MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
September 16, 2008
Transit plan must cut emissions and ease Saanich congestion: Candidate
Victoria – The Victoria Regional Transit Commission accepted a work plan for the region’s transit system, but failed to agree on the key players. The commission directed BC Transit staff to revise the committee structure to provide rail representation.
“This is an opportunity to focus on the benefits of rail transit and how its zero-emission technology will attract more riders,” said Dean Murdock, candidate for Saanich Council. “Rail should be a major part of our region's future transport and land-use patterns, and we need a plan that will make that happen.”
“Using the E&N track for commuters who want to get to downtown would ease the congestion in Saanich’s ‘pinch-points,’ while a regional LRT system would see Town and Country become the regional hub that it ought to be.”
BC Transit’s Rapid Transit Work Plan will examine options to service the Westshore and Victoria market and develop recommendations to build ridership, support regional growth plans, and provide foundations for future investment.
“Our region needs real leadership to build transit capacity and increase ridership,” said Murdock. “There’s a risk that without greater emphasis on the rail option, this plan will fall back on the same old, tired ideas and leave us without a vision for quality public transit.”
In June, the Transit Commission suspended its plan for a $30-million dedicated bus lane on the Douglas Street corridor after strong objections to its impact on adjacent land uses and other forms of transport.
“If we fail to include rail expertise in the planning stage, we will end up with a study that rejects LRT and endorses the old busway plan,” Murdock added. “That’s another year lost, thousands of dollars wasted, and we’ll still be planning for zero capacity increase.”
Murdock, who chairs the Sierra Club Victoria Group, is running for Saanich Council in the November municipal election. He says better public transit is one of his highest priorities.
For Immediate Release
September 16, 2008
Transit plan must cut emissions and ease Saanich congestion: Candidate
Victoria – The Victoria Regional Transit Commission accepted a work plan for the region’s transit system, but failed to agree on the key players. The commission directed BC Transit staff to revise the committee structure to provide rail representation.
“This is an opportunity to focus on the benefits of rail transit and how its zero-emission technology will attract more riders,” said Dean Murdock, candidate for Saanich Council. “Rail should be a major part of our region's future transport and land-use patterns, and we need a plan that will make that happen.”
“Using the E&N track for commuters who want to get to downtown would ease the congestion in Saanich’s ‘pinch-points,’ while a regional LRT system would see Town and Country become the regional hub that it ought to be.”
BC Transit’s Rapid Transit Work Plan will examine options to service the Westshore and Victoria market and develop recommendations to build ridership, support regional growth plans, and provide foundations for future investment.
“Our region needs real leadership to build transit capacity and increase ridership,” said Murdock. “There’s a risk that without greater emphasis on the rail option, this plan will fall back on the same old, tired ideas and leave us without a vision for quality public transit.”
In June, the Transit Commission suspended its plan for a $30-million dedicated bus lane on the Douglas Street corridor after strong objections to its impact on adjacent land uses and other forms of transport.
“If we fail to include rail expertise in the planning stage, we will end up with a study that rejects LRT and endorses the old busway plan,” Murdock added. “That’s another year lost, thousands of dollars wasted, and we’ll still be planning for zero capacity increase.”
Murdock, who chairs the Sierra Club Victoria Group, is running for Saanich Council in the November municipal election. He says better public transit is one of his highest priorities.
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