VANCOUVER B.C. – Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Green Party, released the party’s transportation platform today in Vancouver.
“British Columbians need investments in transportation to make their lives more affordable and convenient,” said Weaver. “Both the B.C. Liberals and the B.C. NDP have been playing politics with transportation, cynically holding doomed-to-fail referendums and slashing bridge tolls to pick up a few seats in swing ridings.
“The B.C. Greens believe in an evidence-based, equitable and fiscally-sound approach to transportation that puts the needs of British Columbians first. We will work with municipal leaders, including supporting the Mayors’ Council’s 10-year plan, to deliver the infrastructure and transit improvements that will make B.C. more liveable, while reducing emissions and allowing us to become a leader in climate action and the emerging economy.”
Weaver made the announcement alongside B.C. Greens Transportation Spokesperson Jerry Kroll.
Key elements of the platform include:
- Providing an additional $25 million per year of funding for public transit to address frequency of service and affordable fares.
- Investing an additional $152 million in capital expenditures to fully match the federal contribution of $460 million for public transit infrastructure.
- Using tools such as mobility pricing to manage congestion and generate funds for public transportation upgrades.
- Promoting investment in clean transportation initiatives and technology that creates jobs and economic activity without increasing greenhouse gas emissions.
- Promoting choices with a lower carbon footprint.
- Developing criteria for sustainability analysis of transportation investments, which will include consideration of cumulative impacts.
- Developing a new 10-year, integrated transportation plan focused on affordable, clean transportation.
- Empowering Greater Vancouver mayors to implement a regional green transportation plan.
- Working with local governments to address funding for community and regional transportation infrastructure.
- Bringing B.C. Ferries back into Government as a crown corporation and conducting a full review of B.C. Ferries operations.
Weaver added that a B.C. Green government will introduce ridesharing legislation at the earliest possible opportunity. While an MLA, Weaver twice introduced a ridesharing bill that was not supported by either of the other two parties in the legislature.
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