Islands Trustee Report to Ratepayers              June 16/2008   Sheila Malcolmson

 

From the perspective of the Salt Spring Island local trustees, what made a difference in bringing public transit to their island:

    * a persistent and motivated regional director; he worked for years on this
    * access to provincial transit funding (absolutely key to a viable transit service)
    * gas tax funding was the thing that made it possible
    * a detailed feasibility study for submission to BC Transit
    * a community Transportation Committee is helpful for promoting the idea within the community and for lobbying BC Transit
    * an organisation to take on the transit management  - on SSI, the regional director established a Transportation Commission as an agency of the CRD
    * a comprehensive energy/climate change strategy that identifies public transit as an important means of decreasing reliance on private vehicles and reducing GHG emissions.
    * community engagement was important in getting provincial support
    * SSI’s MLA being Minister of Community Services at the time really helped

 PS  ridership is up about 50% over projections

 

From Gabriola’s 1997 Official Community Plan, at http://www.islandstrust.bc.ca/ltc/gb/pdf/gbbylbaseocp0166.pdf

 

“Land Transportation Objectives

1. To establish a classification system for roads which is in keeping with the rural character of

Gabriola;

2. To designate scenic/heritage roads which reflect the unique visual and historical qualities of

Gabriola;

3. To provide a network of bicycle routes and ensure island roads are able to accommodate cycling safely;

4. To encourage the provision of public pathways and safe pedestrian access along the Island’s

main roadways;

5. To support the initiation of a practical and efficient public transportation system;

6. To oppose any fixed link or bridge to Vancouver Island or ferry connection to the BC Lower

Mainland;

7. To require that adequate off-street parking be provided, particularly in the vicinity of the BC Ferry terminal at Descanso Bay and in the Village Centre commercial area; and

8. To require island roads to be maintained in good repair, but to ensure they are constructed in a

manner which respects the natural contours of the landscape and allow for the retention of the

natural vegetation cover within the public road right of way.

 

In conjunction with BC Transit and the Regional District of Nanaimo, the feasibility of providing a

limited public transit service on Gabriola should be explored, including undertaking a needs

assessment and feasibility study related to operating a privately or publicly operated mini-bus

transit service, including for handicapped persons.”

 

 

Next LTC business meeting is Thursday June 19, noon, Agi Hall. Local Trust Committee meeting schedules and agendas are at: http://www.islandstrust.bc.ca/ltc/gb/default.cfm 

 

Please contact me with any questions or concerns; 247-8078, or smalcolmson@islandstrust.bc.ca

And look for more detailed Trustee reports in the Flying Shingle.