Metro Vancouver mayors are aggressively ramping up their campaign for the "Yes" side of an upcoming transit referendum.

Several mayors were out Wednesday urging voters to vote yes on March 16 for a 0.5 per cent sales tax increase to fund major transit improvements.

The mayors say a yes vote will grow the local economy by an average of $450-million each year over the first 10 years, as well as support 7,000 new jobs in the region by 2030, according to a study done by InterVISTAS Consulting Group.

If the referendum passes, $7.5-billion in transit upgrades would go toward 400 new buses, replacing the Patullo Bridge, light rail transit in Surrey and Langley and a long-awaited Broadway corridor subway.

But many Metro Vancouver residents remain unconvinced.

An Insights West survey released last week says 53 per cent of respondents would “Definitely or probably vote no,” marking an 11 per cent increase from the month before.

The Mayors Council admits it has a long way to go.

“We knew this would be tough all along. It’s not easy to get the word out about a big, ten-year investment plan in transportation and traffic,” said Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson. “But I think as mayors and as coalition members, we have faith in the people of Vancouver. Across this region, people are stuck in traffic right now. A million more people are coming to our region, and that’ll only make the traffic worse.”

Some mayors pointed to the success of the newest SkyTrain, the Canada Line, as evidence that if you build it – the ridership will come.

“The line has exceeded its ridership ever since it opened its doors a number of years ago, and currently it provides 120,000 trips each weekday, and recently celebrated its two millionth passenger,” said Richmond Mayor Malcom Bodie. "It has spurred millions and millions in jobs and economic development all along the line, where there’s been significant development interest.”

Mayors say residents should expect to see a big educational push for the "Yes" side in the coming weeks, including bus shelter ads and thousands of pro-Yes posters.

Port Coquitlam Mayor Greg Moore estimated the council will spend between $4-6 million on the Yes campaign.

A mail-in ballot will be sent to Metro Vancouver homes starting March 16, and residents have until May 29 to vote.

With a report from CTV Vancouver’s Mi-Jung Lee