B.C. Liberals Deceived Public On True Cost Of Port Mann Tolls, Says NDP
SURREY – Internal government documents reveal that the B.C. Liberals have been keeping commuters in the dark when it comes to what it will really cost to cross the new Port Mann bridge, the New Democrats say.
Harry Bains
“Despite repeated promises from the B.C. Liberals that tolls for the new Port Mann Bridge would cost $3, we have now learned that many drivers will be paying over $5 each way to cross the bridge. This is just another example of where the B.C. Liberals said one thing before the election and another thing after,” said New Democrat transportation critic Harry Bains.
The Port Mann Concession Agreement, obtained by the New Democrats, shows that many people will have to pay over $5 to cross the bridge, despite election promises from the B.C. Liberals assuring the public that tolls would be $3 on opening day.
“Any tolling policy needs to be fair, and it needs to be transparent. Unfortunately for commuters, the B.C. Liberals’ approach is neither. The government deliberately hid the details of these agreements from the public,” said Bains, MLA for Surrey-Newton.
A rate chart in the Concession Agreement shows that car drivers who do not have a special electronic device installed in their vehicle, called a transponder, will have to pay $5.15 each way to cross the bridge, unless they pay the toll within 48 hours. Likewise, the toll for drivers of small trucks without transponders will be $8, large trucks will have to pay $10.85, and motorcyclists will be charged $3.75.
These commuters without transponders will only receive an invoice for the toll days or weeks after crossing the bridge.
Bains noted that, because there is no real practical toll-free alternative available to the Port Mann Bridge, as was promised by the B.C. Liberals, the government’s failure to provide efficient and affordable public transit adds to the motorists’ frustrations.
“With the looming HST, families are already feeling strapped,” said Bains. “The B.C. Liberals need to come clean with the public and be upfront about the real costs for tolls on the Port Mann Bridge.”
Carole James and New Democrats are working with British Columbians from all walks of life, all corners of B.C., and all sectors of our economy to build a better British Columbia for the people of this province.
