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| Transport Action Hotline - 5 February 2010 | |||||||||||
In this issue...This is the Transport Action Hotline, issue number 1058, for 5 February 2010.
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1 - Calendar
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2 - Fredericton council supports rural residents who rely on bus serviceThe Daily Gleaner reported on Feb. 2, 2010. "(Fredericton) City council has passed a resolution to support northern New Brunswick in its bid to oppose cuts to Acadian Coach Lines routes in the province." The Gleaner quoted Fredericton Mayor Brad Woodside: "We have to participate, on occasion, with our neighbours, particularly our neighbours in the north. They're going through a very difficult time up there and one thing that probably is important to them is transportation for students and those who don't have cars.""The provincial Energy and Utilities Board will hold a public hearing on Acadian's proposed route cuts March 15 at the Rodd Miramichi River Hotel in Miramichi, March 16 at the Milltown Legion in St. Stephen and on March 17 at the Fredericton Inn. In order to speak at the public sessions, people must register with the utilities board by Feb. 11," Heather McLaughlin wrote for the Daily Gleaner. http://dailygleaner.canadaeast.com/search/article/940645
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3 - Consider fuel tax breaks for rural bus runs: John Pearce, Transport Action"A longtime watcher of the transportation industry in the Maritimes says it may be incumbent on government to look at solutions that might help intercity motor carriers. John Pearce, past president of Transport 2000 - Atlantic, said the provinces need to look at options such as forgiving provincial fuel taxes or the provincial portion of the HST," Shawn Berry wrote in the Feb. 4 edition of the Fredericton Daily Gleaner.http://dailygleaner.canadaeast.com/cityregion/article/943067
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4 - Transport Action calls for hearings on bus service in Cape Breton"The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board has set hearing dates for an application by Acadian Intercity Coaches LP to change routes and schedules in the province. Acadian's proposed changes would include elimination of a bus run departing Sydney for Halifax at 5 p.m. and another leaving Halifax for Sydney at 10 a.m. ... (Transport Action's John Pearce said) "I think the cuts there mark a deterioration in the service, which will discourage more passengers." Pearce also said he would like to have seen a hearing scheduled somewhere between Antigonish and Sydney," the Cape Breton Post reported on Feb. 2."Hearings will be held on Feb. 24 at 10:30 a.m. at the Old Orchard Inn in Wolfville and at 7 p.m. at the Conference Centre in Wolfville as well as on Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 20 in Digby. The board says anyone wishing to present evidence or cross-examine witnesses must file notice no later than Feb. 10; anyone wishing to make written comments can forward a letter to the clerk of the board at Box 1692, Unit M, Halifax, N.S., B3J 3S3 or by email at board@gov.ns.ca or calling 902-424-4448 no later than Feb. 19," Chris Hayes reported for the Cape Breton Post. http://www.capebretonpost.com/index.cfm?sid=323296&sc=152
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5 - 15 février: Déjeuner-bénéfice 2010 de Transport 2000 Québec: Prix Guy-ChartrandTransport 2000 procédera entre autres à la remise des Prix Guy-Chartrand, qui visent à souligner le leadership exceptionnel exercé par des individus pour soutenir l'amélioration et le développement des transports collectifs, que ce soit au niveau national, régional ou local, dans trois catégories spécifiques : action et mobilisation des usagers, développement et amélioration du transport collectif, personnalité marquante du domaine du transport collectif. | |||||||||||
6 - CP files to abandon alternative cross-Ontario line: Freight for TorontoOn Feb. 2 Canadian Pacific Railway published a notice of intention to abandon the mid-section of its Sudbury to Smiths Falls line. Many communities directly affected want to save the infrastructure. Two weeks ago the Mayor of Pettawawa held a good meeting with fifty municipal and economic developments to deal with the CPR announcement, which he knew was imminent. Since then, economic development agents and the MP for much of the affected region, Cheryl Gallant, have been at work. The priority is working with local shippers and receivers to build support for the line. Transport Action Canada will be working with local communities. The watchdog groups notes losing the line will limit the ability of Metrolinx to expand the Toronto commuter rail network. It would also create a major choke point, at Cobourg/Port Hope, in the national railway network. | |||||||||||
7 - No infrastructure grants yet for 288-kilometre Sudbury-Sault Ste. Marie rail line"A partnership of communities, First Nations and industries from Sault Ste. Marie to Sudbury said it needs $12 million now in stimulus funds and $21 million from the Build Canada Infrastructure Fund that is tied to forging a Canada-Ontario rail agreement," the Sudbury Star reported on Jan. 29, 2010. "We strongly support public investment in northern rail," David Jeanes, president of national citizen advocacy group Transport Action, said in a release. "We have been working closely with community groups, including the Coalition for Algoma Passenger Trains, to find solutions to benefit the regional economy," the Sudbury Star reported."Sault Ste. Marie MP Tony Martin said that based on earlier comments from federal government officials, money for rail infrastructure was expected by the end of January," the Sudbury Star reported. http://www.thesudburystar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2283523
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8 - 310 deaths on OPP roads in 2009: $4.2 billion in social costsOn Feb. 2 the Ontario Provincial Police reported: "In 2007 there were 453 traffic fatalities in OPP jurisdictions. In 2008 fatalities were reduced to 322 and in 2009, further reduced to 310. This represents 131 lives saved in 2008 (down 29%) and a further 12 lives saved in 2009 (down 32%) from the base year of 2007. ... The (Traffic Safety Program) has also resulted in an overall reduction in year-over-year collisions and the personal injuries that result from these crashes. In 2007 the OPP investigated 75,272 collisions of which there were 19,823 persons injured. In 2008 the total collisions were reduced to 74,196 (down 1%) in which 16,767 people were injured (down 15%). In 2009, collisions were further reduced to 69,737 (down 6%) with 14,727 personal injuries (down 12%)."The OPP noted: "A 2007 Transport Canada report estimated the social cost of one traffic fatality at $13.6 million. ... Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of injury and death to people between the ages of 3 and 33." http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/safety/socialcost.shtml
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9 - Transport Action reviews a new roundabout in Ottawa: "Very confusing""The roundabout is very confusing," (David) Jeanes (said), pointing out separate in and out lanes for Flannery, plus ramps south to the Airport Parkway and north to Bronson Ave," the Ottawa Sun reported on Jan. 30, 2010."So really when you look at it, it's a bit of spaghetti," said Jeanes. He said the one-way signs also need to be more prominent, as there might be a temptation for motorists to turn the wrong way into the roundabout," the Sun reported. "In fact, during Jeanes' inspection, one vehicle stopped and backed up in the roundabout. "That's hardly an indication of safety." There are no signs warning motorists to watch for pedestrians, or warning pedestrians to look left before they cross the road for the second time when many might be tempted to look right," Doug Hempstead wrote for the Ottawa Sun. http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/ottsun/100130/canada/round__round_we_go_in_ottawa
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10 - Aviation Safety News: Plot error over Buffalo, security theatre, Saturna IslandAviation Safety News was published on February 2, 2010. It covers elements of the American response to safety fears about smaller airlines in the wake of the Continental Connection Flight 3407 crash in Buffalo on Feb. 12, 2009. It reported on "security theatre", Saturna Island and lasers pointed at cockpits. Aviation Safety News is a project of Transport Action Canada (formerly Transport 2000) and the Public Interest Advocacy Centre.
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11 - Is GO Transit holding up VIA Rail investment in the Toronto-London corridor?"I'm back on my old "soap box" working for improved passenger train service along our North Mainline - Toronto -Kitchener -Stratford -London -Sarnia -Windsor - and to points north and south of Kitchener," Transport Action's Mary Pappert wrote to her MPP John Milloy. "GO Trains" are a piece meal approach to a significant issue, and ultimately an inefficient use of taxpayers money. Public transportation is a national issue that must be accomplished with a national perspective to allow all citizens the opportunity to travel all across our county."I was overjoyed to hear President Obama forcefully announce his support and action for improved passenger train service in the U.S.A. - and his statement that if China and India can have good passenger train service - certainly the U.S.A. can as well. And, I believe, certainly Canada can as well. He pointed out it provides citizens with efficient public transportation, creates hundreds of jobs and has less impact on the environment," Pappert wrote on Jan. 19, 2010. "Please - examine the issue again and review it with the "powers-that-be" within your party, provincially and federally to ensure that a national perspective is implemented; and for your constituents that improvements of infrastructure and service on our North Mainline are implemented quickly and efficiently - for the benefit of all travelers, the environment and the potential jobs for our people who desperately need them," the Transport Action member wrote. | |||||||||||
12 - Edmonton LRT expansion for Expo 2017"We confirm that we can build it before 2017, but what we have to describe now is precisely what the cost would be, how that would be funded and what options are available to you to make that decision," (the city's transportation manager Bob) Boutilier said. "The only barrier is money." A few weeks ago, Mayor Stephen Mandel challenged Boutilier to come up with a way to have the planned southeast, west and northeast routes built in time for the 2017 EXPO. The city submitted a bid in November for the rights to host the world fair," CBC News reported on Feb. 3.
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13 - Amtrak Trains to the Vancouver Olympics are filling up"Last August, Amtrak and the DOT launched a second daily train up to Vancouver, giving travelers two trips in each direction per day at least through the games. State officials aren't sure yet whether the second train, which leaves and returns later than the original one, will become a permanent service following the games," the Bellingham Herald reported on Feb. 2. | |||||||||||
14 - Transport Action worked with many groups to get the second Seattle-Vancouver train going."In the 2008 fiscal year, the original train saw an average of about 90 passengers a day. Through Jan. 15, the second train is averaging nearly 80 passengers; in that same time, the original train also has had increased ridership. ... The trains can hold at least 240 passengers. An Amtrak report submitted to the U.S. Congress last October stated the railroad corporation was expecting about 82 passengers per trip on the second train to Vancouver. If enough people ride the second train, the Canada Border Services Agency will waive a $1,500 a day inspection fee for the second train, a fee the DOT can't afford. The DOT subsidizes Amtrak service in Washington state," Jared Paben wrote for the Bellingham Herald.http://www.bellinghamherald.com/102/story/1272752.html
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