The federal
Gas Tax Fund (GTF) is a permanent source of funding provided to provinces and territories to support local government infrastructure priorities. Municipalities can pool, bank and borrow against this funding, providing significant financial flexibility.
The
Greater Vancouver Regional Fund (GVRF) pools 95% of the Metro Vancouver Regional District and its member municipalities’ per capita allocation of the GTF to support regional transportation projects proposed and delivered by TransLink (the remaining 5% is allocated proportionally to member municipalities). Metro Vancouver is responsible for the review and approval of proposals from TransLink for funding. The Union of British Columbia Municipalities administers the federal Gas Tax Fund in British Columbia and transfers the funds to TransLink upon formal notification by the MVRD Board.
The MVRD Board’s
Federal Gas Tax Fund Expenditures Policy sets out the application process, information requirements, and evaluation criteria for TransLink to follow. As per this policy, Metro Vancouver will post TransLink’s proposals and semi-annual reports, and MVRD Board decisions on this webpage.
Federal Gas Tax Fund Expenditures Policy - May 27, 2016 (revised February 28, 2020)
Projects Approved for Funding by Metro Vancouver
Since 2005, the federal Gas Tax Fund has committed approximately $1.2 billion to TransLink for eligible transportation projects (as at June 30, 2018). Recent projects follow:
Recent MVRD Board Decisions |
TransLink Application and MV Staff Evaluation |
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October 26, 2018 – the MVRD Board approved $142.10 million in GVRF funds to TransLink for 154 expansion and replacement transit vehicles. |
TransLink Application October 4, 2018
MV Staff Report |
March 23, 2018 – the MVRD Board approved a scope change to one project approved on October 27 2017. There was no change to the previously approved GVRF funding amount. |
TransLink Application February 21, 2018
MV Staff Report |
|
October 27, 2017 – the MVRD Board approved $121.15 million for seven projects comprising expansion and replacement transit vehicles. |
TransLink Application September 22, 2017
MV Staff Report |
July 28, 2017 – the MVRD Board approved scope changes and $24.21 million in additional GVRF funds to TransLink for three projects approved in 2016. The scope changes involved the purchase of conventional CNG and hybrid buses, rather than conventional diesel buses. |
TransLink Application June 26, 2017
MV Staff Report |
April 28, 2017 – the MVRD Board approved $121.28 million in GVRF funds to TransLink for six projects comprising expansion transit fleet vehicles, four battery electric buses for a pilot program, and equipment for deferred retirement of transit vehicles. |
TransLink Application April 6, 2017
MV Staff Report |
September 23, 2016 – the MVRD Board approved $127.18 million in GVRF funds to TransLink for nine projects comprising replacement transit fleet vehicles only (84 community shuttles, 75 HandyDART vehicles, and 238 conventional buses). |
TransLink Application September 1, 2016
MV Staff Report |
TransLink Semi-Annual Reports
TransLink provides the MVRD Board semi‐annual reports on projects that have received funding through the GVRF.
TransLink Semi-Annual Report as at June 30, 2018
TransLink Semi-Annual Report as at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2017 (combined)
TransLink Semi-Annual Report as at December 31, 2016
Eligible Projects
The eligible projects that TransLink can propose for GVRF funding are:
- Local roads and bridges, including active transportation infrastructure, and
- Public transit
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EVALUATION CRITERIA
Metro Vancouver reviews TransLink’s proposals against two types of criteria. Screening criteria are mandatory requirements. Integrated criteria allow for a qualitative assessment of the proposed projects based on high priority objectives of the region and the federal Gas Tax Fund (see the Application Guide for more information about all other information requirements).
Criterion |
Description |
Assessment |
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Screening Criteria |
Eligible Project Category | Local roads and bridges, including active transportation, OR public transit | Meets criterion |
Eligible Expenses | As set out in the 2014 Administrative Agreement. | Meets criterion |
Plan Consistency | Projects must be consistent with TransLink’s existing Capital Plan and future
10-Year Investment Plan, as well as the
Mayors’ Council Transportation and Transit Plan,
Metro 2040: Shaping our Future, and the
Regional Transportation Strategy. | Meets criterion |
Corporate Policies | Projects must be consistent with applicable TransLink policies such as sustainability, environmental responsibility, emissions, and infrastructure. | Meets criterion |
Integrated Criteria: Regional Growth Strategy |
Supports the Regional Growth Strategy | The degree to which the project assists in achieving the five goals in
Metro 2040. | Poor/Good/Excellent |
Urban Centres and Frequent Transit Development Areas | Where applicable, the project is located in, or demonstrates tangible benefits to, the overall performance of
Urban Centres and Frequent Transit Development Areas. | Poor/Good/Excellent |
Integrated Criteria: Transportation Performance |
Headline Targets | Demonstrates tangible beneficial effects on vehicle kilometres travelled and/or walk/cycle/transit mode share. | Poor/Good/Excellent |
Other Transportation Outcomes | Demonstrates tangible beneficial effects on vehicle congestion, transit passenger congestion, transit ridership, and/or transportation safety for the duration of the project. | Poor/Good/Excellent |
Integrated Criteria: Regional Environmental Objectives |
Supports the Integrated Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Management Plan | Contributes to the achievement of one or more goals in the
Integrated Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Management Plan. | Poor/Good/Excellent |
Measurable Beneficial Effects | Demonstrates tangible beneficial effects on
greenhouse gas and common air contaminant emissions from on-road transportation sources for the duration of the project. | Poor/Good/Excellent |
Integrated Criteria: Economic Development |
Supports Regional Prosperity | Contributes to a regional transportation system that moves people and goods and aligns with regional prosperity. | Poor/Good/Excellent |
Measurable Beneficial Effects | Tangible beneficial effects on the movement of people and/or goods for the duration of the project. | Poor/Good/Excellent |