Transport 2000 Canada Hotline

3 February 2001

Summary

Transport 2000 Canada Hotline for 3 February 2001, David Leibold reporting.

1 - Federal government works on urban transport plan

The federal government's Throne Speech on Tuesday (30 Jan 2001) included a commitment to support urban transit, in co-operation with provincial and municipal governments. This is follow-up on Liberal party platform statements in last fall's national election.

The Canadian Urban Transit Association quickly welcomed this as good news. The group of transit operators plans a Public Transit Lobby Day on Parliament Hill on 27th February.

Details on the federal government's commitment to support urban transit are being worked on. Transport 2000 Canada President Harry Gow indicated in mid-January that tax exemptions on transit passes would be a good start. The federal government is also eager to support rail transit services in Ottawa, for example.

2 - VIA continues to retrofit NightStar cars

VIA Rail will continue to refurbish its newly-acquired NightStar rail cars, despite a request from the Canadian Transportation Agency to suspend this work. Over the next few months, the federal transport regulator will decide whether the new cars are suitable for passengers with disabilities, following on complaints by The Council of Canadians with Disabilities.

To clarify a report on last week's Hotline on this subject, the CTA has merely recommended that VIA stop its NightStar retrofit work. There was no order to stop the purchase, nor any order to stop any renovations.

A Transport 2000 delegation had earlier examined the cars and found some limitations to be overcome. But in Transport 2000's opinion, accessibility should be adequate. Transport 2000's opinion and supporting findings will be submitted to VIA Rail and the Canadian Transportation Agency.

3 - VIA's old London station to fall, new station design to rise

VIA Rail announced its design for its new London, Ontario terminal on Friday (2nd Feb 2001), while preparations are made to destroy the old terminal on Sunday (4th Feb 2001). All this is part of VIA's capital improvements, $6.4 million of which is assigned to London. A temporary train station facility is already in operation.

Early reports indicate the new design is well-received by local residents and city officials. Many feel the new design is in keeping with the city of London's history and character. A controversial preliminary station sketch last fall drew howls of protest, causing VIA to rethink its London station position.

The new station is expected to open by August, when the city plays host to the Canada Summer Games. It will feature a curved roof in a style reminiscent of older train stations. A 23 metre high tower will also be prominent. A tunnel from an even older station, closed for over 40 years, will be refurbished and re-opened to give access to tracks on the central platform.

4 - Reducing air noise and emissions

An International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) committee has drafted several recommendations to limit the effects of noise and pollution emissions from aircraft. These will be considered by ICAO Council which will then decide on new noise and environmental policies.

5 - Threat of Toronto transit fare hike, service cut

City of Toronto councillors warned last week that the city may have no buses on Sundays, and that transit fares may jump by 10 cents. This is the result of a budget crunch, brought on by provincial policies. Ontario has stopped provincial transit funding, while dumping numerous other responsibilities on cities, restricting how those cities may raise revenues, and opposing any local tax increases to pay for costs, compounded by inflation and wage increases.

Toronto's Rocket Riders group is concerned about possible fare increase and service cut actions, and notes that Toronto transit riders already pay a record 80% of the operating costs through fares.

6 - Japan air scare

On Wednesday (31st January 2001), dozens of Japan Airlines passengers were injured when their aircraft swerved to prevent a collision with another plane which was also believed to be operated by Japan Airlines. Both planes landed safely, although there three people on the first plane were seriously injured.

7 - Canada 3000 flight fright

Emergency crews at Toronto Pearson International Airport greeted an incoming Canada 3000 flight from Las Vegas on Friday (2nd Feb), after the pilot warned of possible landing gear problems on the 757 aircraft. Fortunately, the landing was completed safely and without problem.

8 - Air Canada losses

Air Canada announced 1st Feb. a $394 million operating loss in the final quarter of 2000, contributing to a net loss of $82 million for the entire year.

The takeover of Canadian Airlines was completed. Those merger costs plus fuel price increases, competition from discount carriers, the slowing American economy and bad weather were all blamed for the losses.

Air Canada's takeover of Canadian cost an estimated $500 million last year.

The airline previously announced layoffs, and it also intends to reduce its fleet, getting rid of its Boeing 767 planes and Canadian's F-28 planes among other measures.

9 - Atlantic Air turbulence

Discount air carriers such as CanJet are taking a serious bite out of VIA and Air Canada services in the Atlantic. Transport 2000 Atlantic's John Pearce warned last week that "VIA traffic has collapsed and the Ocean train is losing its resident transportation users particularly in Halifax and Moncton, the two largest sources on the eastern Transcontinental. The train is like the Canadian in the winter (only 1/3 of its summer traffic) and a great deal of equipment lying idle."

Airfares such as $79 from Halifax to Montreal and Ottawa are still available, which are believed to be financially unsustainable, even though there have been a few increases - for example a $67 Halifax-Toronto deal was not among current discount fares.

Air Canada has been prevented from matching any discount deals by the federal government. The feds are concerned about Air Canada's dominant market share after absorbing Canadian Airlines, and a desire to restore a competitive air passenger framework.

CBC Television in Nova Scotia reported that Air Canada's share of business with the Atlantic dropped substantially in the past year, although Air Canada maintains a majority of the market within Atlantic Canada and for routes with Central Canada.

10 - BC transit battle

The British Columbia provincial government has been at odds with the Vancouver region TransLink authority following TransLink's recent adoption of a vehicle levy. Transport 2000 BC has passed along concerns that these strained relations could hinder productive solutions to the Lower Mainland's transportation situation.

BC is currently funding a $1.6 billion SkyTrain expansion. Yet an argument could be made that the job can be done more cost-effectively with other rail technologies than the SkyTrain, such as the systems used in Calgary and Edmonton.

11 - UK website not quite underground

Website of the week: a website dedicated to commuters opened in the UK. The motto of http://www.tubehell.com is "You are not a sardine. You are a human being."

12 - Calendar

Finally...

Thanks to Louis-Francois Garceau, Harry Gow, John Pearce, Rocket Riders, for additional material for this edition.

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www.transport2000.ca