Straight talk on public transit is refreshing
Bureaucrats’ message about bus service is forthright, direct, strong — and a bit scary
Last week saw two very important committee discussions. The first, at Planning and Development, was a report on public reaction to the draft Official Plan (OP). As might be expected, it received mixed reviews.
In a nutshell, the development industry wants more flexibility built in to some parts, and other detail removed, especially because changes to the Planning Act don’t allow any applications to amend an OP for two years after its approval.
The public submitted 1,032 surveys, 32 workbooks (reflecting participation of 50 to 75 people), and about 1,000 individual votes. Three top themes emerged that the public liked. In all, 29 per cent liked its focus on protecting green space, 14 per cent appreciated emphasis on transit and transportation improvements, and 13 per cent liked growth focused around major transit stations and other specific areas.
Asked what they didn’t like, 22 per cent cited tall buildings, 17 per cent disliked the loss of character, particularly the city’s small-town charm, and another 17 per cent felt it was too vague.
But attending Thursday’s long Committee of the Whole transit workshop was a breath of fresh air. No bureaucratese spoken here. Just plain-speak, “tell-it-like-itis” talk.
City manager James Ridge was forthright, direct, strong, and a bit scary about the city’s current transit system. He described it as a long-running failed experiment. There have been no capital dollars budgeted in recent years. The only capital spent was from federal and provincial gas taxes. (This council, the same one since 2010, lacks majority support for transit).
He emphasized that fares are higher than other municipalities, service worse and unreliable. Drivers work under poor conditions, often for excessive hours, and there is high turnover. Mechanics can’t keep up with maintenance, and at times there is no supervision. Safety was the thrust of his presentation.
What a treat to hear a bureaucrat tell it like it is, not use weasel words to gloss over problems.
He got council’s attention, and was instructed to report back quickly on what can be done. It will take $288,000 in 2017, and $850,000 in 2018 just to improve safety.
Colin Lynn, whose background is financial, presented a superb overview, pointing out that ridership has steadily declined. Interestingly, this year, the city budgeted $2.5 million for fuel, but only spent $2 million because of low prices.
New transit director Sue Connor (formerly of Brampton) was credible, and not given to fast-guess answers. She appears solid, and may well prove to be just what Burlington needs.
Following staff presentations, transit consultant Jarrett Walker provided info to enable council to decide on future transit choices. Options are 1) increasing ridership (fewer faster routes), 2) a “coverage” goal (trying to serve more people), or 3) finding somewhere in between. He cautioned against “specialization” — pandering to special groups or special route requests.
Transit works best, he said, with fixed, walkable routes. For instance if you can’t cross a six-lane arterial to get to the other side, it won’t work. He noted, employment routes often don’t succeed because of different kinds of jobs, like shift work, that needs very early and late routes.
Coun. Paul Sharman questioned using smaller buses. Walker responded that the big transit cost is labour, and small buses reduce flexibility, however that these might work in low ridership areas. Marianne Meed Ward queried improving student ridership. Again he was cautious, noting that student ride numbers can vary by extremes.
What a breath of fresh air! Maybe now, council will get transit right!
Update on the Niagara Escarpment Commission (NEC). The province has completely, disgustingly failed the NEC and its clients. Ten of its 17 members’ terms (including the chair’s) expired between April and July. Only three new appointments have been made. July, August and September meetings were cancelled for lack of a quorum and chair. What dreadful service! After all the hoopla about new plans for the Green Belt, Oak Ridges Moraine, and NEC, now this? The province needs to get its act together. FAST!