Optimism is surging in Greater Victoria in the wake of the provinceB次元官网网址檚 recent promise to create a two-cent-per-litre Metro Vancouver gas tax that would help pay for a rapid-transit line there.

Members of the Victoria Regional Transit Commission say it's a promising development as they look for ways to fund a light rail line between downtown Victoria and Langford.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 encouraging,B次元官网网址� said Victoria Mayor Dean Fortin. B次元官网网址淚t is my hope that the provincial government allows us to bring in a gas tax as soon as possible.

"That, over the next five years, will give us about $50 million," he said. B次元官网网址淭hat will (give us) a strong portion of the $250 million we need for our portion of (a partial build-out of) the LRT.B次元官网网址�

At a June meeting between B.C.'s transportation minister and commission members, Fortin asked Blair Lekstrom that an additional 3.5 cents a litre paid at Capital Region pumps be directed into an LRT capital infrastructure reserve fund, which doesnB次元官网网址檛 yet exist.

The Victoria commission currently receives 3.5 cents a litre at the pumps to pay for transit operations.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e got to start saving for this future rail, and itB次元官网网址檒l lessen the impact of anything we have to borrow,B次元官网网址� Fortin said.

At the meeting, Lekstrom said he would consider a request for an additional carbon tax, and possibly a new gas tax, but "I think we have to be very careful when people talk about new revenue sources,B次元官网网址� said Saanich Mayor Frank Leonard, who also sits on the transit commission.

Considering the cost, taxpayers should be allowed to weigh in on the issue in a November referendum, Leonard said, adding that the question can't be developed unless the local share of the project is known.

But some Victoria residents say the gas tax is a "very prudent" approach, said Fortin, adding that motorists will also benefit from the LRT because it will reduce congestion.

The gas tax is so far the preferred choice to pay for the project since no one is in any hurry to raise municipal property taxes, said commission member and Victoria Coun. John Luton.

B次元官网网址淓verybodyB次元官网网址檚 feeling the weight of property taxes, particularly businesses B次元官网网址� who pay a multiple of that B次元官网网址� bristle at the idea of more (taxes) to pay for whatever transit project goes forward," Luton said.

emccracken@vicnews.com