B.C. Transit may go under the microscope after a group of concerned B.C. mayors asked the province for an independent review of the Crown corporation.

A breakdown in communication, lack of regional representation in transit issues, and limited funding sources were the crux of the message that several B.C. mayors and municipal staff delivered to Blair Lekstrom, B.C. Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 as much about communications as it is about governance and then funding models,B次元官网网址� Victoria Mayor Dean Fortin said following last WednesdayB次元官网网址檚 meeting in Victoria.

B次元官网网址淚f youB次元官网网址檝e got good communications, youB次元官网网址檝e got good partners.B次元官网网址�

He pointed to B.C. TransitB次元官网网址檚 disclosure last week of property purchases and pricey light-rail reports as examples of poor communication between B.C. Transit management and the Victoria Regional Transit Commission.

In addition to the review, change can be made by putting control of transit in the hands of the Capital Regional District, said Saanich Mayor Frank Leonard, who is buoyed by the ministerB次元官网网址檚 promise that he would respond to their concerns within days.

B.C. Transit was not invited to the meeting, but Joanna Linsangan, B.C. TransitB次元官网网址檚 public relations manager said the Crown corporation will support any decision made by the provincial government regarding transit governance and an independent review.

Lekstrom is also now mulling over a request for local government access to new sources of revenue, such as a new gas tax, to fund transit expenses.

B次元官网网址淎ll we really have to deal with is property taxes,B次元官网网址� said Fortin, who sits on the commission. B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 a pretty blunt hammer in trying to deal with a very expensive situation.

Lekstrom said the group has legitimate concerns.

B次元官网网址淟ocal government is obviously the closest level of government to the people and what theyB次元官网网址檙e saying is, B次元官网网址楲ook, if weB次元官网网址檙e going to be funding part of the system, weB次元官网网址檇 like to have more say in it,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� the minister said, adding he plans to give the group an answer in the short term.

B次元官网网址淲hat IB次元官网网址檝e committed to though is this is not going to drag on for months and months,B次元官网网址� said Lekstrom.

Leonard said he is optimistic the mayorsB次元官网网址� united stand sends a clear message on the need for local control and accountability of B.C. Transit, as well as a review of the transit provider.

B次元官网网址淚f weB次元官网网址檙e standing with our colleagues from around the province, then we have a provincial problem,B次元官网网址� Leonard said.