A number of new revenue tools that could help fund an ambitious transit plan for the Greater Toronto Area are on the agenda today as the mayor’s 13-member executive committee meets at City Hall.

Committee members are expected to consider a staff report, which recommends signing off on four of 11 revenue tools proposed by Metrolinx immediately and rubber stabbing an additional three upon completion of the first phase of the Big Move in 2020.

The four revenue tools suggested for immediate adoption include development charges and a dedicated sales tax, fuel tax and parking space levy.

The three other tools that city staff would support upon completion of the first wave of the project include high occupancy toll lanes, highway tolls and a dedicated vehicle registration tax.

The staff report dismissed a congestion levy, a transit fare increase, a utility bill levy, an employer payroll tax or an income tax as a means to fund transit.

“Consistent with the majority public view, this report recommends that council support regional transportation expansion in the GTHA and the use of select dedicated revenues to be implemented by the province to fund the Metrolinx Big Move plan,” the report states. “Development charges, a fuel tax, a parking levy, and a sales tax should be considered by council as potential revenue tools for implementation by Metrolinx. Further revenue sources specific to vehicle use such as highway tolls or other road pricing are considered for future implementation upon completion of the first phase of Metrolinx projects which should be operational in 2020.”

The Big Move, which was announced in 2007, aims to create an integrated regional transportation network from Hamilton to Durham Region at a cost of $50 million.

Some elements of the plan include the Yonge subway extension into York Region, the construction of LRT lines along Eglinton, Sheppard and Finch avenues, new rapid transit in Mississauga, Brampton and Hamilton and major changes to the GO Transit rail network.

As part of the implementation of the new revenue tools, the staff report asks council to set aide 25 per cent of all income generated for local transit priorities.

Troubled bike-sharing service on agenda

Keeping with the transit-oriented theme, the executive committee is also expected to discuss what to do with a cash-strapped bike-sharing service during their meeting today.

BIXI Toronto launched in 2011 with a $4.8-million loan from the city, of which it has only repaid $900,000.

With the service now struggling to cover its operating costs some cycling advocates have called for the city to forgive the loan in exchange for an ownership stake, but Mayor Rob Ford has said he is not interested in subsidizing BIXI Toronto.

Meanwhile staff is urging the city to restructure its 10-year partnership with the service in order to protect their financial interest.

What a restructured relationship would look like remains unclear.