TransLink warns no levy means less transit

TransLink officials warn that the death of the controversial vehicle tax will mean bus service cuts of up to 25%, and delays in road improvements.

The TransLink Board of Directors approved the new levy, but the B.C. government has refused to collect it.

The minister responsible for TransLink, Mike Farnworth, says it's clear there was no support for the new tax that would have cost motorists up to $120 a year.

TransLink Chair George Puil says there aren't many other options to pay for transit improvements. "We could go to the property tax, which we're reluctant to do because we feel that would be at great imposition, so we're just not going to do that," he says, "and consequently, our reaction would be, we'll just have to cut back. It would mean the cutbacks in 2002, in particular, would be horrendous."

Puil says the greatest impact will be on the number of hours of transit service.

The leading opponent of the tax, Surrey mayor Doug McCallum, accuses TransLink officials of using scare tactics.