Translink & 0.5% vote (merged)

Seems like the counter argument in this thread to the number 1 obstacle NO voters have to this new tax (namely: Translink can't be trusted with additional funds) is "you guys are stupid".

LOL - excellent salesmanship guys.

The polls show the voters south of the Fraser are much more likely to vote "No". So I ask you this: is Translink any more trustworthy to voters North of the Fraser, or is there something more to the thinking of the No voters? Perhaps we can caste aside the red herring that is Compass etc. and call BS on the No for being anything but selfish. They're thinking of their pocketbook, not pricing in congestion cause it doesn't come on their bank statement and can't see further than that despite the numerous studies that say how this will affect us all.

mergers usually come with cutting duplicate staff.

That doesn't automatically mean it's a good idea. Classic Friedmanite economics has been proven wrong time and time again, yet it still forms economic policy.

The polls show the voters south of the Fraser are much more likely to vote "No". So I ask you this: is Translink any more trustworthy to voters North of the Fraser, or is there something more to the thinking of the No voters? Perhaps we can caste aside the red herring that is Compass etc. and call BS on the No for being anything but selfish. They're thinking of their pocketbook, not pricing in congestion cause it doesn't come on their bank statement and can't see further than that despite the numerous studies that say how this will affect us all.

if your paying 1500 a year in new tolls and a big chuck of gas tax in the past year you might be inclined to feel your pretty under-served for what your already dishing out compared to other lower mainland areas because transit south of the fraser is pretty shitty for what you already pay IMO.

im voting yes fyi but I see why people think it sucks

And the Translink plan just went from $7.5 billion to $7.7 billion.

http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/2015/03/16/mayors-transit-plan-to-cost-200-million-more

You can pretty much guarantee that it will be well in excess of $7.7 billion.

And the Translink plan just went from $7.5 billion to $7.7 billion.

http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/2015/03/16/mayors-transit-plan-to-cost-200-million-more

You can pretty much guarantee that it will be well in excess of $7.7 billion.

That's just going to be fuel on the fire.

if your paying 1500 a year in new tolls and a big chuck of gas tax in the past year you might be inclined to feel your pretty under-served for what your already dishing out compared to other lower mainland areas because transit south of the fraser is pretty shitty for what you already pay IMO.

im voting yes fyi but I see why people think it sucks

2nd that. If they made it 0.7% or 1% and got rid of the port man and golden ears bridge toll everyone south of fraser would vote yes.

One right winged conservative slays all the mayors and various business/union entities. And the yes side wonders why they are behind.

And now the robocalls are annoying the heck out of people.

It's hard to trust those who can't deliver a simple message. If you can't sell your idea, it may be the seller, it may be the buyer, and it just may be the idea.

Port Mann isn't really a P3 project. Instead it is run by a provincial crown corporation so in essence it is a self funded p3 project. The Golden ears bridge however, is another story. That is a P3 project and because the toll revenue is not meeting expectations, the province meaning Translink gets to cover the difference between the projected and actual revenue.

I don't live in the Metro Vancouver area, however the evil hand of Metro Vancouver is moving further east and it will be only a matter of time before our municipality will be forced to join in.

That's just going to be fuel on the fire.

The cost estimates are estimates. Nobody knows what the actual cost will be in the end especially when projecting a 15 year program. This is a reality of the universe and has nothing to do with TransLink. It is silly to obsess about a 200m shift in such a big program, so early out.

Port Mann isn't really a P3 project. Instead it is run by a provincial crown corporation so in essence it is a self funded p3 project. The Golden ears bridge however, is another story. That is a P3 project and because the toll revenue is not meeting expectations, the province meaning Translink gets to cover the difference between the projected and actual revenue.

I don't live in the Metro Vancouver area, however the evil hand of Metro Vancouver is moving further east and it will be only a matter of time before our municipality will be forced to join in.

Both projects are publically owned and any shortfall in toll revenue can only be covered by the public - the Province directly (port mann) or via TransLink (golden ears).

Mayor Development Backhander is really ramping up the fear. I keep hearing him say how this is a unique opportunity, a once in a lifetime chance to improve the transit system in Vancouver.

Give it a rest. Has Rennie said no more yearly blowjobs for Vision Condo if the Yes side doesn't win?

The cost estimates are estimates. Nobody knows what the actual cost will be in the end especially when projecting a 15 year program. This is a reality of the universe and has nothing to do with TransLink. It is silly to obsess about a 200m shift in such a big program, so early out.

Perhaps. But it's easy to read into this that the proposed budget cost was purposely made low so that the amount required by taxpayers would be more palatable. Once it begins, there will the ever increasing costs that will be blamed on various factors, and to cover the costs there will additional taxes levied.

Either the request for a specific amount of additional capital for Translink is done because there is a proposed plan that has been well thought out in terms of implementation and cost, or it hasn't. Does the proposed cost include some padding or buffer, and what's included in that. What are the milestones? What are the internal and external unknowns? What are the contingency plans for cost overruns? What is the critical path for the project?

In other words, if the Broadway subway is projected to cost $1.2 billion, and it costs $1.8 billion, will another project that costs $500 million be dropped or will the extra $500 million be raised by additional taxes or fair increases?

This is what worries people, especially since there are only token overlords such as the Mayors or Pattison. There is no accountability.

you can blame the province for the lack of accountability from translink, you the citizens are the ones who elected the mayors, and only a few months ago at that, so hanging them out to dry at this point seems a bit rich.

Port Mann isn't really a P3 project. Instead it is run by a provincial crown corporation so in essence it is a self funded p3 project.

My bad, you're quite right. It was intended to be a P3 but changed to a D/B when the proponent could not arrange appropriate financing.