EDITORIAL: Canada Line surcharge to YVR will be good for cabbies

We’re glad to see the Canada Line has been popular with travellers heading to Vancouver International Airport.

So far, 15 per cent of passengers have hopped aboard the rapid transit train to get to YVR, surpassing Vancouver Airport Authority’s expectations of 10 per cent.

But that could change come January, when users will be dinged an extra $2.50 for travelling onto Sea Island, the island of the airport improvement fee.

For most travellers staying in hotels in downtown Vancouver, $2.50 isn’t going to make a difference.

But for a family of four, that’s an extra $10 (assuming there is no reduced charge for children or seniors). If said family of four lives in Richmond’s City Centre, the cab bill would likely be less than taking the Canada Line.

And if that four lives near Oakridge in Vancouver, where they would already pay extra during rush hour for travelling into a different transit zone, it would cost more than $20 for a rush hour trip to YVR. A cab ride would cost about the same.

The Canada Line is part of TransLink’s three-zone system, where adult users pay $2.50, $3.75 or $5 depending on the number of zones crossed. What’s so special about going to Sea Island that users will have to pay $2.50 more? This is just another gouge of airport users (though it’s of TransLink’s doing) and will set a bad precedent.

And if ridership expectations are already being surpassed, then why the need for a surcharge?

If you think this is a bad idea, the TransLink Commission is accepting comments from the public on the surcharge until Nov. 30. To comment, send an e-mail to comments@translinkcommission.org.

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