Victoria Regional Transit Commission wants higher gas tax to pay for more transit

The Victoria Regional Transit Commission wants motorists to pay more at the gas pump to help improve transit services in the capital region.

The commission hasbig plans starting in the2017-2018 budgetto improve transit in Greater Victoria, namely more bus lanes and expanded service.

But with property tax hikes now off the table, the VRTCsays itneeds a way to pay for those improvements.

• Transit referendum: Voters say No to new Metro Vancouver tax, transit improvements
• 2 cent gas tax passed by Metro Vancouver mayors

"We currently get three-and-a-half cents per litre. If we can get an additional two cents, that would provide an additional $6.5 million for us to work with," VRTC commission chair and Saanich councillor Susan Brice told All Points West host Robyn Burns.

Brice says she's confident the province will support the call for a higher gas tax once letters of support from local municipalities show "support from the local community."

She says citizens including drivers should support the gas tax increase because "with an expanded transit service, everyone benefits."

"Obviously, many people don't have any options, they need their car for them it is beneficial in order to prevent congestion on the roads," Brice said.

Brice says if the municipalities don't support the gas tax increase, differentoptions will be considered for service expansion.

To hear the full story, click the audio labelled:Victoria Regional Transit Commission calls for two-cents-a-litre increase on gas tax