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Pri¢ing
(defining)
Terms
You've probably seen many phrases being thrown out there. Many of them don't seem super obvious. Let's use the information below to understand these terms better.
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user pricing
cordon pricing
transport pricing
mobility pricing
road pricing
congestion pricing
network pricing
corridor pricing
Definition + Clarity
Mobility
Pricing
this is a really broad term that's used to refer to different things
Transit Fares
fuel costs
parking fees
car / bike share fees
road / bridge tolls
car insurance
ride-hailing / taxi fares
congestion pricing
This important concept...
these terms refer to all the ways a user would pay to get around
Charging vehicles a fee for using the road network
...goes by many names that are often used interchangeably
Congestion Pricing
Road Pricing
Transport Pricing
Mobility
Pricing
no matter what we call it, this concept is based on the User-Pays Principle.
User-Pays
Principle?
This is a principle within Mobility Pricing that relates to how we pay/price. A user pays for how much they use the mobility network.
This can be applied through a blunt mechanism (e.g. 3 zone transit fares, annual insurance costs, fuel costs), or in ways where the price is more reflective of the use (e.g. distance-based insurance and transit fares, road usage charges).
Why do we price mobility?
- Pay for Operations + Maintenance
- Raise revenue
- Generate Profit (private sector)
- Manage the mobility system
Issues with Existing Pricing Methods
01
In recent years, we have separated how much we use from how much we pay. That is, our usage is not as reflective of the costs, as it once was. Sometimes, we use blunt mechanisms to price mobility.
Let's look at an example of this
zone 1
zone 2
Say you were on the SkyTrain going from Station A to Station B
stn
A
stn
B
5 km
$$
Since you crossed the zone boundary, you would be charged a two-zone fare of $4.35 (cash) or $3.55 (Compass card), even though you only travelled one stop.
zone 1
$
stn
A
stn
B
10 km
But, if you travelled one stop in the same zone, you would only be charged $3.05 (cash) or $2.45 (Compass Card), even if the distance you travelled was twice as long.
This blunt mechanism of 'cut-off points' evidently does not reflect how much one actually uses the system.
02
Often, current pricing mechanisms do not capture all users of the system.
For example, the fuel tax does not apply to electric vehicles, but these vehicles still add to congestion on the road network. Current pricing misses that.
03
We currently do not pay for many indirect costs of mobility, like...
Congestion
Noise
Greenhouse
Gases
Crashes
Implementing a solution to address these indirect costs on society is normally covered under what's known as the User Cost Principle.
User Cost
Principle?
This is a principle within Mobility Pricing that relates to how much one contributes to indirect costs on society like congestion.
Under this concept, a user would pay in proportion to how much they contribute.
Making sense of
The Systems
There are three types of Road Pricing systems:
Area / Cordon System
A fee is charged for driving into or within a defined boundary area.
You probably saw this in the news coverage about Vancouver's proposal.
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Corridor System
This system charges a set fee for using a road, bridge, or tunnel to pay for that piece of infrastructure.
The former tolling system on the Port Mann bridge is an example of this.
Network System
This system charges a fee for the use of roads over the entire mobility network, typically measured in terms of distance travelled.
Oregon was studying implementing this system for cars of certain fuel efficiency.
Metro Vancouver
(a brief history)
Metro Van
Road Pricing has been discussed many times over the previous decades and features in many regional plans. In some plans, it's been envisioned in a package of other mobility pricing measures.
1993
yeah, we've been talking about doing this for a while.
Use the tool below to learn more. You can download all documents mentioned here in the Resources section.
In 2017, The Mayors' Council on Regional Transportation and TransLink's board set up a Mobility Pricing Independent Commission to study if a pricing system could be implemented in Metro Van to manage congestion, promote fairness, and support investment.
The City of Vancouver approved the Transportation 2040 plan for Vancouver that covers a multi-modal mobility and access improvements throughout the city. Transit financing was also mentioned with 'road pricing' and other mobility pricing tools endorsed.
2017/18
2013
Moving in Metro was hosted by Moving in a Livable Region and the SFU Morris J Wosk Centre for Dialogue to engage the community on 'road pricing' in Metro Vancouver. Community dialogues were held in Fall 2013 with a regional summit in Nov 2013. Final reports were released in Feb 2014.
1993
Metro Vancouver (then Greater Vancouver Regional District) and the Province of BC released Transport 2021: A Long-Range Transportation Plan for Greater Vancouver which endorsed 'road pricing' to reduce congestion, accurately signal user costs, and raise revenue for transportation improvements.
2012
2011
Metro Vancouver released Metro Vancouver 2040: Shaping Our Future, its Regional Growth Strategy. the strategy requested action of other governments and agencies; in the transportation sector, it calls for the implementation of demand management measures such as user-based pricing.
2014/18
In 2014, the Mayors' Council on Regional Transportation released its 10 Year Vision. The Vision outlined funding mechanisms that would help pay for the investments in transportation infrastructure in Metro Vancouver, including mobility pricing.
Goals + Concerns
(let's balance)
Goals + Concerns
goals
we need to act on our GHG footprint
we need to support our growth with infrastructure
we need to de-congest roads + shift modes of travel
concerns
the money should have specific, transparent use
we need to be fair in how we will implement pricing
pricing needs to solve issues rather than replace them
COVID shifted the need for a commute; what now?
Goals
Concerns
People's
Lives
(understanding impact)
Scroll over to explore.
Fairness + Equity
Who are the
People Who
Move?
Click the yellow buttons to take a look at some of the different residents in the region and how their mobility needs are affected by regional decisions.
Please note that this list is not meant to be exhaustive. We cycle through different examples frequently.
The People in the Region
(around the world)
Examples
Road Pricing is not a made-in-BC concept. It is already in place, or being studied, in many places around the world, and we can learn from these examples.
Global Examples
Interactive
Map
North America
Europe
Asia
(unpacking)
Vancouver
You've probably seen the new proposals from the City of Vancouver with the map of an outlined portion of the city centre along with the term 'mobility pricing' or 'transport pricing'. Let's clear some things up.
Vancouver's Proposal
(super quick)
The Facts
01
Transport Pricing is NOT being implemented in Vancouver just yet.
02
A feasibility study will be undertaken and update back to Council in 2022.
03
City staff will consult with stakeholders, including residents, on the strategy.
05
The City states that equity will be one of the key considerations of the work.
04
Collaboration with regional and provincial partners will take place.
06
Vancouver uses the term 'Transport Pricing' to refer to charging a road use fee.
(some details)
City Plans
2021-2022
2023
2024
Stakeholder engagement on interests and priorities including impacts of COVID-19 and equity considerations.
Council update on findings.
Develop feasible transport pricing options that include potential boundaries and pricing. Engage public to discuss impacts, mitigation, and opportunities. Council decision to move forward and refine recommended option.
Refine transport pricing strategy with further stakeholder input. Council decision to move forward and implement transport pricing in Vancouver.
Explore
Develop
Refine
2026
Implement
If approved, transport pricing will be implemented
(from the City)
Reasons
The City wants to reduce traffic during congested times to make other modes of travel more reliable
They want to create more road space for transit and active transportation (i.e. walking + cycling)
They want the revenue from transport pricing to be invested in transit and walking + cycling to increase access
Vancouver is only going to get more crowded; they want to ensure that we can support the demand
They want to address pollution from vehicles and the contribution of GHG emissions from cars to climate change
(following up)
From the
Dialogues
During our local community dialogues across Metro Vancouver, we were excited to receive a variety of questions and requests for further information. We have created this section to provide those resources. We're constantly updating this section, so keep an eye out!
Frequently
Asked
(more info)
Resources
Here are the resources we could get our hands on, including archives of our own work engaging the public on this issue back in 2013. We'll update this section as much as possible.
Resources
(browse through)
Collection
Documents
Videos
2013
Moving in Metro Summit
2018
SFU City Program
(current news)
Media
CBC
News
"Mobility Pricing for Vancouver not going anywhere without more political support"
News
1130
"Vancouver proposes mobility pricing for city streets"
Vancouver Is Awesome
"Mobility Pricing in Vancouver: Port Coquitlam, BC mayor says it's bad policy"
Business in Vancouver
"Mobility Pricing shouldn't be off the table, says TransLink CEO"
(chime in)
Feedback
You're going to hear a lot from interested parties in the media about whether this is a good idea. No system is perfect, but our challenges aren't going to disappear and some solutions are better than others.
Provide Feedback
Let's hear
Your Views
How familiar do you feel with the concept of mobility pricing?
1
Completely
Unfamiliar
Extremely
Familiar
Do you believe that a User Pays principle is an ideal way to price mobility?
Do you currently depend on a vehicle for daily activities?
Do you have concerns with charging a fee for vehicles using the road network? Tell us what they are below.
Please ensure that you do not share any personally identifying or private information (including contact information) on this form. If you would like to contact us directly with questions or information you would like to share, please email cfd_mlr@sfu.ca. Your responses are collected anonymously and will be used for research purposes. These responses may also be shared publicly, with MLR stakeholders, and/or other partners.
Which part of the region do you live in?
Would you be interested in joining regional dialogues on mobility pricing?
What information about this topic would you like to learn more about or understand better?
Please ensure that you do not share any personally identifying or private information (including contact information) on this form. If you would like to contact us directly with questions or information you would like to share, please email cfd_mlr@sfu.ca. Your responses are collected anonymously and will be used for research purposes. These responses may also be shared publicly, with MLR stakeholders, and/or other partners.
Feedback submitted
Thank You
If you would like to contact us directly, please email cfd_mlr@sfu.ca
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