Cities Alone Can't Fix Climate
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 06.22.07
In the USA, 80% of the federal government's transportation budget is spent on roads. In Seattle, where the once thriving streetcar system was paved over, the current transit system is mediocre. "It's the single biggest problem we face," said Steve Nicholas, the city's director of sustainability. "We can implement all these punitive measures to discourage people from driving to work, but unless we offer them reasonable alternatives to get there, it's not going to work" ::Globe and Mail
In Ontario, Canada, the provincial government has realized that if it is going to meet its commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and close its coal fired power plants, it has to get cars off the road and ensure that the ones remaining are more efficient. It has just promised a whopping 17 billion dollars for transit, and is funding the entire Toronto streetcar plan, formerly an unfunded pie in the sky. Premier McGuinty is shutting up the automakers by tossing them $650 million to invest in technologies to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions.
Cities like Seattle and Toronto can't do it on their own, the higher levels of government have all the money and make the rules. As Toronto Mayor Miller said about McGuinty's new commitment to transit: "It's extraordinary.I can't think of any better news for Torontonians." ::Globe and Mail
The only reason that the Premier McGuinty, has "pledged" any environmental initiatives is because of the impending elections in Ontario this fall.
"Pledged" is in quotes becuase McGuinty has given NO structure for financing the stated 17 Billion$ and 650 Million$. Further the only date mentioned are far into the future and are contingent on the re-election of McGuinty's Liberals.
Those that care about what is really going on shouldn't waste their vote or attention on this. Act on your local representatives there is no will at the Provinvial and Federal levels here in Canada to advance the health of the world's future generations.
While the "pledge" is optimisitic, I'd add so was McGuinty's broken promise to close the coal fire plant during his current term in office.
I have to agree on this point. Most of the transportation budget here in Texas is based on expanding road, building more roads, and it's pretty much all about roads to take in the gigantic fleets of cars. Public transportation is still somewhat mediocre in Houston, 4th largest city in America. We've got buses, but they never feel safe. There's a new light-rail since 2006, but there's only a few lines, and there's tons of opposition for expansion.
The problem, is that they should focus more on public transport.
A major shift that just happened in Seattle/Washington State (and was under-reported in my opinion) was that the DOT finally started calculating road capacity based on the number of PEOPLE that can move per hour, rather than the number of CARS.
This seems to be an example of providing a service rather than a good, that is infrastructure improvements should move more people, rather than simply adding more roads. That being said, our next major transportation ballot measure lumps impressive mass transit expansions in with GINORMOUS highway expansions. I have a headache.
People have this paranoia of mass transit, thinking that it will bring "undesirables" into their isolated area who will commit burgaries, etc., but where I grew up in Jersey, house prices actually spiked 20% after new Midtown-Direct train service to NYC was announced. Upscale commuters actually WANT mass transit, so they can Blackberry and catch the paper on their way in. You can't do that driving, or you shouldn't (unless you're a native New Jerseyan. We all have hidden third eyes and arms.)
Good morning.
But, I just don't get it...The people have voted, they want to drive their cars and all we hear is public transportation this and public transportation that. Of course 80% is spent on roads, THAT"S WHERE IS WANTED!
Don't waste my tax money on unusable crap just because it makes you feel good, or in this ridiculous save the world from us garbage.
"Discourage people from driving"... Ok everyone, let's all be herded in now, cattle up.
Larry - so where do you live? I'm guessing NOT in or near a major city center that does have transportation problems, such as Toronto (Worst traffic in North America). It's honestly the narrow mindedness of people like yourself who are putting us in a very bad position.
In Toronto we don't just want better public transit - we NEED it. We simply don't have the capacity for new roads and the ones we do have are falling apart (such as the elevated Gardiner Expressway). There is also the fact that it sometimes takes you twice as long (or more if someone decides to plow into a guardrail) to do the same journey as one thats on the TTC (subway/streetcar rite of way) or GO Train line. Heck. I can ride my bicycle across Toronto faster then any car during the rush.
So maybe YOU personally don't need transit now, but I can tell you one thing. If you live in a city that is expanding and has not yet provisioned mass transit corridors then prepare to pay for the mistake in the future. Urban sprawl is the biggest hindrance in an effective transport system.
So keep 'doing what you want'... but remember that doing what you want, isn't always doing what you should (or need to). Don't worry. Your tax money is safe with us.