LANGLEY, B.C. – The B.C. Trucking Association (BCTA) recently met with Transportation Minister, Judith Reid, to discuss some key issues affecting the trucking industry. Topping the agenda were the BCTA’s policies on B.C. Ferries, infrastructure financing and TransLink funding.

The BCTA told Reid the government should appoint an independent board of directors (including a member who has an understanding of the trucking industry) to manage B.C. Ferries.

The BCTA made it clear it supports service improvement alternatives that emphasize private sector solutions allowing the Crown Corp. more flexibility in managing its core business.

The trucking association also said it has an open mind regarding commercialization of fleet operations, provided it is done in a regulated environment and tariffs and service levels are monitored by government. The BCTA also urged Reid to deem the ferry services an essential service. The BCTA also called for more fairness in rates, noting different rates are applied to overheight commercial vehicles as opposed to overheight recreational vehicles. The BCTA also voiced some concerns over highway funds.