When it comes to the Metro Vancouver transit vote, members of a Burnaby planning table for seniors are keeping their cards close to their chests.
Voices of Burnaby Seniors, the local planning table that advocates for seniors’ issues, is not talking about its position on the vote, where residents must decide if they support a 0.5 per cent tax increase to pay the billion-dollar price tag for 10 years’ worth of transit projects.
“Voices of Burnaby Seniors members were not forthcoming on talking about how they will vote on the transit referendum, but they are all concerned about the lack of available transit and concerned about leaving many isolated,” said member Elsie Dean in an email to the NOW. “Voices of Burnaby Seniors has campaigned for better public transportation since 2003, and it still remains high up on the list of unmet needs for a majority of seniors.”
According to Dean, the group invited Burnaby seniors to share their views in a round-table discussion in February, and improved public transportation was high on the list of needs.
Metro Vancouver residents will vote on whether to accept a 0.5 per cent increase to the PST to help fund 10 years’ worth of transit projects put forth by the Mayors’ Council.
Of particular concern to seniors is TransLink’s HandyDART, which offers door-to-door service for people who need help using transit. Seniors have complained of long wait-times (up to hours) and having to book days in advance.
The tax increase, if implemented, would help cover costs associated with expanding HandyDART. The Mayors’ Council plan includes an additional 190,000 annual hours to the service, which reflects a 30 per cent increase to existing service levels.
The Mayors’ Council also proposed splitting HandyDART costs with the provincial government, given the majority of trips are related to health care and social services.
“Seniors who cannot ride buses and SkyTrain were particularly pleased to see that the proposal includes a 30 per cent increase in HandyDART service hours over 10 years, averaging about 2.7 per cent per year,” Dean said.
Even so, some seniors took issue with the tax increase.
“Concerns were expressed about the method of funding. Some considered it an unfair way to tax, because it hits those trying to survive on extremely low retirement incomes. Even adding the price of a cup of coffee or tea is more than they can afford,” Dean added.
The 10-year transit plan would cost $7.5 billion, and additional work would bring the final total to $7.7 billion over 15 years.
The plan also includes building a new Broadway subway line, adding more B-line bus routes and replacing the Pattullo Bridge. Elections B.C. will mail out voting packages to eligible voters, between March 16 and 27. People have until May 29 to return the ballots.
