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VANCOUVER – As part of the government’s plan to take action on climate change, a new emphasis will be placed on promoting eco-friendly taxis in the Vancouver and Victoria areas, Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon announced today.
“This government’s goal is to reduce B.C.’s greenhouse gas emissions by at least 33 per cent below current levels by 2020,” said Falcon. “This is an aggressive target and it sets a new standard in transportation. That’s why I am asking the Passenger Transportation Board to take into account the Province’s greenhouse gas reduction policy in all its decisions – to help create a cleaner environment for all British Columbians.”
Falcon has sent a letter to the Passenger Transportation Board, requesting that all approvals of applications for taxis in the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) and the Capital Regional District (CRD) be for eco-friendly vehicles (hybrid or other highly energy efficient vehicles) only. This would extend to approvals for new licences or additional vehicles under current licenses in the GVRD and CRD.
“The board shares the government’s concerns regarding the serious impacts of greenhouse gas emissions on the environment, and supports the view that it is in the public interest to make the transportation industry more ecologically responsive,” said Dennis Day, chair of the Passenger Transportation Board.
“We are going to continually seek new ways to promote clean transportation in B.C.,” said Falcon. “This is the first step towards developing a commercial passenger transportation system which produces a minimum of greenhouse gases.”
There are two initiatives currently in place that would make the requirement economically feasible for taxi companies. The first is the B.C. tax exemption for alternative fuel vehicles, which reduces the PST by as much as $2,000 for a new hybrid electric vehicle. This program is eligible to new vehicles purchased or leased before April 1, 2011. The federal government has also established the ecoAUTO Program, which offers rebates for listed ecologically friendly vehicles of up to $2,000.
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Communications Director 250 387-7787 |
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