VANCOUVER, B.C. — Trucks in B.C. will be once again subjected to roadside emissions testing under the resurrected AirCare On-Road program.

The program is being re-launched by the Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection along with several other regional and provincial government departments. The program was initially launched in 1999, but scrapped in 2002 due to a lack of funding.

Under the program, heavy-duty vehicles that are visibly smoking excessively will be subjected to roadside emissions tests. The first phase of the program, expected to be launched by the end of the month, will result in perpetrators receiving a warning and repair order. It will primarily be an educational period.

The second phase, which will be launched after consultation with the industry and other stakeholders, will result in fines being placed for non-compliant vehicles. The amounts of the fines have yet to be determined.

Getting the program up and running again is expected to cost $110,000 while annual operating costs are pegged at $26,000. TransLink is providing some of the funding while the Greater Vancouver Regional District and the province are also chipping in.

Carriers that would like their vehicles tested before fines are levied can contact Steve Parkinson of AirCare at 604-435-5174. The mobile testing units will visit the carrier’s yard to test vehicles prior to the enforcement phase of the program. Each test takes about 10 to 15 minutes.