THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF PORT COQUITLAM C 0) U N C

APR 26 1982

MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and. Council April 23rd, 1982.
FROM: Alderman E.W. Mabbett

SUBJECT: Commuter Rail

We are now nearing the end of April, the Provincial Government's 1982-83
budget has been approved in the House. Although we do not know the full break-
down of the budget,:nothing has shown up so far in regard to the funds required
to start the necessary construction work on track improvements, stations, etc.,
for the high priority Commuter Rail Service between Vancouver and Port Coquitlam.

I understood Minister W. Vander Zalm was in Ottawa some few months ago on
‘the subject of the high increase in costs put forward late last year by C.P.Rail.

This Council along with all the other Council's in the area, that are
concerned should request a meeting as soon as possible with the Minister, to be
brought up to date on where we stand in regard to Commuter Rail.

If the costs of upgrading C.P. Rail lines to accommodate the addition of
Commuter Rail are justifiably higher than at first indicated then a method must
be found to finance this additional cost.

We all do large financing over a period of years; what is wrong in this
instance of making an agreement with C.P. Rail to finance the necessary upgrading
of the present rail system over a period of several years in order to get Commuter

Rail operating.

It must be remembered that although the Transit Authority has over-200 new
busses coming on stream over the next few months very few of these will actually
be additions to the overall system; as the vast majority are for replacement of
old vehicles.

Therefore it is all the more important that the government move ahead on
finding a solution to the financing of the high priority Commuter Rail system.

Respectfully submitted.

Alderman E.W. Mabbett.

EWM/al