If existing lanes were further dedicated for transit on Greater VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 major roadways, Eric Doherty says more people would be motivated to take the bus and it would lead to better local air quality, fewer serious crashes causing injuries or deaths and bolstered mental health as residents enjoy quieter streets.
B次元官网网址淔or decades, weB次元官网网址檝e been planning for more cars and itB次元官网网址檚 a bit of a challenging mindset-shift, but thereB次元官网网址檚 huge benefits with planning for a future with fewer cars,B次元官网网址� the Climate Justice Victoria member said in an interview with Black Press Media.
HeB次元官网网址檚 supporting a petition calling on the District of Saanich to show climate leadership by creating dedicated bus lanes on McKenzie Avenue as soon as possible. It looks to spur the change on all four-laned-or-wider sections of McKenzie this year to create better linkages with the University of Victoria.
Saanich told Black Press Media those changes wonB次元官网网址檛 be happening this year as such a move would be pre-mature amid larger land-use planning efforts already in the works.
While understanding big urban planning efforts take time, the districtB次元官网网址檚 position is disappointing for UVic student Mary Stuart, who notes many of her post-secondary peers rely on transit for commuting to campus or wherever they need to go.
B次元官网网址淲hat weB次元官网网址檙e talking about here is literally painting lines on the road to do something that will improve transit, reduce traffic and reduce emissions, so I think itB次元官网网址檚 disappointing and I donB次元官网网址檛 understand why that canB次元官网网址檛 be done while they continue to work on longer term plans,B次元官网网址� Stuart said.
As someone whoB次元官网网址檚 concerned about the climate crisis, Stuart wants to see her community take policy actions that tackle greenhouse gas emissions.
B次元官网网址淲e know too that dedicated bus lanes do lead to some traffic evaporation and there are some students who feel like they have no other option but to drive,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淲e know dedicated bus lanes will help that commute but also make transit a better option for people.B次元官网网址�
Saanich says its Mackenzie RapidBus Corridor Study is the long-term vision for the corridor and it will provide: walking and cycling infrastructure, facilitate RapidBus service from Uptown to UVic, identify RapidBus station locations and enhances tree planting opportunities.
The study is the main technical aspect of the districtB次元官网网址檚 Quadra McKenzie Plan, which is focused on guiding land-use and transportation changes over the next 20 years. A Saanich spokesperson said the district intends to have a draft version of the plan ready for public consultation this summer, while the finalized version will include updating the districtB次元官网网址檚 official community plan.
The spokesperson added that implementing RapidBus service, like the one that has begun rolling out between Victoria and the West Shore, on a stretch known as the McKenzie Line is likely two to five years away and is dependent on funding from various levels of government. That funding is needed for constructing the bus lanes and for increasing BC Transit service levels on them to ensure the routes are utilized appropriately.
Doherty countered that simply painting some existing traffic lanes to reallocate them for transit would be a quick and inexpensive solution, and would offer improved service with the current amount of buses on the routes. While he called the Quadra McKenzie Plan widely supported, Doherty said Saanich will miss its climate and mode share targets if the changes only happen in conjunction with other large projects.
B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e proposing to do it over decades,B次元官网网址� he said.
The transit advocate uses Boston, Mass. as an example of a city that quickly painted bus-only lanes and saw success in getting people moving. Taking that approach on McKenzie would reduce bus overcrowding during peak travel times, get people to their destination quicker and save families money by allowing them to downsize to fewer vehicles, he said.
A Capital Regional District report from 2020 found B次元官网网址渉igher transportation costs are largely a product of vehicle ownership.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a reward for doing the environmentally responsible thing,B次元官网网址� Doherty said, adding that better transit on McKenzie would also alleviate the B次元官网网址楥olwood crawlB次元官网网址� and the need for parking at UVic.
B次元官网网址淚f you get more service, faster service, reliable service, more people will ride and some of those people will choose to leave cars behind.B次元官网网址�
Saanich taking action would hopefully inspire surrounding communities to make similar changes, Doherty said, noting a priority would be Victoria expanding bus-priority lanes downtown on Douglas Street.
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