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 policy on B.C. Ferries, infrastructure financing and TransLink funding.

The BCTA told Reid that the government should appoint an independent board of directors (including a member that understands 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 Corporation 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 overheight recreational vehicles.

The BCTA also voiced some concerns over the province’s highway capital investments, which are slated to undergo a considerable decline. Private sector investments are proving to be the way of the future in B.C., as government commits less money to infrastructure. The BCTA is concerned tolls supporting public-private partnerships will mean more costs to road users. While tolls appear to be looming on many of the province’s highways in the not too distant future, the BCTA appealed to Reid to ensure the revenue generated by these tolls be spent directly on highways.