A task force asked to identify funding sources that would cover the local share of a regional $950-million light-rail system has been given the green light.

The committee’s terms of reference were approved by the Capital Regional District board last week.

Since then the task force, jointly led by B.C. Transit and CRD staff, has launched its website at www.lrtlocalfunding.ca to provide the public with regular progress reports.

Next steps for committee members will be to identify sources of LRT funding, including looking at how other communities have funded light-rail systems, said Erinn Pinkerton, task force member and B.C. Transit’s director of corporate and strategic planning.

Task force members plan  to create stakeholder focus groups made up of residents and members of the business community, and allow participants to weigh in on different LRT funding options in November.

The funding ideas and feedback from the focus groups will be presented at public hearings next March.