We need fewer cars: Fitzgibbon
It feels like everyone’s been surprised by Pierre Fitzgibbon’s recent statement that Quebec should have half the cars it currently does. Not surprisingly, François Legault is temporizing like crazy, saying he doesn’t want to force this on people. Gabriel Nadeau‑Dubois points out that people need alternatives, but even where there are alternatives, there’s a strong tendency for people to drive for their own convenience.
I’ve always said we were mad to issue unlimited numbers of driving permits from the beginning. Now that seems normal. There’s no reason why it should be.
In related news, Quebec and Ottawa are making a generous gift to Ford to persuade them to build an EV battery plant in Bécancour.
Marco 12:51 on 2023-08-17 Permalink
Roughly 100,000 cars are added to Quebec roads every year, year after year. He’s not wrong but we not only need to reduce or at least slow down the increase in the numbers but the size of cars as well. The number of large SUV’s have increased 25% in 5 years (statcan.gc.ca). I’m glad he recognizes that this isn’t sustainable but there are no solutions that will be popular with the CAQ base.
Anton 14:00 on 2023-08-17 Permalink
A friend of mine used to drive from the Plateau to his office im the old port near city hall.
Daisy 14:54 on 2023-08-17 Permalink
Unlimited driving permits is fine (assuming competent drivers). Unlimited cars is not.
Kate 15:24 on 2023-08-17 Permalink
OK granted, limit the number of plates available.
Blork 15:32 on 2023-08-17 Permalink
Transit and cycling improvements are definitely the main thing that can be done to improve that situation. But there will always be exceptions and dead zones.
Like Anton’s friend, I used to drive from the Plateau to work in the Cité Multimedia back in the 90s. Not because I was a car fan, but because these were my options:
-> Walk = 45-50 minutes.
-> Public transit = 35-40 minutes (of which almost 30 minutes was walking).
-> Drive = 12-15 minutes.
Transit has probably improved a bit since then. Bike path infrastructure certainly has. If my live/work situation was the same now definitely wouldn’t drive. I’d probably bike in the summer and WFH in the winter. My point being that there are situations where public transit and other non-car situations just don’t work.
Ephraim 11:23 on 2023-08-18 Permalink
And let’s not mention that this city has not sat down and done a comprehensive rework of bus routes in a LONG LONG time. Maybe the 24 should end at the Sherbrooke Metro and the 185 start there… but we haven’t don anything to see where and why a route is the way it is, today.
Forgetful 12:53 on 2023-08-18 Permalink
@Ephraim every transit agencies are working on a bus network redesign. it’s an ongoing project. https://parlons-en.stm.info/