Another reason to take the train in the Vancouver-Seattle-Portland corridor is the introduction of free wireless Internet on the trains. This is a good enhancement for business people, students and anyone who wants to stay in touch and be productive while travelling.
Visit the Amtrak Cascades website for more information.
Cab control car for Amtrak Cascades train at King St station in Seattle. Photo by M. Buchanan
Raise money for Transport Action at the Trains 2010 show in Burnaby
On Nov. 13-14 Transport Action BC will be participating at the Trains
2010 show at the Cameron Rec Centre in Burnaby (behind Lougheed Mall).
Members with surplus railroadiana that may be of interest to others
are encouraged to bring it, with a suggested selling price, to the
show, with sale proceeds going to Transport Action. More details on
Trains 2010 can be found at http://www.bctrains.org/
TransLink’s operating budget turned in a $ 24 million surplus in the first quarter of 2010. Originally, TransLink forecast a $ 10 million deficit. The organisation credits Olympic ridership and VANOC payments for Olympic-related services, higher than forecast post-Olympics ridership, and cost cutting for the $ 34 million budget shift.
At the June 15 , “2011 Transportation and Financial Base Plan” public consultation meeting, TransLink’s CEO stated that surpluses were unlikely to carry through the rest of the year. TransLink expects to draw down on its cumulative surplus as the year progresses.
The Golden Ears Bridge, Greater Vancouver’s first, modern toll bridge has not reached traffic or revenue projections in its first year of service. Traffic is 25% below 2004 projections (22,300 vs. 29,400 vehicles / day) and revenue is down about 17 % ($26.5 million vs. $32.2 million / year). TransLink partially compensates for the lower revenue by adding the $5.2 million it budgeted to operate the Albion ferries that the bridge replaced. TransLink is developing plans to improve the bridge’s financial situation but will not proceed until a detailed business plan is available. Toll reductions and improved marketing to non-commuters such as trucking firms may be considered.
The BC Trucking Association states that the cost of transponders and tolls may be driving truckers to the Port Mann or other Fraser crossings. Transponders cost $10.00 (refundable) to lease and $1.00 / month for maintenance, which hardly seems onerous. Coincidentally, the BCTA’s offices are conveniently located near the south approaches of the bridge.
It is worth noting that TransLink provided one month of free rides when the toll bridge opened; when the Canada Line rapid transit line opened, transit riders got a break for less than one day.
Don Cayo, a Vancouver Sun business columnist, takes issue with the Canadian Taxpayers Federation ballyhooed Gas Tax Honesty Day. Using information from the Victoria Transport Policy Institute, he states that auto users are heavily subsidized from general tax revenues because indirect costs of roads and auto usage are not included in cost calculations of our auto dependence. The gas tax debate should focus on the subsidy to auto users rather than on generating populist rants about alleged over taxation. The real gas price scandal is that the tax take is too low, not too high.
http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Honesty+swerves+around+some+facts/3056951/story.html
A survey by the World Wildlife Federation – Canada found that 80% of Canadians claimed they were concerned about the environmental impact of their transportation usage. However, the survey also found that almost as many Canadians would not give up their cars, even if other, more environmentally friendly travel options were available. Unfortunately, news reports concentrated on what Canadians said they would give up before hanging up their keys (junk food, credit cards, sex[?]). A more useful analysis would have involved discussing why Canadians are so unwilling to give up their cars and what incentives or disincentives would help alter automobile usage.
http://www.leaderpost.com/technology/Nation+refuses+give+cars/3045773/story.html
Craig McInnes (Vancouver Sun – March 12, 2010) argues that there is more to a sustainable transit system than just building rapid transit lines. Municipalities must be willing to zone for densities that will support the level of transit ridership needed to minimise operating subsidies. http://tinyurl.com/ya7rzmz
The Globe and Mail (March 12, 2010) reported that TransLink mayor’s council wants the federal and provincial governments to assist TransLink with its part of the capital and operating costs of the Evergreen Line. The council is concerned about starting the project before funding is in place. The province, on the other hand, seems adamant that construction will begin, with or without TransLink funding, but offered no suggestions as to where the addition funds will be found. http://tinyurl.com/ycsoqgs
Matthew
Rick
Transport Action BC 