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On the same side of the same issue, Mr. Jim Jaworski.
In the 5 minutes slot, Jim?
Go ahead.
Ok.
For light rail transit activists like myself, a question must be asked forthwith: "Is it
time to dance in the streets of Winnipeg yet?" I say not quite yet. A few things must happen
before we can.
Firstly, the main problem with getting light rail transit off the ground here has come
down to that agreement signed by former MP Lloyd Axworthy, signed December 8, 1983. It's
so-called 'deal' precluded any other mode except diesel buses for use in the southwest
transit corridor.
I've concluded that a person could talk to the politicians till blue in the face on the
benefits of rail-transit, but until the Liberals do something about their busway or no way
attitude, nothing will help to resolve this issue.
In order to fix this problem then, the Liberal Party of Canada and possibly the provincial
branch, must revise its policies to include rail-based transit for Winnipeg.
The idea was that New Flyer, being based in Manitoba could benefit, sorry, could build
fancier diesel buses or electric trolleybuses because they would be eligible for Federal
funds from the Western Economic Diversification fund.
The problem with buses though is that they aren't very comfortable for its passengers,
mainly when accelerating and decelerating, cannot easily position itself reliably close
to the curb, will last only 12 years to 20 years, and cost 3x as much in labour costs
to haul 150 passengers.
The two largest rail transit manufacturers, namely Bombardier and Siemens, can build an
LRT vehicle that allows for 40 years and costs $1.5 million. A diesel bus for the southwest
transit corridor, was recently estimated to cost $1.25 million.
The important thing to understand is that if Winnipeg goes with light rail for its rapid
transit system, New Flyer will not be in a disadvantage, they will remain the leading
bus manufacturer in North America. Nothing is going to change that soon. And they can
still manufacture diesel buses for use on feeder bus routes to rapid transit stations.
And for other cities' urban transit fleets.
New Flyer won't go out of business when Winnipeg chooses light rail transit. Rail transit can
attract more riders than BRT ever will. Other rail transit systems have proven that more
than 50% of new riders in the short term are auto-capable but choose to leave their autos
at home.
In the longer term, rail-based transit can double the system-wide total passengers.
Imagine WT reporting 90 million passengers 10 years from now rather than the 38 million
they do now.
And in our Winter climate, only a rail-based vehicle can pass thru blizzard conditions.
A rubber-tired bus will get stuck in a blizzard, relegating it to no better operating conditions
than the private auto.
And staying on that topic of Winter, diesel buses need heated indoor storage, or else
their engines won't start.
In comparison, a rail vehicle can stay outdoors because its propulsion is based on electricity,
thereby making it cheaper to store.
Secondly, Mayor Sam Katz's Rapid Transit Task Force must be very careful to who it tenders
it consulting work. The consulting company who wrote the Cost-Benefit Analysis released
this year on the Southwest Corridor was selected by WT administration that is pro-busway consulting
company McCormick-Rankin of Ottawa Ontario, who also had something to do with the Ottawa
Transitway.
Winnipeg Transit must not be allowed to be directly involved in this part of the process,
else its inherent lack of objectivity will see busways recommended again.
The same company had also been given the consulting job for the Downtown Connector Service, and
whose still unreleased recommendations were weak in reviewing streetcar, tram and tarted
up buses as options.
Mayor Katz please, please, please, be careful out there when choosing consultants regarding
rapid transit. You're on the right track here.
Consultants get paid too much to begin with. And it'd be too bad if they came out with
weak recommendations or the process, or sorry, or the persons writing the report had some
strange connections to McCormick-Rankin or their like.
Thirdly, Calgary's C-Train upgrade to a system to use wind power to generate electricity
to run its light-rail vehicles. I hope that Winnipeg's light rail line can be operated
using renewable wind energy too.
In 2002 the Victoria Transport Institute did a study saying, OK, I'm almost finished here.
In 2002 the Victoria Transport Institute did a study saying that an 18 KM light rail transit
line would cost $350 M to install and $12 M per year to operate, would attract 15,000
daily trips and grow to 30,000 trips within 10 years.
That's the power of light rail transit to enhance an urban area's travel options. And
our Southwest Corridor is, uh, smaller than that, it's about 12 KM's. So we may even be
able to do it cheaper, even for a lower price than $350 M.
Thank you. Ok. Ok, one more paragraph.
Thank you City Council for holding to the idea that BRT won't work and keeping the flame
alive for light rail transit in Winnipeg.
Thank you.
Thank you.