5.2 Federal Gas Tax Program Transportation Committee May 7, 2014
Federal Gas Tax Transfer Program Original head agreement signed in 2005 (Canada-BC-UBCM) Purpose: provide local governments with stable, predictable, and long-term funding for infrastructure that meet both infrastructure needs and sustainability objectives Intended Outcomes: reduced GHG, cleaner air, cleaner water
Strategic Priorities Fund Agreement Signed in 2006 (UBCM-GVRD-TransLink) Pool and direct 100% of gas tax funds allocated to the region to TransLink for the development of public transit Eligible costs: capital costs; professional fees; environmental assessments TransLink must retain title to, and ownership of, the infrastructure resulting from the gas tax funded project for at least 10 years after project completion.
Criteria Investment in public transit Consistency with TransLink s strategic plan Encouragement for projects that maximize progress towards the program outcomes (GHG, clean air, clean water) In addition, Metro Vancouver staff review for alignment with Metro 2040 and environmental objectives.
Federal Gas Tax Renewal Negotiations underway to establish renewal agreements with provinces and territories MV Board has indicated to Province and UBCM a preferred distribution formula, approval authority, and definition of eligible projects for use of gas tax funds in the region Actual provisions unknown (e.g. rollover of unspent or unallocated funds in current agreement to new agreement)
5.3 & 5.4 Proposed TransLink Projects for Federal Gas Tax Funding Transportation Committee May 7, 2014
Ownership of SkyTrain and West Coast Express
5.3 Year 9 is the last funded year of the current federal gas tax agreement Five projects requesting Year 9 funds
A. 2016 Conventional Bus Replacement B. 2017 Conventional Bus Replacement Purpose: to replace aging buses 2016: 26 60-ft hybrid buses 2017: 54 40-ft buses, 52 60-ft buses, tech TBD TransLink intends to issue RFP in summer 2014 for multi-year bus orders; leverage buying power for better pricing and ensure placement in manufacturer s schedule Actual release of funds in Q1 2015 and Q1 2016 for the 2016 and 2017 bus orders, respectively
C. Trolley Overhead Rectifier Replacement - Metrotown Replace three trolley overhead rectifier stations in Metrotown (installed in 1987) Initiation: June 2014 Staged completion: 2015, 2016, 2017 Note: next scheduled trolley overhead rectifier replacements elsewhere in system 2018-2021
D. Automated Train Control Equipment Replacement Current equipment is 29 years old Directly affects Expo Line, but any system/ equipment failure will also affect the Millennium Line, especially at junctions Initiation: Q2 2014
E. Surrey Transit Centre CNG Facility Retrofit Retrofit transit centre to allow for fueling and maintenance of 100+ CNG buses 2012 Surrey Council resolution requests TransLink to purchase CNG buses for all new buses in the City Initiation: Q2 2014
Staff Review Investments in public transit Projects generally support Metro 2040 and the Board s air quality and greenhouse gas objectives Projects are in line with TransLink s current strategic plan emphasizing state of good repair Recommendation: That the GVRD Board endorse the projects in TransLink s application for federal gas tax funding.
5.4 Three projects seeking funding from Year 9 and/or unspent money from prior years
A. West Coast Express Rail Cars Buyout Two leases for 28 WCE rail cars; expiring 2015 and 2016 Annual lease payments $10M-$13M in recent years 3 rd party appraiser to be retained in 2014 and market appraisal conducted in 2015 TransLink can exercise option to purchase new rail cars; delivery would be fall 2017, leaving a service gap of ~18 months
B. Additional Funding for Compass Card Bus Upgrades Cost driver: complexity of technology to enable farecard readers on buses to communicate with the central computing system $22.6M in federal gas tax funding approved in Year 6 (2010/2011) Additional $5.5M requested from unspent funds in Year 6 Federal gas tax funds directed towards bus element only in overall faregates project; Building Canada Fund directed to station upgrades
C. Additional Funding for Hamilton Transit Centre - Richmond New transit centre to house existing fleet and accommodate future growth Original budget: $110M; updated in 2010 to $125.4M; updated in late 2013 to $137M (to accommodate CNG infrastructure) $78.2M in federal gas tax funds approved in Year 7 (2011/2012) Additional $6.8M requested from unspent funds in Year 7; current application does not include the CNG scope Remaining balance to be paid for through TransLink s existing capital program funds.
Staff Review Recommendation: That the GVRD Board endorse the projects in TransLink s application for federal gas tax funding.
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