Editor, The News:
Re: Make users pay (Letters, Jan. 2).
Before implementing a .05 per cent provincial sales tax increase to fund Metro transit improvements, one should look at other ways to reduce congestion on our roads.
I believe that we could adopt the Los Angeles policies of no transport trucks between the hours of 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., none past Aldergrove during these hours Monday to Friday. This in turn would create much faster and even flowing of traffic during these hours.
Just think, every morning there are transport trucks broken down or rolled over and blocking and restricting traffic, turning it into gridlock.
Our infrastructure would last much longer if transport vehicles were forced to only use tolled bridges – the Pattullo Bridge would last much longer if it were restricted to weight limits, therefore not requiring replacement now and becoming much safer for commuter traffic.
If you look at most of the transport trucks in Metro, they are licenced and insured in Alberta, where the rates and taxes a lower. What’s with that?
These trucks ruin our roads, travelling at high speeds though our neighbourhoods from train container depots and shipping docks downtown and Roberts Bank. The goods that are being transported are going to many communities across our province. So why should we in Metro be the only ones to pay the extra tax?
If there is a tax increase, it should be a tax increase for the province, not just the region.
In conclusion: restrict times which transport trucks can enter the Metro area; restrict them to major roads and tolled bridges; increase the PST to all British Columbians.
Kevin Buell
Maple Ridge