Re: 鈥淣ew buses, fare-collection methods planned, thanks to federal funding,鈥� Nov. 17.
The federal government has announced that public transit in sa国际传媒 will be receiving $136 million. Over the next 10 years, $4.1 billion will go toward transportation and infrastructure projects, mainly on the mainland.
Meanwhile, here in the capital region, we are stuck with no regional transportation authority or a cohesive transportation plan, which is critical if we need federal funding in the future. If this wasn鈥檛 bad enough, we see no glimmer of hope from the provincial government that things are going to change.
Are dedicated lanes for bus rapid transit and the McKenzie interchange the best we can hope for in addressing road congestion? Will car drivers really switch to buses? Is there any hope left for the E&N?
There is no cohesive plan that looks to the future. How are we are going to deal with the impact new vehicle technologies will have on mobility choices and road infrastructure?
We just don鈥檛 seem to have what it takes to recognize that transportation planning for the next 50 years will need more than a few engineers sitting around a table.
Premier John Horgan and Transportation Minister Claire Trevena should recognize it鈥檚 time for transportation planning in the CRD to be taken seriously. Since local politicians appear unable to move forward with a regional transportation authority, isn鈥檛 it time to create a bold vision and give us real hope that the region will finally get what it deserves 鈥� transportation services and infrastructure that will successfully sustain our social, economic and environmental future?
Christina Mitchell
Victoria
