Dear Editor,

As I read editorials and stories about TransLink [Take a ride on the threat train, May 10 Opinion, Light ahead in tunnel vision, May 17 Letters, TIMES], I feel the sum of the costs to be staggering and out of scope with reality.

All of the stories have one common link: TransLink is a money-eating monster that will never have enough to satisfy its needs.

Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley are overburdened with taxation: gas taxes, property taxes, parking taxes, road, licence and carbon taxes, etc. Gas tax alone takes a billion dollars out of the Lower Mainland.

B.C. is no longer competitive. From Alberta to Ontario, the average gas price is $1.21/litre, with the low price being $1.11. This is bad for tourism. Do you feel a little ripped off?

Langley is considering secession from GVRD and TransLink, due to sky-high costs with minimal service.

Maple Ridge pays TransLink more than $24 million annually, for the worst bus service seen in any community.

Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, along with municipalities south of the Fraser should board the Threat Train and secede from the GVRD and Translink.

I believe TransLink to be too big, too expensive to operate with any efficiency.

Secession would offer municipalities of the Fraser Valley better transportation service at a lower cost, plus entitle us to receive federal tax subdues from Ottawa for needed infrastructure like light rail service. Currently, GVRD takes it all and gives the valley very little.

Former Mayor Gordy Robinson talked about it 10 years ago, but nothing ever developed.

I wonder why our council appears to be satisfied with the current poor service and high costs.

Jim Bulpit, Maple Ridge