Transport 2000 Canada Hot Line

26 April 2002

This is the Transport 2000 Canada Hotline, issue number 651, recorded on 26 April 2002, Bert Titcomb reporting.

In this issue...

1 - Ontario report calls for improved accessibility

A report released this week by the provincial human rights commission in Ontario stated that public transit systems in the province need improved access for the disabled. The report highlighted gaps in access to conventional transit systems and the limitations of paratransit services for disabled commuters. Keith Norton, chief commissioner, stated "lack of accessible transit service places barriers to education, work and health services, preventing many people full and equal participation in their community". The report indicates that Ontario public transit services need vast improvements and the collaboration of all parties to meet the needs of people with disabilities.

2 - Rail disasters

During the past week there have been two serious railway accidents involving passenger trains in the U.S.A. Amtrak's auto train travelling from Sanford, Florida, to Lorton, Virginia, was derailed near Crescent City, Florida. Fourteen passenger cars were derailed on the 41-car train. There were five fatailities including two Canadians from Toronto. Later in the week, a freight train collided with a Metrolink commuter train south of Los Angeles. Over 260 passengers were injured and two deaths were reported.

3 - CN results

CN, Canada's largest railway and the fifth-largest in N.A., reported first-quarter profit was $230 million or $1.15 a share, up from an adjusted profit of $202 million, or $1.03 a share compared to last year. Revenues rose 8 per cent to $1.51 billion from $1.4 billion, driven by gains in its automotive, forest products, petroleum and chemicals units. The railway said its operating ratio, a measure of productivity in which expenses are expressed as a percentage of revenues, rose 0.6 of a percentage point to 73.1 per cent.

4 - Air taxi growth

According to an article in the Montreal Gazette, air taxis are gaining popularity among many travelers for both convenience and price. More and more corporate executives and even some infrequent travelers are turning to private airplanes to get to where they want to go. The trend has taken off since Sept 11th according to Meara McLaughlin, a vp at Air Charter Guide, an online guide to private charters. In January, the most recent month for which statistics are available, demand for bookings jumped 17 per cent in the U.S. and Canada, according to a survey by Air Charter Guide.

5 - Montreal transit agency chair promotes better transit

Florence Junca-Adenot, chairman of the Metropolitan Transit Agency in Montreal submitted a brief this week to the Nicolet commission re transportation from Montreal to the South Shore. At the public hearing she stated "don't build new roads between Montreal and the South Shore. We already have enough of a groundwork of roads, bridges and metro tunnels to add 21 300 new public transit users by 2012". Among her suggestions were; extend the metro in Longueuil, add light-rail lines and improved train services, designate reserved lanes for buses, trucks and car-pooling, and build a network of park-and-ride stations. A final report is expected in August. For further information, consult the web site at: www.mobilite-mtl-rsud.gouv.qc.ca.

6 - Canadian air travel complaints update

Bruce Hood, the air travel ombudsman appointed two years ago by David Collenette, the Transport Minister, recently released his third report. He stated "a tremendous amount of complaints of late have been about the $12 one-way charge for airport security the government imposed on April 1st". Mr. Hood said hundreds of complaints about the charge have flooded his office. His report states, Air Canada still needs to improve and that WestJet and Air Canada's regional affiliates deserve an A for service. Mr. Hood's team received 1,167 written complaints about 50 carriers in the six months ending Dec. 31st. The figures show just over half of them, or 680, were against Air Canada or its affiliates, despite the airline's commanding market share. Quality of service topped the list of complaints, with flight delays and lost bags next, as in the previous reporting periods.

7 - Toronto transit threatened with lower service, higher fares

According to an article in the Toronto Star, the Toronto Transit Commission is threatening to reduce or cancel 67 bus routes and one streetcar route. The federal government will give the TTC $70 to $80 million, but the money will not prevent fare hikes and proposed cuts to bus routes. The TTC is in a serious cash crunch. It's operating budget of around $860 million, is 82 per cent funded by transit fare, with $152 million coming from subsidies provided by the city.

8 - Transport 2000 Canada AGM in Vancouver, 4th May 2002

A reminder to all our members that Transport 2000 Canada will hold our Annual General Meeting in Vancouver on Saturday May 4th, from 2 to 4 p.m. The meeting will take place at the Parkhill Hotel, 1160 Davie St.

Thank you for calling the Transport 2000 Canada Hotline. For additional information, please contact our web site at:

www.transport2000.ca.