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“If it can overcome the political hurdles, well-designed mobility pricing — implemented with complementary policies and public investments — could be an important part of managing congestion and accelerating the shift away from vehicle dependency.”

The report is by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. Lee is a senior economist with the centre’s B.C. office.

In Metro Vancouver, the Mobility Pricing Independent Commission was formed in June, 2017 to look at some form of mobility pricing for the region. After public consultation, the commission issued a report in January saying that it is looking at two options: charging drivers for each kilometre driven and tolling congestion points such as bridges. A recommendation from the commission is expected in a few weeks, according to Lee’s report.

Between 2001 and 2016 the number of registered vehicles grew by 37 per cent in Metro (not including Squamish, Abbotsford and Chilliwack); population growth during that same period was 22 per cent.

“The perception … that drivers fully pay for their rides is false,” Lee says in the report.

Public costs include building and maintaining roads and bridges, policing, subsidies for fuel production, and parking as well as external costs such as air pollution and noise account for about 40 per cent of the total cost of driving by car and truck. In Metro Vancouver, that public subsidy amounts to about $3.5 billion.

Whatever method of mobility pricing the independent eventually recommends, the report says that it “is likely to fail if it is perceived to be unfair.”