Rapid Transit “Light”

Colin Craig WINNIPEG: Concerned with the high cost of the governments' $327 million "hail mary" bus rapid transit (BRT) proposal, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) today recommended the city follow its original plan for their active transit signal priority pilot project down Pembina Highway.

"The governments' proposal will cost hundreds of millions of dollars, service only one part of the city and isn't based on a completed business plan." said CTF-Manitoba director, Colin Craig. "It would be more prudent to continue with the original plan of conducting an active transit signal priority pilot project down Pembina Highway for a few million dollars rather than gambling on a $327 million project." By implementing "active transit signal priority systems", cities around the world have reduced transit travel times by upwards of 40%. Such systems allow busses to communicate by radio or GPS signal with upcoming transit lights. Depending on the system's design, busses can send a signal to make a traffic light stay green longer or make it turn green earlier. Ultimately, busses spend less time waiting at red lights, use less fuel and produce less pollution. Winnipeg Transit informed the CTF that Winnipeg does not currently have such a system in place. Further, Winnipeg Transit's proposed pilot project along Pembina Highway will be moved to another location. "The mayor has said publicly that he doesn't believe his project will get the majority of people to leave their cars at home." said Craig. "Why not try out new technology first if it can provide similar results for a fraction of the cost? It has in other cities." In addition to reducing travel times, an active transit signal priority system down Pembina Highway would mean existing road infrastructure could be used. No new bridges or roads would require annual maintenance. Further, active transit signal priority systems can also be used by emergency vehicles to reduce their response times. According to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, a leading organization in active transit signal priority, GPS and radio-based systems cost approximately $150,000-$250,000 per mile. The CTF estimates that active transit signal priority routes could be set-up for Portage Ave., Regent Ave, Pembina Hwy. and Main Street for approximately $10 million. Additional routes could be added as needed. "We always hear that the city has a massive infrastructure deficit" concluded Craig "Through active signal transit priority, transit travel times can come down significantly without building new roads and tunnels that require maintenance." Colin Craig, Provincial Director - Manitoba Canadian Taxpayers Federation ccraig@taxpayer.com

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