I was at the transit forum Wednesday evening, January 23rd.
The audience was solidly in favour of a light rail system out to Chilliwack along the old valley transit lines. The only problem, a rather large problem, is that this is not the philosophy of the provincial government which would rather increase the traffic struggling into Vancouver. Hopefully the provincial government, particularly Transport Minister Kevin Falcon, will open their ears to listen to common sense.
And no, making that statement is not a result of using mind altering substances. With changing economic circumstances reality can only be denied for so long. Maybe I should have said – hopefully before it is to late ….
The bad news is that it was made clear that the province requires “partnerships” if municipalities wish provincial funds for projects. What that mean is that cities must be willing to invest/spend their own money on any project they seek provincial funds on.
This “put your money where your mouth is” policy is not unreasonable, even though it unfortunately bodes ill for Abbotsford in getting provincial funding. I say bodes ill because with the financial debt burden city hall has assumed with Plan A, there is not likely going to be any funds available to “partner” with the provincial government.
Leaving infrastructure unbuilt and provincial funds not coming to Abbotsford thus rendering the “legacy” of Plan A all the missed opportunities for provincial funds and needed infrastructure unbuilt.
I do have one suggestion for a novel approach by Abbotsford city hall to transit planning vis-à-vis the ever lengthening commute to work in Vancouver – attract business and good, well-paying jobs to Abbotsford. I know this is a major policy and behaviour change – to encourage rather than discouraging and not raising barriers to businesses bringing jobs to Abbotsford.
Who knows, such a rational response may even penetrate the provincial government and encourage them to think and plan about commuting and traffic flow rather than blindly slapping down more highways and byways.