B.C. unveils huge transit plan
DARREN YOURK
Globe and Mail Update
January 14, 2008 at 2:23 PM EST
The British Columbia government unveiled a $14-billion transit and transportation strategy Monday, calling it a key measure in the province's plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Premier Gordon Campbell and Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon announced the plan in Vancouver.
The agreement is highlighted by $10.3-billion investment in four new rapid transit lines in Metro Vancouver — the Evergreen Line, the UBC Line, the upgraded Expo Line and the Canada Line. Another $1.2-billion has been earmarked for a new energy-efficient, high-capacity RapidBus BC service along nine major routes in Kelowna, Victoria and Metro Vancouver.
The plan, scheduled for completion in 2020, also includes a $1.6-billion investment in 1,500 new, clean energy buses and related maintenance infrastructure to provide communities with improved bus service.
The British Columbia government has announced
a $14-billion transit and transportation plan aimed
at helping curb greenhouse gas in the province. (The Globe and Mail)
Internet Links“Our new plan will double transit ridership by increasing choice for people around the province, with new fleets, green technology, new lines and new innovative services like RapidBus BC,” Mr. Campbell said.
“The plan focuses on safe, comfortable, reliable services that will highlight green technologies and will reshape our communities by encouraging integration of work, home and recreational activities. It provides people with the choices they need to make a difference.”
The provincial government says the project will save 4.7 million tonnes in transportation greenhouse gases – about the equivalent of parking all the cars and light trucks in Metro Vancouver for a full year.
The province has committed $4.75-billion toward the project, with the remainder coming from partners including the federal government, TransLink and local governments.
There are also plans to increase security measures to enhance transit safety. Electronic gates and closed-circuit cameras will be installed at rapid transit and new RapidBus stations. A smart-card system for rapid transit and buses, which users can reload at vending machines or on the Internet, will also be implemented.
“The transit plan sets out innovative, integrated, customized solutions for individual communities to keep people and goods moving efficiently in B.C. as part of our broader transportation strategy,” said Mr. Falcon.
“Increased transit will allow people more choice, and often time savings. For example, during peak periods, transit riders travelling between Coquitlam Centre and Vancouver International Airport can save more than an hour every day compared to drivers.”
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