The Surrey Board of Trade does not agree with an increased toll price on the Golden Ears Bridge, which went up July 15.
TransLink says the increase covers the rise in the Consumer Price Index of approximately 3.5 per cent and the increase will range between five and 30 cents, depending on the size of the vehicle and type of account.
The Golden Ears Bridge, a connector between Surrey/Langley and Maple Ridge, is meant to serve as an easier access route for goods and people to be moved expediently. The Surrey Board of Trade recommends a regional road pricing policy be established, with the aim of implementing lower tolls, but spread across the region.
All funds would go to infrastructure development and maintenance and/or operating funds for public transportation.
Tolling/pricing (applied regionally) could be varied on different routes, at different times of day/night, to encourage or direct traffic in a more efficient use of roads.
An increased tolling price on the Golden Ear’s Bridge is not needed on a bridge that currently is not being used to its fullest potential by drivers. Any further increase does not make sense and will further restrict usage of the bridge, and as a result will restrict economic impact to communities on either side of the bridge.
Anita Patil Huberman
CEO, Surrey Board of Trade