No. H034/02For release - March 26, 2002
OTTAWA — Transport Minister David Collenette today announced the release of three studies examining urban transit in Canada. Transport Canada commissioned the studies as part of the Government of Canada's commitment to help improve public transit infrastructure, as highlighted in last year's Speech From the Throne.
The studies will help develop a national perspective on the needs and priorities of the transit industry and provide a better understanding of urban transit issues from an environmental and sustainable development viewpoint.
"A key element of improving urban transit for Canadians is fully understanding the current situation, the challenges and the possibilities," said Mr. Collenette. "The studies released today provide useful information and tools to better understand and promote the important role played by urban transit in developing a more sustainable urban transportation system in Canada."
The studies are:
National Vision for Transit in Canada to 2020, by IBI Group, which analyses long-term trends, international case studies and existing municipal vision statements, and proposes targets for urban transit ridership.
Urban Transit in Canada - Taking Stock, by McCormick Rankin Corp., which describes the current state of the Canadian transit industry, historic trends in provincial and municipal funding of urban transit, and assesses its future needs.
Economic Study to Establish a Cost-Benefit Framework for the Evaluation of Various Types of Transit Investments, by HLB Decision Economics Inc., which provides an analytical framework to assess transit investments.
Transport Canada worked closely with the Canadian Urban Transit Association and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, as well as other federal departments, in defining the scope of these studies.
The consultants' studies provide the groundwork and framework for further assessment by the various stakeholders of the future of urban transportation in Canada. The complexity of the issue requires in-depth study to ensure the right decisions are made. For each urban centre, there are different solutions, dependent on various factors and scenarios. Transport Canada intends to make the economic model developed by the consultants available to stakeholders to facilitate the assessment process.
The teamwork approach taken by the Government of Canada and the various stakeholders to focus on the issues and the completion of these studies have brought all those involved closer to defining solutions for urban transportation in Canada. The follow-up discussions on the consultants' studies will continue the progress.
The studies are among a number of federal initiatives in progress to examine urban transportation, including the recommendations of the Canada Transportation Act Review Panel, and the Transportation Blueprint exercise which is currently under way.
The studies will also be provided to the Prime Minister's Caucus Task Force on Urban Issues whose mandate is to explore how the Government of Canada can work more collaboratively within federal jurisdiction to strengthen the quality of life in our large urban centres. The task force is currently consulting with citizens, experts, and other orders of government to examine a number of issues, including urban transit. It is expected to deliver an interim report in April 2002, and a final report in December 2002.
For more information, please refer to the attached backgrounder.
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Contact:
Anthony PolciDirector of CommunicationsOffice of the Minister, Ottawa(613) 991-0700
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BACKGROUNDERSTUDIES ON URBAN TRANSIT IN CANADA
Transport Canada commissioned three studies to follow up on the Government of Canada's commitment in the 2001 Speech From the Throne to "co-operate with provincial and municipal partners to help improve public transit infrastructure."
National Vision for Transit in Canada to 2020, by IBI Group, calls for a system that is:
capable of providing the speed, capacity, frequency, coverage and connectivity necessary for access to all activities in urban areas with service that is safe, comfortable and convenient;
compatible with communities that support a vibrant economy, safe streets, people-friendly places, and a high quality of life;
energy-efficient and clean in terms of waste products; and
cost-efficient in service delivery, appropriate and affordable in pricing, and adequate and predictable in its funding arrangement.
Urban Transit in Canada - Taking Stock, by McCormick Rankin Corp., describes the current state of the Canadian transit industry and assesses its future pressure points and needs. The study identified four key challenges in meeting the vision scenario: more supportive demand management is required, access to capital funding for infrastructure investment, adequate operating funding, and larger, more durable fleets.
Economic Study to Establish a Cost-Benefit Framework for the Evaluation of Various Types of Transit Investments, by HLB Decision Economics Inc., developed a model to assess the economic feasibility of transit system expansion or rehabilitation. The model takes into account important benefits of transit investment, such as time-savings, lower emissions of greenhouse gases and other contaminants, fewer accidents, better mobility and improved community connections.
Additional information on these studies is available on the Transport Canada Web site at
www.tc.gc.ca/eng/policy/acs-transitstudies-menu-639.htm.
March 2002
