Solv.’s Post

The current U.S. transit crisis, accelerated by drops in ridership and the end of pandemic-era assistance, highlights deeper structural problems. Researchers recommend diversifying funding sources, creating rapid bus routes, encouraging dense development, and being transparent about potential cuts to address these challenges. https://lnkd.in/g4qNuEi4 #TransitCrisis #FundingDiversity #RapidBusRoutes #UrbanDevelopment #TransitSustainability

The Tale of Two Cities Zürich and Boston One has a policy of constant improvement to transit The other does not... guess which is which just from today's Headlines Boston Traffic in the Boston area got worse in 2023, study shows "In Boston, where we’re a very suburban commuter-heavy downtown, we rely a lot on people taking the commuter rail in to come to work,” Wu (Mayor of Boston) told the Herald. “When the T isn’t what people want it to be, that just exacerbates the challenge."" Zürich ZVV financial year 2023: More passengers and a lower deficit "2023 was a successful year for ZVV: 655 million passengers used public transport – an increase of over 10 percent compared to the previous year. The deficit was also reduced by 12 million francs to 383.2 million francs compared to 2022. The progress in terms of sustainability is also encouraging: there are more and more battery-powered buses on the road in the ZVV area, which brings us closer to the goal of CO2-neutral bus transport by 2040."

No matter where you live in BC, you should be able to get where you need to go — safely, affordably and reliably. And public transit should be there for you. Today, along with the BC Office of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, we're releasing a 10-year vision for public transit, written by one of their senior economists, Marc Lee. It's the result of intense collaboration with unions and community groups throughout BC. With this plan, we can fill the gaps left by years of neglect and privatization under past BC Liberal governments, and build on the important transit investments our current provincial government has made. And we can unite local and regional transit into an integrated, sustainable, zero-carbon whole. Our plan calls for immediate action on three key priorities: ✅ an inter-community express bus service connecting BC communities that were left stranded by the end of BC Rail passenger service and the departure of Greyhound. ✅ eliminating privatization throughout BC’s public transit systems to ensure better, more reliable services for riders, and fairer benefits and wages for transit workers. ✅ extending the provincial government’s free transit program to cover all British Columbians 18 and younger. In the longer term, the plan includes a dramatic expansion and electrification of BC Transit’s bus and HandyDART fleet, new regional rail and passenger ferry connections, accelerating Metro Vancouver’s transit plans and integrating transit systems to allow seamless travel throughout BC. Check out the plan here! #BCPoli #BCLab #PublicTransit

The future of mobility in the Bay Area is looking uncertain due to extreme disconnect. In reality, the Bay Area needs extreme commitment to improving public transit, but many investors are distracted by crazy visions of building new cities from scratch. We need to see serious investments and dedication to improving the Bay Area’s current public transportation while introducing new micro-mobility systems for greater accesiaiblity for all. On the other hand, building new cities will only segment the population further while failing to solve the transportation crisis that is crippling the U.S. #PublicTransportation #Mobility

“As the rising cost of living continues to impact US households, #publictransportation offers an economical and climate-friendly alternative to reduce daily expenses.” - Paul P. Skoutelas, American Public Transportation Association 👉 https://lnkd.in/dBH7ghrn #publictransport #transit #transportation

WILL GREATER VICTORIA TRANSIT AUTHORITY LEAD TO REGIONAL RAIL? "Capital Regional District mulling regional transit authority that could effectively push for bigger projects Taking transit in the Greater Victoria region can be a great way to get around — if you live near a route with frequent bus service. But service is so sparse in some areas outside the region's core that some people would have to drive to get to their nearest bus stop, says transit user Emily Lowan, who lived in rural Saanich when CBC interviewed her earlier this year. "The vast majority of car users and people that we need using our transit systems just don't have that accessibility [of a nearby bus stop]," said Lowan, who has advocated for improved transit in the region as a climate campaigner and a member of the University of Victoria's student government. She added that she'd like to see frequency and late-night bus service improved, as well. There are now hopes that such improvements — and more — could soon be in the works as the Capital Regional District (CRD), the regional body that represents 13 municipalities in Greater Victoria, considers creating a transit authority. Transit advocates told CBC's This is Vancouver Island podcast that this could someday lead to new modes of transit like light rail, but added that even smaller upgrades like rapid-bus lanes could make service better for everyone. The CRD began looking late last year at establishing an authority that would make planning and transit decisions on behalf of the region, as well as advocating for infrastructure funding — like TransLink does in Metro Vancouver." 🚂 TransLink was formed after Vancouver's West Coast Express train was put in place by BC Transit. Simplify Transit planning with a Vancouver Island Transit Authority. The E&N represents the first steps in establishing a cohesive system of Transit from Courtenay and Port Alberni all the way to Victoria. A transit authority isn't just a good idea, it's a great idea! Make it so! Over 16,368 people agree, Sign on today. Help make this happen! https://chng.it/HTPJ25CqPr All Aboard! Restore Island Rail https://lnkd.in/gy9WBzcw #transit #authority

Tale of Three Cities? Good to have media interest in new transit lines (this one just out: https://lnkd.in/g_tts45w), but beware of apples-oranges comparisons! Montreal's REM: it has surely helped in mitigating opening delays that this is a close system in a fully exclusive right-of-way, with no at-grade crossing. With these characteristics and stations far apart, it can hardly be called a Light Rail Transit system (much more like a mini-metro, or just regular metro for that matter), but academic as that may be, the point is that it has required essentially no technological integration with other systems. Ottawa's O-Train Line 1: on the one hand it was laid out on an already existing right-of-way (the exclusive Bus Rapid Transit "Transitway") but on the other involved a new 2.5km-long deep tunnel. Notwithstanding that great opportunities were missed to think differently about some of its conception design, its definite Achilles' heel in terms of delays and on-going risks is that the rolling stock chosen was never operated in service anywhere else. Toronto's Eglington Crosstown line: not to excuse chronic delays on the way to opening, but half of it is in tunnel and particularly complex. Media will report things like "260 defects" outstanding on the 98%-completed line, without any context; how good or bad is this out of a system that may have had tens of thousands of elements to deliver? Too bad that the referenced article would not mention the Region of Waterloo's ION LRT line, which has now been successfully operating for 4 years. One last point: misconceptions about public-private partnerships (PPPs) abound and are persistent. These are fundamentally about transferring risks, to private companies that design, build and/or operate new specialized infrastructure for a living, from tax-funded public organizations that do not have that expertise internally. Rather than dealing with just "suppliers", PPPs have the private providers involved with stronger stakes in such large and complex projects as some of the above. The real issue will typically remain highly critical systems integration. No guarantee of course that there may not ultimately be litigation, but dispute resolution mechanisms may arguably be way more spelled out in a PPP contract that they may be between suppliers and clients, let alone between public organizations among themselves... I have been on both sides of the public-private counter and do not "favour" any one camp more than the other, but gauging the mistrust sometimes expressed toward private company involvement in large projects nowadays, I can't help remembering the '90s in Montreal when all the construction issues then surfacing around the 1976 Olympic Stadium had some of the public opinion cry out for privatization of the whole facility as a panacea.

A transit system is a network of transportation services fostering smooth mobility, affordability, and reliability. It facilitates safe, inclusive, convenient, and cost-effective ways to travel or run errands, leading to a better quality of life. #DYK, there is an increase of about 83.2 percent in people using public transportation services from 2021 to 2023. The data indicates efficient transit system is the need of the hour, ensuring commuters can spend more time with their loved ones doing what they like to do and stay connected. (Source: Stats Canada)  Our government is committed to working towards expanding and building local transit to connect commuters to ‘where they need to go and when they need to be there, significantly enhancing public transit experience and building more connected communities.’ We are making the largest transit investment in Canadian history by investing about $70 billion to transform public transit in the province. Learn More: https://lnkd.in/gdiuhu2D  #StrongerOntario #BetterTransit #Workingtogether #HazelMcCallionLRT

For the third consecutive year, we’ve worked with TransLink to develop their annual Transit Service Performance Review (TSPR). The 2023 TSPR ties together key system statistics into an holistic story about significant changes and challenges across Metro Vancouver’s transit system. Story highlights include:   ⬆️ Growing Demand: The Metro Vancouver area saw an influx of 90,000 new residents in 2023—almost double the anticipated 50,000, and signalling a sharp rise in transit demand. ⬆️ Ridership Surge: Transit journeys in Metro Vancouver soared to over 233 million last year, marking a robust 20.5% increase from 2022. ⬆️ Overcrowding: Customers are experiencing record levels of overcrowding, highlighting the need for continued investment in TransLink’s network and services.   In response to these regional changes and challenges, TransLink’s 2024 Investment Plan targets service improvements on 60 bus routes, extended service hours, and enhanced infrastructure to support the region’s rapid growth and commitment to sustainability.    Developing robust monitoring and evaluation programs for transit systems is an essential part of ensuring the investments made in new services deliver the best results possible. Access is pleased to continue to support TransLink in making sure its resources deliver value for Metro Vancouver communities and transit users.   Click below to read the 2023 TSPR.

10 good ideas. All we need is the political will, realizing how vital an issue sustainable urban mobility is.