The New Car Dealers Association of BC is putting transportation costs on the provincial election agenda, asking political parties to clarify whether new charges for motorists could form part of future transportation funding.
The association said the question follows indications before the election call that the provincial government may have been examining new approaches to funding transportation in Metro Vancouver, particularly TransLink.
“If mobility pricing or some other form of road-use charge is being considered, British Columbians deserve to know what is being proposed, who would pay, how much it could cost and how the revenue would be used,” said NCDA President and CEO Blair Qualey in a statement. “That discussion needs to happen openly, and we believe it’s a fair question to put to every political party.”
The request comes as British Columbia heads toward an Oct. 24 provincial election. Elections BC says the campaign officially began Sept. 22.
The NCDA acknowledged there are reasons to reconsider how transportation is funded as vehicles become more fuel-efficient and zero-emission vehicles account for a growing portion of the market, potentially changing revenues traditionally generated through fuel taxes.
At the same time, the association pointed to the existing costs of purchasing, insuring, maintaining and operating a vehicle as an affordability consideration when evaluating any new funding model.
Mobility pricing is one of several automotive issues the NCDA wants political parties to address during the campaign. It is also seeking commitments related to the province’s luxury vehicle tax, automotive trades and EV technician training, fast-charging infrastructure, the proposed expansion of the PST to business services and B.C.’s zero-emission vehicle policy.
