New Westminster, BC – New Westminster City Council has endorsed a perspective paper on regional mobility pricing supporting the work of the Metro Vancouver Mobility Pricing Independent Commission (MVMPIC). The Mobility Pricing Independent Commission was created by the Mayor’s Council and the TransLink Board of Directors to provide recommendations on regional transportation and key matters related to mobility pricing in Metro Vancouver. In response to the work undertaken by the MVMPIC, New Westminster City staff have prepared a perspective paper summarizing the City’s considerations and position on the topic of mobility pricing and decongestion pricing, as well as key issues and concerns that are important for the city.

The Mobility Pricing Independent Commission recently launched the It’s Time public engagement and research initiative to explore decongestion charging as part of a plan for the future of transportation in Metro Vancouver. The Commission is guided by three key objectives: reducing traffic congestion on roads and bridges; promoting fairness; and supporting transportation investment in Metro Vancouver for all users.

“New Westminster’s objective is to contribute constructively to the process set out by the Mobility Pricing Independent Commission and bring forward considerations reflecting the current and future needs of our city,” said Mayor Jonathan X. Coté. “New Westminster continues to support and facilitate thoughtful use of available road space, and regional mobility pricing can be used as a tool to support more sustainable modes of transportation.”

Through the City of New Westminster’s Official Community Plan (2017), Master Transportation Plan (2015), and Envision 2032 (2013), the City has outlined a vision for a multi-modal transportation system to support the development of a compact, sustainable, and resilient community to meet the city’s needs into the future.

“The work of the Metro Vancouver Mobility Pricing Independent Commission aligns with the vision, goals, and strategies outlined in the City of New Westminster’s Master Transportation Plan,” said Lisa Leblanc, Manager of Transportation. “We want to create an even more walkable, transit-oriented city that enhances safety and livability while also recognizing the importance of facilitating vehicle and goods movement.”

The City of New Westminster’s perspective paper will be shared with the Mobility Pricing Independent Commission and others interested in learning more about the City’s perspective on the issue of mobility pricing and decongestion charges. A final report summarizing the work of the Commission and the resulting recommendations is anticipated at the end of April 2018.

New Westminster’s perspective paper on mobility pricing is available at www.newwestcity.ca

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Contact:

Lisa Leblanc
Manager of Transportation
City of New Westminster
604-515-3786 or