A decade to restore public transit?
Quebec’s transport ministry says it will take a decade for public transit to return to its pre‑pandemic numbers. Or is this just an excuse to underfund transit for ten years? The CAQ method of calculation ignores the key point that if you allow transit to decline, fewer people will be willing to rely on it, so that over time the whole thing goes into a downward spiral.
mare 13:44 on 2023-06-19 Permalink
This is a warning shot for when the REM isn’t going to make enough money because of fewer passengers and will require further subsidies.
“Our contract couldn’t predict the changed transport situation due to a pandemic, etc etc.”
qatzelok 14:30 on 2023-06-19 Permalink
Hopefully, if the REM can’t find enough passengers to make money for the CDPQ, a non-compliant government that actually represents the majority of Quebecois will offer to buy it at a discount. These are rare.
But rational policy can only be formulated by a non-bought-and-paid-for government, which Québec hasn’t had in decades. The current Housing Minister is all too typical of the kind of governance we have been subjected to.
https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/quebec-solidaire-slams-housing-minister-after-link-to-house-flipping-project-surfaces-1.6445229
And previous Transportation Ministers:
https://www.lapresse.ca/auto/actualites/201901/01/01-5209699-la-nouvelle-mission-automobile-de-robert-poeti.php
Ian 17:43 on 2023-06-20 Permalink
On the subject of the housing minister…
https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/politique/2023-06-20/la-commissaire-a-l-ethique-ouvre-une-enquete-sur-la-ministre-duranceau.php
Michael 17:54 on 2023-06-20 Permalink
If ridership goes down, so should the # of routes to save the city/province money.
Ridership isn’t going to go back to pre-pandemic levels just like office towers won’t get back to prepandemic foot traffic.
EmilyG 21:55 on 2023-06-20 Permalink
The number of routes should not go down. Unless maybe the bus system is reconfigured to still cover all the area that bus routes have covered.
carswell 09:42 on 2023-06-21 Permalink
If ridership goes down, we should adopt policies and practices — congestion charges and higher licensing fees — that encourage public transit use and are better for the global and urban environment.
carswell 09:48 on 2023-06-21 Permalink
Meant to add “for example’ after “higher licensing fees.” Another example would be tolls. And the proceeds should be directed toward improving public transit: more frequent service, increased security, more comfortable interiors, extended hours, etc.