Ministry Role and Services

Vision, Mission and Values

Vision

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

Mission

The mission of the Ministry of Transportation is to:

• create an integrated and safe 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.

Ministry Values at Work

The ministry's values play an important role in guiding its everyday work.

The Regional Transportation Advisory Committees were established to make sure the ministry was kept up to date on community priorities. The ministry responded to the needs of business by cutting regulatory requirements by over forty per cent. Excellence and innovation are now actively rewarded under the new contracts for maintaining British Columbia's roads and bridges. To make sure the ministry treats its employees and customers with the respect they deserve, their opinions and ideas for improvement are solicited regularly. As described in the Ministry's First Nations Consultation Guidelines, we build relationships with First Nations regarding activities and decisions that might impact aboriginal interests.

Whenever ministry staff develops new policies, designs new projects or reviews past accomplishments, these values are the benchmark for success.

Ministry Overview, Core Business Areas and Structure

Ministry Overview

The Ministry of Transportation plans transportation networks, provides transportation services, develops and implements transportation policies, and administers many transportation-related acts and regulations.

To accomplish its mandate, the ministry:

• develops provincial transportation plans to integrate various modes of transportation, in consultation with regional transportation advisory committees and in cooperation with the transportation-related Crown corporations;
• builds highways to meet the economic and social needs of British Columbians;
• maintains existing highways to a high standard through contracts with privately owned road maintenance providers;
• works with partners and other levels of government to provide efficient low-cost public transit and coastal ferry services;
• manages contracts for inland ferry operations; and
• licenses and regulates commercial bus and taxi services through the Passenger Transportation Board.

Legislation governing the ministry's activities can be found on the ministry website at: http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/key_initiatives/legislation/statutes.htm.

Primary Customers and Clients

The ministry works to meet the needs of:

• the travelling public;
• emergency responders, such as ambulance services and the police;
• businesses and business travellers;
• the tourism industry;
• trucking organizations;
• passenger transportation industries;
• resource industries; and
• those applying for subdivision approvals and access to highways.

Ministry Core Business Areas and Structure

The ministry's work is organized into five core business areas. The following outlines the programs, key functions and services the ministry provides by each core business area. Some of these services are delivered through external partners, as described in the "Partners in Transportation" section of this report. The programs described here support the achievement of ministry goals and objectives, as further described in the "Report on Performance" section of this report. The resources utilized by these core business areas are described in the "Report on Resources" section.

1. Transportation Improvements

Managing and improving the province's transportation network requires careful planning, monitoring and direction, looking decades into the future. The ministry ensures that the most pressing transportation needs in British Columbia are addressed first, so that the public's investment in transportation can bring as many benefits as possible. The Minister relies on the advice of eight independent Regional Transportation Advisory Committees across the province to identify and prioritize transportation projects.

The ministry's work in this core business area includes:

Transportation Policy and Legislation

Provides guidance on ministry policies and legislation.

Planning, Engineering and Construction

Responsibilities include:

• transportation planning;
• development and monitoring of the ministry's capital program, which identifies new roads and bridges for delivery;
• development of investment strategies, which address the public's transportation needs within available funding;
• quality management;
• engineering, survey and design;
• property acquisition for provincial highways;
• construction of provincial highways; and
• management of accesses, intersections and other connections to provincial highways.

Partnerships

Reduces the cost of new transportation facilities to taxpayers by:

• developing cost-sharing and alternative delivery partnerships with the private sector and other levels of government; and
• making efficient use of property under the ministry's jurisdiction, which may involve selling surplus property or exchanging it for highway construction services.

2. Public Transportation

The provincial government provides support to public transit and coastal ferry services across the province. These services are vital to the economic and social health of many communities.

BC Transit and Rapid Transit Project 2000 are supported by annual transfers of capital and/or operating funding. This funding also supports transportation services for the disabled.

Public transit in Greater Vancouver is funded through dedicated tax revenues provided to TransLink (Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority), which is responsible for public transit in the region.

The Province pays the private company British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. performance-based service fees for coastal ferry services. Many island and coastal communities rely on these connections to the rest of the province.

The provincial government also is providing significant financial support to two new rapid transit lines in the Lower Mainland: the Richmond-Airport-Vancouver Rapid Transit Project (RAV) and the North East Sector Rapid Transit Line to Coquitlam.

3. Highway Operations

Highway Operations keeps B.C.'s transportation network safe, reliable and in good repair in some of Canada's most challenging terrain.

This is the ministry's front line - working directly with the public, local governments, First Nations, and ministry contractors.

The ministry's highway operations are divided by geographic area into three regions: South Coast, Southern Interior and Northern. Each region is subdivided into districts and maintenance areas for more efficient administration.

The ministry's work in this core business area includes:

Maintenance, Asset Preservation and Traffic Operations

Customer service

Regional and district staff provide front line customer service to the public, local governments, First Nations and other stakeholders.

Highway maintenance is carried out by maintenance contractors in 28 contract areas throughout the province. Ministry staff manages the maintenance contracts and works closely with the maintenance contractors to ensure they meet ministry standards.

Rehabilitation and Upkeep

Timely rehabilitation prevents more costly repairs in the future. Highway Operations determines where investment would do the most good, resurfaces roads and bridges, replaces bridges at the end of their service life, and performs other work to extend the life of the transportation network.

This business area also is responsible for regular upkeep, such as pavement marking, electrical maintenance and signs.

Safety

Existing roads are made safer through upgrades, such as straightening curves; or minor betterments, such as guardrails.

Avalanche control and rock slope stabilization protect travellers and highway infrastructure.

Weigh Scale Management

Weigh scale operations support the economy through the movement of goods and protection of the road infrastructure.

Inland Ferries

Fresh water ferries are a crucial part of daily life for many communities. The ministry provides inland ferry services on 14 fresh water routes. It owns the vessels and contracts the ferry operation to the private sector.

Coquihalla Toll Administration

The ministry operates the toll booths on the Coquihalla Highway. Toll revenue goes into the provincial government's consolidated revenue fund.

4. Passenger Transportation Regulation

The ministry regulates the passenger transportation industry to ensure adequate public access to commercial public transportation (excluding public transit), public safety and a healthy economy.

This business area encompasses two operational units:

Passenger Transportation Board

The board is an independent body which regulates taxis, limousines, inter-city buses and other components of the commercial passenger industry requiring Special Authorization licences. It also decides appeals on administrative penalties imposed by the Registrar of Passenger Transportation.

The Passenger Transportation Board replaced the Motor Carrier Commission in June 2004. Its web site is located at: http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/ptb/.

Passenger Transportation Branch

The branch accepts all applications, verifies safety requirements and issues all licences, including Special Authorization licences authorized by the Board and licences for the inter-provincial and international road transport of passengers.

The Registrar of Passenger Transportation, who is also the branch director, is authorized to directly issue General Authorization licences for general passenger vehicles, provided safety and insurance requirements are addressed.

The branch is also responsible for compliance and enforcement activities against both licenced and unlicenced carriers, including the investigation of complaints and audits of licensees.

The branch was formerly known as the Motor Carrier Branch.

5. Executive and Support Services

This business area supports all ministry programs, through:

• the minister's and deputy minister's offices;
• service planning, reporting and performance measurement;
• financial and administrative services;
• human resources;
• facilities management;
• information systems; and
• freedom of information, protection of privacy and records management.

Partners in Transportation

The ministry works closely with other groups as it manages B.C.'s transportation network. These groups include:

• The federal government. The federal government provides capital funding for some provincial transportation infrastructure that serves a national interest, such as improvements to the Trans-Canada Highway, airports, border crossings and other gateways. The federal government also is responsible for roads through First Nations reserves and federal parks, and for many laws relating to marine and air travel.
• Provincial governments. Provincial transportation ministries work together to promote efficient transportation through-out Canada by harmonizing regulations and policies. Where national agreements are not possible or where regional priorities are most evident, the western transportation ministries collaborate on regulations, policies, strategic planning, and promotion of projects which provide mutual benefits across jurisdictions.
• Local governments. The ministry works with local governments to ensure they have a voice in determining provincial transportation priorities and plans. Local governments are responsible for constructing and maintaining roads that primarily benefit local travellers.
• First Nations. The ministry works with First Nations groups to ensure they have input into provincial transportation decisions affecting their areas.
• TransLink. TransLink is the regional transportation authority for Greater Vancouver. It plans, finances and operates the region's transportation system, including major roads and public transit. The ministry co-ordinates its own transportation plans with TransLink and co-operates on projects that serve both a regional and provincial interest.
• Ministry of Forests. The Ministry of Forests manages a large network of forest service roads which connect forestry lands to the provincial highway system.
• Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General (MPSSG). The ministry shares weigh scale administration with MPSSG. The Ministry of Transportation is responsible for the operation of weigh scales, which includes the enforcement of vehicle weights, axle loading and dimensions; while MPSSG is responsible for inspections of vehicle safety and configuration, and load security.
• Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC). ICBC provides universal auto insurance to B.C. motorists. It is responsible for driver licensing, vehicle registration and licensing and commercial vehicle compliance. ICBC helps fund some improvements on provincial highways to reduce the risk of accidents. ICBC is a provincial Crown corporation under the jurisdiction of the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General.
• Law enforcement agencies. Traffic laws on provincial highways are enforced by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police or local police forces.
• Roadbuilders, consulting engineers, inland ferry operators and maintenance contractors. The ministry uses private sector companies to construct, improve and maintain provincial highways and to operate the inland ferry services, allowing the public to benefit from competition and private sector innovation. Private contractors must meet strict and specific ministry standards. Ministry staff monitors this performance closely, performs regular audits, and surveys stakeholder satisfaction. Employees stay in close contact with the contractors to ensure the quality of customer service remains high.
• British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. has a 60 year contract with the provincial government to provide coastal ferry services. It is an independent, regulated and self-financing company. The provincial government's contract with BC Ferry Services sets out measurable service levels, such as on-time trips. Provincial payment is based on BC Ferry Services meeting these goals.
• Railway companies: Private railway companies provide freight and passenger services in British Columbia. The provincial government, through the British Columbia Railway Company, owns all former BC Rail railway rights-of-way, railbed and tracks; and has leased them to CN as part of the BC Rail/CN Investment Partnership. When the provincial government negotiated this partnership, it ensured shippers had a comprehensive package of remedies for any concerns about service and pricing changes.
• Port and airport authorities. Ports and airports in the province are overseen by independent authorities. The ministry ensures all such gateways are well served by the provincial highway system and may provide support for the expansion of key facilities.

Crown Corporations

The Minister of Transportation is responsible for the following Crown corporations:

BC Transportation Financing Authority

The BC Transportation Financing Authority (BCTFA) is a provincial Crown corporation continued under the Transportation Act. It owns provincial highways and provides for their rehabilitation and expansion through dedicated fuel taxes and other revenues. The BCTFA also can acquire, hold, construct, or improve other transportation infrastructure throughout British Columbia.

The chair of the BCTFA is the Minister of Transportation, and the CEO is the Deputy Minister of Transportation. The BCTFA has no dedicated full-time staff. Management is provided by staff at the Ministry of Transportation.

The operations of the BC Transportation Financing Authority are covered in this report.

BC Transit

BC Transit is a Crown corporation charged with providing public transit throughout the province, outside of the Greater Vancouver Regional District. BC Transit provides planning, marketing, fleet and funding support for all public transit services in B.C., except in the Greater Vancouver region, where public transit is the responsibility of TransLink. BC Transit's website is located at: http://www.bctransit.com.

Rapid Transit Project 2000

Rapid Transit Project (RTP) 2000 Ltd. is a provincially-held company incorporated under the Company Act. Its primary mandate is to design and construct the Millennium Line, which links Vancouver and New Westminster via the Broadway-Lougheed corridor. TransLink opened the Millennium Line on August 31, 2002. The project is continuing with the construction of one more station and guideway at Vancouver Community College, which is expected to be operational in early 2006. The RTP 2000 website is located at: http://www.rapidtransit.bc.ca.

British Columbia Railway Company (BCRC)

BCRC's revised mandate post-BC Rail/CN Investment Partnership, is to continue to own the railway right-of-way, railbed and track infrastructure that supports the freight railway; and to have an on-going accountability for overseeing the long-term lease with CN. The residual assets and entities currently owned and operated by BCRC are not required to be publicly owned. As a result, Government has directed the Board of Directors to continue to wind down or exit the remaining operating assets and entities owned by the Company.

Ministry Operating Context

Organizational success can depend on the ability to scan, interpret and respond to the organization's environment. The transportation system is affected by pressures and trends worldwide. Effective planning and management of the transportation system requires the ministry to be aware of these pressures and trends and be ready to respond appropriately to them. Ministry staff monitors ongoing pressures and trends to identify the factors influencing demand for transportation services, the resources needed to meet that demand, and the implications for citizens, partners and stakeholders. This monitoring provides early warning to decision makers and the findings are incorporated into ministry strategies and planning processes, contributing to the ministry's risk management strategy.

Pressures and Trends

• Economic development and population growth in British Columbia continue to increase the demand for transportation, especially in the more populous areas of the province. More vehicles are on the road and vehicles are being driven farther.
• External trade continues to be a major component of the B.C. economy, requiring improved access to international gateways. In the short-term, increased security issues have affected every border crossing in North America. B.C. must continue to facilitate cross-border traffic while remaining secure.
• Fluctuations in the price of oil significantly affect the cost of oil-based products used by the ministry such as asphalt, primer, seal coat and crack sealant. These cost pressures are addressed by program adjustments.
• Resource industries continue to require cost effective transportation to compete in world markets. Controlling transportation costs requires an integrated transportation system that links resource roads to processing facilities and moves goods on provincial highways and freight railways to interprovincial and international gateways.
• Road-based transport remains most people's preferred alternative for personal and work trips over short and medium distances.
• The use of heavier commercial trucks increases wear and tear on all highways and requires bridges to be stronger.

Risks and Effect

The ministry faces the following potential risks that may affect its capacity to deliver services and require it to find new ways to accomplish its goals:

• Wide variation in fuel prices due to world events may result in lower fuel usage, reducing the fuel tax revenues on which the ministry relies to fund needed infrastructure improvements.
• Volatility in the price of building materials, such as steel and concrete; the availability of skilled labour; or high fuel prices may create unanticipated cost pressures.
• Weather and related phenomena; such as slides, floods, avalanches and fire; likely will remain highly unpredictable and could cause major events that affect the transportation system.
• Security concerns or trade protectionism may disrupt cross-border trade in spite of infrastructure improvements.

New Era Commitments

The following table shows the status of New Era commitments that were outstanding at the beginning of 2004/05.