $1.50 a crossing for cars, and a similar consideration for commercial vehicles and tractor trailers were put into effect.
If the Port Mann Bridge is expected to serve our needs for the next 75 years, surely there is a formula that can be found to meet the costs, and at an attractive price to encourage motorists to use it.
The recently announced incentive to get people to use the bridge is not the solution.
Reducing the toll cost is the solution.
Will I support the 0.5 per cent tax increase for the proposed transportation and infrastructure improvements? No. Not until the TransLink authority is dismantled and a Greater Vancouver municipal body is created to manage our transportation needs.
The recent news of Jimmy Pattison coming aboard to oversee the use of public funds created for this project is admirable.
However, it is the administration of the process that needs to be changed, and to include all municipal entities on a board that controls costs and manages the whole transit system within the Greater Vancouver area.
John More, New Westminster
