WHEREAS direction from the recently announced 2015 provincial budget and BC Transits 201516 to 201718 Service Plan is to freeze operating budgets at 20152016 Annual Operating Agreement levels; AND WHEREAS many local governments across British Columbia are building momentum and making great strides in improving access to transit; AND WHEREAS the freezing of operating budgets may undermine these efforts: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urge the province of British Columbia and BC Transit to reconsider its funding freeze at 201516 levels and renew its commitment to transit by restoring previously projected operating funding for the 20162017 and 20172018 fiscal years.
Ministry of Transportation Infrastructure Provincial operating funding to BC Transit increased by 45 between 2008 and 2015 and remains the highest per capita in Canada. The provincial government is further increasing its share of operating funding to BC Transit by 12.7 million over the next three fiscal years, including 1.6 million to support improved services along the Highway 16 corridor, and will fully meet its share of BC Transits capital funding requirements over that time frame. The British Columbia Transit Regulation was amended in 2015 to allow BC Transit to keep savings in provincial funding from one year for example, from lower fuel prices to offset cost increases in following years. Every part of government is looking for ways to be more efficient and to more effectively use taxpayer dollars. BC Transit will also be working with local governments to develop strategies for service innovations, cost savings and increased revenues. The Ministry of Finance is undertaking a Crown Agency Review of BC Transit to look for opportunities for cost savings and new revenues. BC Transit will be expected to implement recommendations and use any efficiency savings to support improved transit services in our communities.