LANGLEY, B.C. — The B.C. Trucking Association (BCTA) has raised a number of concerns about TransLink’s long-term transportation plan.

The regional transit authority is nearing the end of its strategic transportation plan and is currently in the process of developing a new one. It must, by law have a balanced budget and a transportation plan. However, the BCTA says TransLink is on the course to run out of money without substantial tax increases some of which could affect the trucking industry.

In a recent submission to TransLink, the BCTA said "While we agree on many of the principles enunciated in the Outlook, BCTA feels that the strategies chosen to deal with some of these issues are likely to fail. Basically, BCTA remains concerned that TransLink’s plans are a recipe for rising taxes and debt, only modest improvements in transit’s ridership share and, except for targeted corridors, heightened levels of system-wide congestion."

By 2013, TransLink expects to be spending 85 per cent more than today. The BCTA has asked "Where will this money come from and will taxpayers receive full and fair value for their money?"

The association is urging TransLink to abandon its plan to invest in high-cost items such as electric trolleys and a Richmond Airport Vancouver line and instead, explore the use of low-cost alternatives. It would also like to see TransLink contribute more to the region’s road network. The BCTA’s comments will be considered as part of TransLink’s ongoing public consultations.