2003/04 – 2005/06 SERVICE PLAN Ministry of Transportation

Strategic Context

Ministry Overview

British Columbia’s prosperity depends on the efficient, reliable movement of goods and the mobility of business travellers, employees and visitors. In building and coordinating a complex, multi-modal transportation network, the B.C. Ministry of Transportation (MoT) and its partners promote economic development — reducing congestion costs to business, enhancing the province’s international gateway role, opening up better access to resources, and facilitating tourism.

The ministry’s role is to support B.C.’s regions and industries by working to keep our transportation system cost effective. The ministry is also committed to keeping safety a top priority; to ensuring sound environmental practices in all its activities; and to building positive relations with British Columbia’s many communities.

Highlights of Changes from the Previous Plan

In early 2003, the government approved a three-year capital investment plan for B.C. transportation, extending through the period of this Service Plan — that is, from April 1, 2003 through March 31, 2006. The investment plan contemplates a total investment of $5.5 billion. It will achieve the following:

• improve access to international gateways such as Vancouver International Airport (YVR), seaports and border crossings;
• improve the reliability of major trade corridors to support the B.C. economy;
• improve safety on public highways through projects such as Kicking Horse Canyon and Sea-to-Sky Highway;
• allocate significant additional investment towards reversing the deterioration of road access to resources that are vital to the economy, as well as access for northern and rural residents;
• complement the 2010 Olympic bid; and
• enhance safety and protect our investment in B.C. highways.

The plan addresses confirmed or potential investment in the highway system and related infrastructure, gateway infrastructure, community and regional airports, and major public transit infrastructure. Investment in provincially owned rail infrastructure and local public transit are to be delivered through separate service plans.

The three-year investment plan will be supported, in part, through a new set of transportation investment partnerships with the federal government, and by an additional 3.5 cents per litre of provincial motor fuel tax effective March 1, 2003.

Eight regional transportation advisory committees are to be in operation across B.C. by March 2003. They will be invited to offer advice and input during the annual planning processes on transportation investment at the regional level, as well as bringing forward regional economic development and partnering opportunities and providing feedback on general transportation issues.

Work has commenced on a long-term strategic framework, intended to identify potential new efficiencies and points of integration across B.C.’s transportation system. This initiative is to be complete by March 31, 2004.

BC Ferries, which currently operates as a taxpayer-supported Crown corporation, will be restructured into an independent company under the BC Company Act and will be renamed British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. The British Columbia Ferry Authority, an oversight body modeled along the lines of the successful Vancouver International Airport Authority, will govern the new operating company. An independent regulator will be appointed to regulate rates and protect consumers’ interests.

For this Service Plan, the ministry has realigned its goals, objectives, strategies and performance measures to better reflect its business, its relationships with partners and stakeholders, and its long-term financing strategy.

Planning Context

Each year, the ministry surveys the business environment to identify the pressures, challenges and opportunities that may affect the services it provides. The following are key features of the current environment.

• The government is committed to creating the conditions for increased business and industrial activity to power economic growth. However, many of B.C.’s key transportation facilities, as well as transportation governance and investment models, are outdated. With a new transportation investment plan for 2003-06, and direction from the government to build new partnerships to deliver infrastructure, the ministry will play an effective role in advancing economic development in B.C.
• Major safety improvements to the Sea-to-Sky highway corridor are required. A successful 2010 Olympic bid would advance the need to schedule these improvements by two years, in order to support the Winter Games and the resulting economic activity.
• Other levels of government as well as stakeholder groups are showing increasing interest in B.C. transportation issues. For the first time in more than a generation, the federal government is taking part in programs to improve major trade corridors and international gateways, and is considering support for the revitalization of major cities and for the 2010 Olympics. Local governments and industry have joined in a long-term advisory process that will influence regional transportation investments and programs.
• There is now a consensus among industries and government agencies that British Columbia’s prosperity depends on improving access to our international transportation gateways. These gateways, including seaports, international airports and major highway corridors, operate in competition with other jurisdictions on the west coast of North America, and maximizing their efficiency is key to B.C.’s competitiveness.
• The resource industries that sustain B.C.’s regions are entering a new era of opportunity. The need for reliable resource road access for these industries will be a prime consideration as the ministry and its partners set annual investment priorities.

Vision

The vision of the Ministry of Transportation is a fully integrated transportation system that advances economic and social growth, and moves goods and people within British Columbia and to markets beyond.

Mission

The mission of the Ministry of Transportation is to:

• create an integrated transportation network that incorporates all modes of transport, reflects regional priorities, and provides a strong foundation for economic growth; and
• maintain and improve the provincial highway system, ensuring the safe and efficient movement of people and goods provincially, nationally and internationally.

Values

• We respect regional and community goals and priorities.
• We are responsive to the needs of British Columbia business.
• We strive for excellence and innovation.
• We respect the people we serve and work with.