If you’ve been keeping up to date on TransLink funding issues, you’d know that the regional transportation authority has proposed a number of transportation enhancements as part of the Moving Forward: Improving Metro Vancouver’s Transportation Network Supplemental Plan and Outlook. The plan includes an increase in service hours, improvements to stations, roads, bridges and cycling infrastructure, andthe Evergreen SkyTrain Line. It received a strong public endorsement when first introduced last year.

As part of the consultation, which includes the webinar in July, we’re looking for your feedback on which funding sources should support these improvements. The following in-person workshops are open to the public to ask questions, participate in round-table discussions and fill out a questionnaire:

• Wednesday, September 7, 2011 – Lonsdale Quay Hotel
  123 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver – 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

• Thursday, September 8, 2011 – Holiday Inn Metrotown
  Salon E – 4405 Central Blvd, Burnaby – 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

• Wednesday, September 14, 2011 – Guildford Recreation Centre
  Multi-purpose Room, 15105 105 Ave., Surrey – 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

• September 15, 2011 – Evergreen Cultural Centre, Studio A – 1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam – 6:30 – 8:30 p.m

So, if you’ve read this far, I bet you’re wondering what are the next steps. Well, after seperate September consultations with the Mayor’s Council on Regional Transportation, Metro Vancouver Board of Directors and elected officials from across Metro Vancouver municipalities, TransLink’s Board of Directors will vote on the Supplemental Plan. In October, the Independent Regional Transportation Commissioner will report on the reasonableness of Moving Forward. Next, the Mayor’s Council on Regional Transportation is expected to vote on the plan. If Moving Forward is approved, the provincial government is expected to introduce legislation to give TransLink two cents/litre of motor fuel tax, which would go into effect April 1, 2012.