A referendum on transportation funding probably won't happen until the end of March next year and will most likely be a mail-in ballot with a question around road pricing.

Richard Walton, chairman of the mayors' council on regional transportation, said while the mayors and province are still hammering out a referendum question, a regional carbon tax and mobility pricing — such as tolling all the bridges — are still on the table as potential funding sources. A small sales tax or vehicle levy are also being considered.

A question is expected to be devised by Sept. 20, he added, but it will have to approved by the provincial government.

Walton, who is also mayor of North Vancouver District, said the referendum will be a tough sell, noting a similar referendum in Los Angeles passed by 67 per cent but that city had 32 months to prepare.

By comparison, Metro Vancouver will have just six months to get the public and province to support new funding sources to expand transit across the region.

Walton said the mayors want to have a referendum in March to ensure university students, many of whom are transit riders, are involved in the vote. As for drivers, the mayors hope to press home the point that "if we get more people onto transit and out of their cars, you'll free up road capacity."

The provincial government has said the mayors' council must hold a referendum on any new sources for transportation funding in the region. At the moment, TransLink can use fares, property taxes or the gas tax for transit projects.

ksinoski@vancouversun.com

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