My notes from the briefing, prior to the Mayors Council vote:
.
Mayorscouncil.ca: A 10-year investment plan, a 30-year vision.
- Meeting challenges of growth and congestion that’s affordable and fair.
- Everyone gets something with the most urgent, most effective choices.
.
BUS SERVICES, SEA BUS, WCE
Increases bus service by 25 percent across region.
– 80 percent increase in night bus service.
– 30 percent increase in HandyDart.
50 percent more SeaBus service.
New train for WCE.
11 new B-Lines over 200 km – so 25 percent of people will be within walking distance.*
The extension of the network for frequent service (15 min, seven days a week) means 70 percent of Metro residents will be within walking distance.*
25 percent will be within walking distance* of rapid transit.
Reduces traffic congestion to save 20 to 30 minutes per day on most congested corridors.
.
RAPID TRANSIT
Upgrades for SkyTrain – double Expo capacity by 2014.
Three light rail lines in Surrey, with B line extensions, in 10 years.
Extension of Millennium line to Arbutus in 10 years, in tunnel.
50 percent of passengers are regional users.
.
ROADS, BIKEWAYS, BRIDGE
$36 million additional per year for Major Road Network, cost shared.
2700 km of bikeway, inc 300 separated km, cost shared.
Six-lane Pattullo capacity, four lanes operational, tolled.
.
FUNDING
$7.5 billion in new capital.
$390 million per year.
TransLink budget increases from $1.4 to $2.2 billion.
Assumes senior government contributions $3.95 billion in capital.
Reallocate carbon tax in midterm. Or new carbon tax above existing level, $20-25 per tonne.
Mobility pricing on road network in long term.
* Walking distances:
Four blocks for bus
Six blocks for B line
Eight blocks for rapid transit
This all looks good so far, but the devil is always in the details. All these B-lines running around the region, the key will be if municipal governments will do their part and ensure they flow freely. Otherwise we’re just paying for more buses to sit in traffic, and not actually creating the reliable, fast network that’s promised/needed.
Most evident this situation can be seen both on Broadway and on streets like Hastings/north Main during rush hours. Without cities reallocating the needed space for all this lovely transit we’re just throwing money out the window. Hell, a lot could be done to increase capacity/reliability with *current* service levels if municipal governments created the dedicated bus lanes and priority measures to get the buses flowing. Then with these additional service hours, you’re getting a little closer to the European nirvana I’m sure most readers of this blog have visions of.
Nothing to UBC ?
No new caps on unionized wages & benefits ?
I really like the focus on adding regular, express and custom bus service.
“Build it and they will come” is an expensive, slow process that’s highly dependent on re-zoning and re-building. On the other hand a new bus can be added quickly and serve people and destinations that already exist. It can convert some of today’s drivers instead of waiting for tomorrow’s to move here from elsewhere.
I like the balance shown in the rail transit choices too. SkyTrain to Arbutus deals with the highly congested central Broadway area and connects the Canada Line to the rest of the system outside the downtown core. The L line in Surrey connects our fastest growing city to its new downtown along established arteries. I never thought the line to Langley should be the first priority.
New express buses will help change the perception that transit is either slow or too far away.
New night buses will help people enjoy a night out without having to worry so much about how they’re going to get home.
I also see new road maintenance, a new bridge and more bike lanes: something for everyone.
I think “something for everyone” will be key in getting the votes needed to pass the referendum. I agree, this is a good plan.
“I also see new road maintenance, a new bridge and more bike lanes: something for everyone.”
Indeed, I think this has a lot of positives. I shudder to think how it can be compressed into any sort of yes/no referendum question but a strong vision in the background could go a long way in reassuring voters.
Hmm, 3 LRT lines for Surrey, one of the most auto-centric suburban forms (i.e., sprawling) in the region. The street/public realm design response to manage potential conflicts at intersections on some of the candidate routes will be interesting to see unfold. On the positive side, existing ped counts must be low so the risk to pedestrians should also be relatively low, in contrast to more urbanized, gridded urban forms.
Excellent Point Frank. Maybe it could look something like this..
http://www.citylab.com/housing/2014/06/what-transit-will-actually-look-like-in-new-suburbia/372580/
This is from the Sun’s article:
“Stone congratulated the mayors on coming up with the plan, but said it will now be up to them to decide when to hold a referendum on transportation funding. The province has said any new funding sources would have to be affordable, regionally sourced and have no impact on the B.C. Economy.”
Of course this whole project would have an excellent impact on the BC economy.
But is the provincial government able to see that? I hope so but I’m not so sure…
BC Liberals have trouble seeing benefits that don’t flow to the top 5%. This package would create thousands of jobs for bus drivers, mechanics and construction workers; not exactly Christy’s kind of people.
The proposal to use existing carbon taxes was both a clever way to avoid the need for a referendum and a tip of the hat to voters who think they already pay enough tax. The mayors did everything they could to look like the good guys.
It should have garnered support from the anti-tax crusaders because it proposes zero new taxes in the first few years and user fees to replace existing taxes in later years, but denial is so strong amongst them that no amount of making lemonade from lemons will ever be enough for them. How can the CTF possibly think that $250M/y flowing into the black hole that is our provincial government is better than entrusting it to a local body subject to audit at the drop of a hat?
The immediate and absolute rejection of the carbon tax shift shows once again that BC Liberals do not negotiate or compromise with anyone. “It’s my way and the highway!” The highway to hell, that is.
I hope you are wrong but I think you are right!
In Portland at the moment for the fantastic International Making Cities Livable Conference and have been riding the streetcar and MAX light rail daily. There’s a great example here that Surrey would do well to emulate, and I hope their focus on surface light rail leads them in the Portland direction.
How’s this for part of the referendum question:
“Do you support redirecting a portion of the carbon tax to fund and operate transit improvement in the region?”
Wouldn’t a yes answer to that question get the Province’s knickers in a knot!