~ F te? B.C. HYDRO OFF-LO oe ADS ITS MONEY-LOSING BUSES April 1 onto the new Urban Transit seme oe F oe ae Pia SORENESS MEER ie Sa cat Se . isha x ae wna \ , ty ptt ee th KO or om ar an Authority, whose financing plans are described by City Alderman Murray Colcleugh as “taxation without representation”. In future years municipal residents may have to pick up the tab for 40 per cent or more of operating losses -- through and extra gasoline tax, electric power surcharges and additional property taxes. “LIKE BOSTON TEA PARTY’ Aldermen protest new | transit system taxation ‘It’s like the Boston Tea Party...taxation without representation,’’ declared North Vancouver City Alder- man Murray Colcleugh -Monday night, referring to the financial arrangements planned by the provincial government’s new Urban Transit Authority. His comment followed a “presentation to council by Bill Ferry, spokesman for the UTA, which takes over responsibility for Lower Mainland bus services from B.C. Hydro April 1, as well as for public transit operat- COOKE Licence Plates And AUTO PLAN Available now! ions throughout the remain- der of the province. Outlining details of the new transit legislation, Ferry explained that the UTA itself will. be the regulating body concerned with the financing of the system. The second partner in the system will be the actual operator under a regional Transit Commission integrated with the UTA. The third partner will be the municipality, which will determine local routes and fares, and will also - over a phase-in period of five years - -40 per cent eventually contribute up to or more of operating deficits. However, the municipal- ity, it was learned, will not hold any control over finan- cing beyond its obligation to collect the money needed for its share of operating deficits. For this purpose it is empowered by the UTA to levy a three-cent gasoline tax, a surcharge on Hydro electricity bills and, at a later Stage, increased property taxes, Alderman Frank Marcino HERE’S WHY: Emergency road service. Minimum 7'4% savings! © Private insurance companies now offer Alternative Collision Coverage! ¢ No loss of discount on first accident. e Five year safe driver discounts. e Full purchase price if new car, written off in first 30 months of ownership. © $15 per day for rental in case of accident. ® $20,000 Accidental Death. e @ did not go along with this lack of municipal participat- ion in determining costs. **The expense will be to the municipal taxpayer,’’ he said, ‘‘but we really have no voice in the matter.” After charging Victoria with inflicting. via the UTA, “taxation without represen- tation’', Alderman Colcleugh told council: ‘‘The guys in the provincial’ government have all the power and options, and we're dragged in kicking and screaming with them. Page 7, January 31, 1979 - North Shore News “They throw their little concessions ..and we're supposed to say thank you for them.’’ . Colcleugh also questioned ' Ferry on why the transit operators under the UTA were going to be stuck with old, outmoded vehicles (transferred to the Authority from B.C. Hydro). **Some of the rolling stock has not been replaced on-an ongoing basis.’’ he said, “The tirotlies are at least thirty years old. Cofcieugh warned that the wholesale upgrading of the system would add to an already mounting transit deficit - a situation which Ferry admitted might occur. clogs from Europe. DO | WORRY ? ¢ Eight qualified personnel to assist and advise on your insurance requirements. Largest and most experienced auto insurer on North Shore. (over 25,000 Auto Policies issued 1978) We're here year-round for your convenience: 9 a.m. -9p.m. daily. Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Full service agency, including homeowner. life and new real estate division. 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North Van City, together with all other Lower Main- land municipalities, will have a further opportunity to voice its views on the new transit system at a UTA meeting scheduled for February 7. through Stet si ch as the, n Bette fe hive te ioe EW ees Se Eran EZ] wired. i LE se ej tate Airey 4 a. oo KE: