The Manitoba Chamber of Commerce is cautiously enthusiastic for rapid transit and recognizes its potential benefits but the MCC seem to be waiting for the city to propose a clearly articulated, staged plan.
http://www.winnipeg-chamber.com/PDF/...ew/Transit.pdf
Quote:
Rapid Transit is leading-edge public transportation that can move more people, more quickly and create powerful solutions to many challenges our city faces. It can have a positive impact on economic development, downtown revitalization, renewal of inner city neighbourhoods and environmental stewardship. By embracing technological advancements in transit, we can rejuvenate public interest and accelerate growth in our transit system — an essential element of any major progressive city.
Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce Recommendations:
• Examine the following criteria to determine whether The Chamber
supports rapid transit:
Sustainability – Is rapid transit sustainable?
Public support – Is there public support for rapid transit?
Good for business – Does rapid transit serve as a catalyst for a
healthy and prosperous community that offers a strong foundation
for business location and expansion?
Value to taxpayers – What is the cost of the different modes of
rapid transit? Is there a return on investment? The cost must be
transparent to the public.
Financing options – How will the City pay for rapid transit? There
must be a strategy for obtaining substantial federal and provincial
government funding and public/private partnership.
Improved customer service – How measure success?
• Proceed with rapid transit only once the City of Winnipeg puts clear
and specific measurements in place with respect to identified
objectives (i.e. - increased ridership, customer satisfaction, improved
travel times/flow).
• Implement a rapid transit system in stages that would allow for an
evaluation to determine the success of rapid transit before taxpayer
dollars are spent on subsequent stages.
• Clearly articulate the implementation plan for rapid transit and provide
opportunities for public consultation.
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Jimi or Galston, does TruWinnipeg know the status of the 2004-2005 Special Rapid Transit Task Force BRT plan? Has there been any movement at all to address the critera the MCC lay out here?