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In the USA, federal and
state financial support averages 24% of the cost of
operating their public transit systems. The
European G7 countries provide between 15% and 30%
of the operating costs. "Canadian cities are
competing at a tremendous disadvantage with other
cities around the world,." Dr. Roschlau
said.
"Our federal and provincial
governments should be providing the kinds of
support for urban transit that our foreign
competitors enjoy,"he said. CUTA and Pollution
Probe today released the report Trans-Action 2001,
http://www.cutaactu.on.ca/index2.htm
based on the Transit Summits sponsored by the two
organizations last April. "Public transit means
cleaner air, a healthier city and a city that works
better," said Ken Ogilvie, Executive Director of
Pollution Probe.
"Transportation capacity
does create a natural limit to growth. The way to
remove that limit is to improve transportation
services," said Brian Bourne of KPMG in a report to
the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton. He
pointed to Manhattan as an example of a city with
an extensive public transit system that facilitates
tremendous economic activity. Long commutes to work
are wasteful, and are a disincentive to attracting
skilled workers. Efficient movement of goods is
necessary for today's businesses in an era of
just-in-time delivery.
Business investment is at
stake. "When companies decide to locate to a city,
they are considering factors such as transportation
infrastructure and the quality of life for their
employees Ö If we want to sell head offices,
if we want call centres, if we want to be a
company's transportation hub / transportation
infrastructure is critical,î said Elyse
Allan, President and CEO of the Toronto Board of
Trade.
Canadian tax law and
government policies actually now encourage
inefficient, highly polluting automobile commuting,
while discouraging efficient, cleaner public
transit. An example would be that most employees
get free parking at work, but if an employer
provides transit passes to their workers, it is a
taxable benefit. Overall transit funding in Canada
has declined 25% over the past five years. Recent
comments by Transportation Minister David
Collenette give cause for hope.
"The federal government
really does have a role in making sure that goods
get to market, that our cities do not become overly
polluted- the federal government wants to be part
of the solution," the minister said earlier this
month. "It's time to end the neglect of public
transit. It's time for Ottawa and the provinces to
start thinking big about public transit," Mr.
Ogilvie said. "In Toronto, the TTC is already
facing potentially insurmountable financial
challenges. Our health, our environment and our
prosperity are at stake."
"Public transit funding is a
win-win for the environment and the economy," he
said. Mr. Ogilvie and Dr. Roschlau outlined the
following first steps the Government of Canada
should take in its Throne Speech: Share fuel tax
revenues with municipalities to fund public transit
Direct financial grants for transit service
expansion. Level the taxation playing field to give
transit users equality with car drivers.
"We're hoping Ottawa will
show leadership and signal its intention to step
into the transit void with some positive
announcements in the Throne Speech," Dr. Roschlau
said.
For further information:
Michael Roschlau, President & CEO, CUTA
(416) 365 9800 x104
John Wellner, Director, Air
Program, Pollution Probe
(416) 926 1907 x236
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How
does transit impact Tourism?