Winnipeg Rapid Transit Coalition

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• St. Vital Candidate Rapid Transit Responses

  ST. VITAL CIVIC BY-ELECTION CANDIDATES SHOW STRONG SUPPORT FOR RAPID TRANSIT WINNIPEG, Manitoba (November 23, 2011) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: A survey of candidates for the November 26th St. Vital civic by-election shows strong support to expand rapid transit in Winnipeg beginning with completion of Phase Two of the Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor. The survey, undertaken by the Winnipeg Rapid Transit Coalition (WRTC), asked candidates vying to replace former City Councillor Gord Steeves in the St. Vital ward about their views on rapid transit in Winnipeg. The survey was sent to all candidates vying to replace former City Councillor Gord Steeves in the St. Vital ward. It asked them about their views on rapid transit in Winnipeg. “We are pleased that the four candidates who responded to our questionnaire have all indicated their commitment to move forward with rapid transit in our city,” noted WRTC spokesperson Paul Hesse. “We encourage the residents of St. Vital to seriously consider the platforms of each of the candidates and to support a candidate who supports a modern and efficient rapid transit system for the City of Winnipeg.” The four candidates who responded to the WRTC questionnaire were Steven Hennessey, Hammad Khan, Brian Mayes, Carl Osato, and Harry Wolbert. Candidates who declined to respond to the Coalition’s questionnaire were Mike Ducharme, Marty Green, Greg Nordman, Terry Wachniak and Beverley Watson. The Winnipeg Rapid Transit Coalition is a grassroots organization focused on improving public transportation in Winnipeg. Founded December 2007, it partners with other organizations to advocate for development of an effective rapid transit system in Winnipeg. NOTE: For a full listing of the questions asked by the WRTC and responses from the candidates, please see the attachment. Contact information: For further information or interview, contact Paul Hesse (204) 951-1697. --30-- WRTC Rapid Transit Questionnaire: Candidate Reponses for the St. Vital Ward Civic By-Election Question #1: Do you support the completion of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Route to the University of Manitoba? Carl Osato: Yes I do support the Rapid Transit route to U of M. I very much am for finishing of this project to start showing the public how effective Rapid Transit can work and that we need to continue to keep the city focussed on progressing throughout the rest of the city. Hammad Khan: Yes I do. It is very important that rapid transit is completed to the U of M but I will also fight for St. Vital to be included in the next phase of rapid transit as well. An improved transit system will ease some of the traffic concerns we face in the ward. Brian Mayes: Yes I support the extension. I would prefer light rail to bus, but if the only way to get it done for now is a bus route then I would support that option. In my second leaflet I clearly indicate my support for this expansion. In its current form (stopping at Jubilee) the BRT is "the carousel that goes half-way round" to use a friend's term. Harry Wolbert: Yes, I support the completion of this project all the way to the University of Manitoba. Steven Hennessey: Yes, and it should have been completed by now. This also should have been a part of the new stadium proposal which needed to include accessible transit to and from the stadium. Question #2: Do you support the City of Winnipeg's Transportation Master Plan proposal to expand rapid transit corridors to other parts of the city? Carl Osato: Yes, this is key to our growth in the city. It is an amazing sell for our residents, tourism and new immigrants to the city. It improves efficiencies within the city and will hopefully start to ease the traffic congestions around the city, or at least hold them to what they are while we grow as a city. Hammad Khan: Certainly there are issues with parts of the TMP. I do however support expanding rapid transit to other parts of Winnipeg. If elected a major priority of my term is to ensure St. Vital is included in phase II of Winnipeg’s rapid transit plan. Brian Mayes: I support the Master Plan, though details of certain routes would need to be discussed with the affected communities. Steven Hennessey: I support the plan in principle but with no way of securing financing for the plan it does not seem attainable at this time. In order for us to continue with the Master Transportation Plan we require ongoing consultation with the communities involved. This will take considerable effort from all 3 levels of government and the citizens of Winnipeg to see this long term plan through. Harry Wolbert: Yes, I do. Question #3: How committed are you to improving public transportation in Winnipeg and the expansion of rapid transportation? Carl Osato: I am very committed to this. I have seen some great transportation in other cities, such as Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary. Very positive effect for tourism and showing that we are a city that is aware of its growth and can effectively plan for it. Having vision for the future is important and improving transportation and public ones at that should be a major priority of any city of our size. Hammad Khan: I am very committed to the improvement of Winnipeg’s public transit system. Public transit eases the burden we place on our crumbling streets and reduces the amount of traffic we will face. Building more heated bus shelters, clearing snow at bus stops, and increasing the accessibility of public transportation in our community are all issues I support. Brian Mayes: I am very committed to improving and expanding rapid transportation. I have already encouraged the option of a super express bus that would run downtown from the St. Vital Centre. When I worked as a lawyer in downtown Winnipeg I took the bus, and always appreciated getting the 58 express as opposed to the 16. Compared to the same bus trip I used to make to go downtown to U of W (thirty years ago), the express system is much better. However, we have not kept pace with other cities like Ottawa and Edmonton over the past thirty years in terms of light rail and dedicated bus routes. Winnipeg has grown to a point where these alternatives should be introduced, not talked about for another 30 years. Harry Wolbert: When I ran as a candidate for city council and again this fall as a candidate in the 2011 provincial election, I made improving public transportation (including rapid transit) a part of both my platforms. I have NOT wavered in my commitment to this issue. Our city needs a rapid transit system! Steven Hennessey: I want to see our current transit system revisited and revised. We need to invite the public to voice their concerns and suggest ways we can improve our transportation system. We should have more buses on the road so that we can reduce the amount of cars travelling in our corridors. In order to reduce congestion we need an active, accessible and available transit system for everyone. The expansion of the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRT) should coincide with other projects that will increase bike lanes and other needed road infrastructure projects. We can then better reduce the congestion in those areas. We can no longer piecemeal projects together. Question #4: What is your vision for public transportation in Winnipeg? Carl Osato: I see us moving forward in rapid transit in the city. Ideally a line to the airport to downtown should be the next phase. At the same time, new infrastructure along with current infrastructure need to be part of any plan as the public transit will need to be on these roads. I see a lot more park and rides within suburbs that connect us with the rapid transit lines. I see us looking at possible LRT in the future also for at least one line down Portage to the airport. I see it as a strong alternative to commuting with cars. I see a transit station downtown connecting all lines and connecting the main downtown buildings so people do not have to go outside for catching the bus/train. Our winters can cause havoc waiting for buses. I see a better feeder system to our main areas within the city. I see the main areas having heated waiting areas. I see the future of public transportation as an option just as good if not better that driving in the minds of the public. Hammad Khan: Whatever age, wherever you live, there ought to be a quick, efficient, cost-effective, environmentally friendly way of getting around. Enhancing rapid transit not only helps ease Winnipeg’s traffic concerns but also brings us up to date with other major cities in Canada in terms of transportation. If I am elected St. Vital City Councillor, I will ensure public transportation remains an important issue at the council level. Brian Mayes: My vision would be to try to implement the Master Plan, though this will obviously take some time. As the city sprawls we need to look at the options other cities have adopted and already implemented, like light rail and dedicated bus routes to reduce congestion and reduce greenhouse gases. Harry Wolbert: My vision for Winnipeg includes a safe, accessible and affordable public transportation system. And rapid transit is an integral part of such a transportation system. Steven Hennessey: Our public transportation system needs to be vibrant, viable and delivered with long term vision. This vision takes commitment and we need to focus on how we can see these plans through but we also must do this with our infrastructure costs in mind. We should encourage alternate forms of transportation and allow for continued growth of our BRT system. I would like to see our BRT System connected to all major corridors of the city and want a system that connects our downtown to everyone. We can increase ridership, reduce traffic congestion and help our downtown thrive again. Let’s make our transportation system the pride of our city and not a have to system.
  

• State of Rapid Transit

  On February 4, Mayor Sam Katz made his annual State of the City address. In his address he expressed his excitement about what the future holds for the City of Winnipeg. The Winnipeg Rapid Transit Coalition shares his excitement. However, three and a half months after a civic election in which rapid transit was an issue, we are disappointed that there was no mention of rapid transit in his address. Mayor Katz mentioned virtually every other major project planned or imagined for Winnipeg, but failed to mention the following significant items: 1) Phase I of rapid transit from The Forks to Jubilee Avenue will become operational around November of this year. After decades of delays, this completed project will show Winnipeggers the benefits associated with rapid transit, from efficient transportation, transit oriented development in places like the Fort Rouge rail yards, and the state-of-the art design of many of the rapid transit stations. 2) However, with the opening of the transitway to Jubilee Avenue, The Southwest Transit Corridor will be only half-way complete. The completion of the Corridor to the University of Manitoba would serve the rapidly growing commuter population in Southwest Winnipeg and the large student populations at the University of Manitoba and the University of Winnipeg. It would also serve the new stadium at the University of Manitoba, helping address the traffic and parking concerns that have been expressed by local residents. 3) Phase I of the Rapid Transit system, successful as it will be, is the first of many steps that must be taken towards building a comprehensive rapid transit system for the entire City of Winnipeg. Rapid Transit would provide more transportation options, saving time, reducing congestion and enhancing the quality of life. Even tourists will be pleased to find more convenient and efficient transportation options when they visit our city. 4) A well-designed rapid transit system would make Winnipeg into the world class city Katz envisions. Most major Canadian cities are actively expanding their transit networks, and Winnipeg could easily be among them – senior levels of government have already offered the City of Winnipeg the necessary funds. We encourage Mayor Katz to continue to dream big for Winnipeg. However, dreaming big for Winnipeg must include rapid transit. It's time to get Winnipeg moving.
  

• Capital Budget Consultations

  The City of Winnipeg is holding consultations for the Capital Budget for 2011. The extension of Rapid Transit is currently not on the agenda. We encourage everyone to attend one of the two consultations listed below and request this addition: December 6, 2010 Sturgeon Heights Community Centre 210 Rita Street 7-9 PM December 9, 2010 Winnipeg Convention Centre 6-8 PM