The BC Liberal platform is pledging to put the final decision on Translink funding in the hands of Metro Vancouver taxpayers.
Premier Christy Clark says once mayors and the province decide on how to fund transit then it will go to a Metro Vancouver-specific referendum.
"People in the lower mainland in Metro Vancouver should have the chance to decide how much transit they want to pay for. We have always said that any transit plan for the lower mainland must be regionally sourced. It must be affordable. What better way to make sure that it is supported than to put it to referendum."
The Liberals have tied the referendum to the next municipal elections which are set for 2014.
The NDP are shrugging off the idea of a referendum to decide how Translink is funded. Carole James says the concept is an end run around making difficult decisions.
"We have said that some of the revenue from the carbon tax should go towards green initiatives so a shared funding model where the province looks at providing some support as well. So it does not avoid the tough discussion. Just simply saying you are going to have a referendum is basically passing the buck. It says that the government doesn't play a role in all of this well the provincial government does play a role."
James says the NDP will sit down with Translink and mayors to find a sustainable transit funding model.
The chair of the Mayors' Council for Translink is not dismissing the idea of a referendum on transit funding but he does have some problems with it.
Richard Walton says to solve the transit funding issue all levels of government need to be at the table.
"In order to get to that point, I mean to say it is arbitrarily going to happen in November 2014 depends on the ability of all of those parties to work together advancing a discussion in the region and I think it is arbitrary I don't think anyone is necessarily opposed to refernendum providing they are well conceived and well timed and the public are well informed."
Walton is also concerned about voters rejecting a funding idea which might delay transit funding for years.
The Liberals are promising a vote in the next municipal election once a transit funding model is decided,