Nearly 70 per cent of Gabriolans have voted in favour of increased taxation to pay for continuation of a community bus system on the island.
Gabriola’s Environmentally Responsible Trans-Island Express (GERTIE) received federal gas tax dollars through a three-year pilot project, but with that money set to end in June, electors were asked to approve funding the service with a referendum on Saturday.
Declaration of official results of #GabriolaIsland #transit referendum, courtesy @RDNanaimo. #bcpoli pic.twitter.com/tirzcbCsG7
— Karl Yu (@KarlYuBulletin) February 18, 2016
Of the total 1,390 votes cast, 930 (66.9 per cent) voted in favour of providing tax dollars for transit, while 460 voters voiced dissent.
With a mandate to continue with service, the trans-island express will receive $136,000 a year, with $6,000 going to the Regional District of Nanaimo for administrative costs, said Howard Houle, regional district director for the Gabriola Island area.
Steve Earle, trans-island express spokesman, said he was hoping for a stronger majority, but is still pleased with the results. Part of the money will go to pay drivers.
“Up until now, all the driving has been done by volunteers, so we’ll pay drivers from now on,” said Earle. “We’ve had a paid coordinator, but we’ll be able to provide more time for that.”
The service will operate the same in June, said Earle. Future plans could include adding buses to the fleet and more hours of service, he said.
Houle requested a report on transit funding options back in June and said B.C. Transit couldn’t provide service hours. It is an option that will be examined should service hours become available in the future, he said.
“If B.C. Transit does come up with hours, we’d certainly look at it,” said Houle.
He said money for transit will remain the same unless an adjustment is made to account for cost of living.
According to Jacquie Hill, chief electoral officer, 37.8 per cent of the electorate turned out to vote.