VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – With the federal government willing to make a big contribution, now is the time to invest in our transit system, argue more than 30 groups and individuals.

They’re making their case in an open letter to the premier and local mayors, suggesting with the feds offering to pay half the costs of major transit projects, this is the best time for the province and mayors to find a way to come up with the rest of the money.

Charles Gauthier speaks for the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association, one of the groups to sign the letter.

“There’s an opportunity here now with the new federal Liberal government with the funding that’s available to meet the demand that’s out and there and move ensure that the region can move forward,” says Gauthier. “Congestion is costing all of us.”

Other groups signing include the BC Federation of Labour and the David Suzuki Foundation.

“We are writing to urge you to act quickly and take advantage of the opportunity afforded by the recent federal budget to improve transit and transportation in our region,” reads a portion of the letter. “As you know, in its budget, the federal government made a commitment to a $370 million ‘down payment’ toward the 10-year Metro Vancouver Transit and Transportation Plan. The federal government has also shown tremendous leadership by agreeing to pay 50 per cent of all capital transit costs provided agreements can be struck with the province and local mayors.

Funding transit has been a big talking point here, with people in our region voting against a new half-a-percent sales tax to pay the municipal portion of costs last summer.