Billions worth of transit projects ‘will be the James Bay of our era’
Premier touts greener future and chance for province to become a world leader
Calling major investments in transportation this generation’s equivalent of the province’s past hydroelectric projects, Premier Philippe Couillard presented Quebec’s first long-term sustainable mobility policy Tuesday, with promises to cut the amount of money and time people spend commuting and to significantly reduce greenhouse gases by 2030.
“It is a way to transform Quebec into a province that is more prosperous, more equitable, more green and more mobile,” said Couillard, who arrived at the news conference by métro in a voyage that was captured by videographers and presented to attendees on giant screens.
Investments in Montreal’s future light-rail electric train line, the extension of the métro’s Blue Line, Quebec City’s tramway system and future projects serving the northern and southern suburbs of Montreal and the regions of Quebec “will be the James Bay of our era,” Couillard said, referring to the province’s massive 1970s hydro project.
The government will invest $9.7 billion toward its goals, including $2.9 billion in new funding, Couillard announced. Among the main targets are for 2030 are:
Providing 70 per cent of the ■ population with access to at least four types of sustainable mobility, for instance public transit or carsharing or bike-sharing services, or bicycle lanes.
Reducing the average commute ■ time by 20 per cent by providing more transit options and reducing congestion.
Reducing by 20 per cent the ■ amount people spend on transportation (which in 2016 accounted for 17 per cent of after-tax household expenditures, the secondhighest expense after lodging and more than people spent on food) primarily by offering alternatives to commuting by car.
Cutting the number of solo trips ■ taken by car by 20 per cent.
Reducing the amount of gas used ■ for transportation by 40 per cent through more electrified transit offerings and better connections between public transit services.
Reducing greenhouse-gas emissions ■ by 37.5 per cent compared with 1990 levels.
Increasing Quebec’s annual sales ■ of equipment like trains from $10 billion today to $15 billion.
Quebec’s goal is to be a North American leader in sustainable integrated mobility by 2030, Couillard said. New projects in the pipeline, like the Réseau express métropolitain (REM) light rail line, will help convince commuters, he added.
“When we open the first section of the REM and you’re sitting in a car trying to cross the (Champlain) bridge and you see every three minutes a REM train go by your window, it won’t take long before you decide to leave the car at home,” he said.
Money that goes toward electricpowered vehicles like trains or cars as opposed to filling up a gas tank represents more money in Quebec’s pockets, Couillard added.
Vision 2030 was well-received by environmental groups, regional authorities and Montreal’s current administration.
“For the mayor ( Valérie Plante), sustainable mobility was the cornerstone of her mandate,” said Éric Alan Caldwell, the city ’s executive committee member responsible for transportation.
“To hear the minister of transportation and the premier say they are aligning with our objectives is great news.”
Improving mobility is the key to raising quality of life and reducing greenhouse-gas emissions, Caldwell said. For the province not to achieve its promises would represent “a major failure.”
“But we feel there is a momentum, there is a spirit, so we salute the initiative of today.”
The province’s recent announced funding to add 300 hybrid buses to Montreal’s fleet, extend the Blue Line and create the REM train line are proof of its intentions, Caldwell said.
Equally important for Vincent Moreau, general director of the provincial association of regional environmental councils, is that the vision included elements for all the regions of the province, and not just the major cities.
“By including policies that will even reach the regions, there are far better chances of the objectives of the vision being met,” he said. Improved transportation for both people and goods outside of urban centres often poorly served by transportation offerings is key, he added.