XPost: bc.politics, van.general, vic.general   
      
   One lie after another.  Look forward to a massive Liberal MLA recall in the   
   Fall.   
   _________________________________   
      
   B.C. misleading on Port Mann tolls: NDP   
   Last Updated: Wednesday, June 9, 2010 |   
      
   The B.C. NDP is accusing the B.C. Liberals of misleading the public regarding   
   the cost of   
   tolls on the new Port Mann Bridge, which the Opposition party says are going   
   to be about   
   66 per cent higher than the provincial government has said.   
   Since 2007, B.C.'s Minister of Transportation and Premier Gordon Campbell have   
   said the   
   tolls would be about $3 on opening day.   
      
   Documents obtained under an NDP Freedom of Information request indicate the   
   toll will be   
   $5.15 per crossing for cars not carrying a transponder or not paying the bill   
   online   
   within 48 hours.   
      
   A page on the B.C. government Website Wednesday still said the toll, "is   
   expected to be   
   about $3.00 each way for cars."   
      
   The NDP said it's more evidence of a government that won't be straight with   
   the public.   
      
   "The government has been breaking promises time and time again," said NDP MLA   
   Harry Bains.   
   "They say one thing before the election and they do quite the opposite after."   
      
   The documents the NDP obtained say that for cars with a transponder device,   
   which   
   electronically bills car owners every time they use the bridge, the toll cost   
   is $2.85.   
      
   Government cites surcharge   
   B.C. Transportation Minister Shirley Bond said the extra cost is a surcharge   
   the   
   government is charging for those drivers who don't pay quickly enough. The   
   charge covers   
   the cost of the government electronically seeking out and billing those   
   drivers.   
      
   The tolls for small trucks with a transponder or paying within 48 hours will   
   be $5.70 and   
   without a transponder will be $8. Motorcycles with a transponder or paying   
   within 48 hours   
   will be charged $1.45 or $3.75 without one.   
      
   There are no toll booths on the bridge and the tolls will increase by 2.5% per   
   year.   
      
   Construction of the ten-lane, $2.46B bridge connecting Coquitlam and Surrey   
   across the   
   Fraser River began in February 2009. It is scheduled to be completed in 2013.   
      
   The project is entirely financed by the B.C. government.    (ie:  the   
   taxpayers of BC)   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)