THE Canadian Trucking Association of British Columbia (CTA-BC) with support from the Port Transportation Association (PTA), is calling on the Greater Vancouver municipal governments, TransLink, and provincial levels of government to set a meeting with the CTA-BC and the PTA within the next 30 days “to discuss and set plans in place to mitigate the detrimental effects the recent notices to terminate Temporary Use Permits (TUPs) for truck lots being used by trucking companies and Independent Operator drivers.”
The CTA-BC says truck parking has remained a talking point for many politicians over the years, including in Surrey where the Surrey Parking Task Force was created in 2019; however, to date, no tangible action has come from any level of government.
It notes: “Without proper truck parking, or a municipal or provincial government incentive for businesses to utilize unused land or those with vacant parking lots during non-working hours to add safe and legal spots throughout Surrey and the surrounding municipalities, trucking companies and Independent Operators are facing a significant shortage of safe, legal, and affordable parking.”
In the past three years, truck parking costs have more than tripled from an average of $200-$300 per month for a unit to $1,000 per month. The increased cost of parking far exceeds the rate of inflation, and puts a simple parking spot cost above what is financially affordable for many in the industry, according to the CTA-BC.
This trucking equipment is key to local, provincial, and Canadian economies as every item purchased from a store is moved by one or more trucks.
“As Covid taught us, it is these company owners and truck drivers that are the backbone of our country, working non-stop throughout every challenge to ensure Canadians’ needs are met. CTA-BC believes that without government intervention, the industry may be forced to take action, such as, but not limited to, moving businesses outside of these jurisdictions. CTA-BC and PTA once again reiterate that a meeting with local municipalities, TransLink BC and provincial government officials is requested within the next 30 days,” a statement issued on Friday said.
