The Lions Gate Bridge is one of the biggest congestion points in Metro Vancouver traffic | BIV files
The Mobility Pricing Commission, which has been studying ways to reduce congestion across Metro Vancouver, released a report May 24 that included recommendations for how to make traffic more manageable.
“Everyone who uses the transportation system should pay something for it. It should cost more if using the road causes congestion,” the report, Metro Vancouver Mobility Pricing, said. “It is important to find the right balance between paying for use and paying for congestion.
“…those trips contributing more to traffic congestion, by travelling in congested locations at congested times in a way that takes up more space per person, should pay more – ‘user cost.’”
The commission recommended two ways of possible decongestion charging but has not recommended which of the two models should be chosen.
1. Regional congestion point charge – which the report said could cost the average household $5-$8 per day, or $1,800-$2,700 per year – and reduce congestion by 25%. The capital cost to establish this system would be $150-350 million and operating costs would be $110-200 million.
The congestion points are the Lions Gate and Ironworkers bridges; the Arthur Laing, Oak and Knight bridges; the Queensborough, Pattullo and Port Mann bridges; The George Massey and Alex Fraser bridges; the Pitt River and Golden Ears bridges and North Road.
Image: Metro Vancouver Mobility Pricing report
The False Creek bridges were not included in the recommendations because, according to the report, adding charges there would just divert congestion to Main and Quebec streets.
2. Distance-based charge – which the report said could cost the average household $3-$5 per day, with a similar reduction in congestion. For the purpose of the study, eight zones were included in the analysis.
Image: Metro Vancouver Mobility Pricing report
Sample charge rates (the commission said these are illustrative fees only):
Image: Metro Vancouver Mobility Pricing report
The commission has not recommended which of the two models should be chosen.
The commission also considered a “buck-a-bridge” approach for all bridges. It said, however, that it determined it would not have an impact on congestion and it would not be an efficient way to raise revenue. “Annual gross revenue of charging a dollar per bridge is estimated at $390 million,” the report said. “However, annual system costs are estimated at $210 million.
“Therefore the estimated annual net revenue is $180 million (only 46% of gross revenue).”
The report is the first phase of a feasibility study. This is expected to be followed by 1-2 years of policy development and 2-3 years of implementation.
@EmmaHampelBIV
