Canadian Urban Transit Association's Michael Roschlau

Expectations are high for Canadian public transit in 2008. Government investment is increasing, ridership is continuing to grow at record levels, and public support in strong. Canada’s four largest provinces are making renewed commitments to public transit, and exciting new developments are taking place across the country.

In Ontario, a re-elected provincial government is building on much improved investment through the provincial gas tax and bus replacement program, but the most promising development is the MoveOntario 2020 plan that commits $17.5 billion over 12 years to transform transit in the Greater Toronto Area. This is the most ambitious transit expansion plan Canada has ever seen and, together with the creation of the Greater Toronto Transportation Authority, sets the stage for a new era in public transit for Canada’s largest metropolis.

Quebec will be embarking on implementation of its new public transit policy, which calls for a 16 percent increase in service over the next five years, with significant ridership growth targets. Plans for major commuter rail expansion in the Montreal area, light rail lines and improved bus service, are a signal that it will be an exciting year. In British Columbia, renewed provincial support for TransLink (Vancouver) and BC Transit (Victoria and municipal systems) represent a vote of confidence for transit, with major expansion of the rail and bus system in Metro Vancouver gearing up for the Winter Olympics in early 2010.

Alberta’s economic boom means high demand for transportation, and major expansion of the light rail systems in both Calgary and Edmonton are underway. Both municipal and provincial funding commitments are strengthening to support this growth and expand these systems to accommodate current and future passenger growth.

In other parts of the country, existing systems are innovating and new systems are being planned. Bus rapid transit services have recently been inaugurated or are planned in dozens of communities from Victoria and Kelowna, British Columbia to Halifax, Nova Scotia and Saint John, New Brunswick. Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island’s two-year old transit systems is proving its value, and new services are under consideration in numerous communities across the country. Banff, Alberta, will become North America’s first 100 percent hybrid-electric transit system, with the delivery of a new fleet of 40-foot low floor buses.

But the future of public transit in Canada will also depend on the development of a National Transit Strategy and the level of long-term commitment by the federal government. Federal involvement in Canadian public transit is relatively recent, but has grown rapidly in recent years. Nonetheless, it is based on ad hoc capital funding commitments which, although significant, have been short-term in nature. The concept of a National Transit Strategy was advanced by the mayors of Canada’s big cities, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and CUTA last year, and the federal Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities is a big supporter. The strategy calls for a comprehensive and integrated policy platform that combines major funding with land use commitments, tax incentives, research and an accountability mechanism. If it becomes a reality, it will set the stage for public transit in Canada for many years to come.

Summary
The stars have aligned for major growth in Canadian public transit in 2008. New provincial funding commitments, a healthy economy, concerns about the environment and the development of a National Transit Strategy, combine to set the stage for an exciting year. All of Canada’s large cities are expanding their bus and rail services, with big plans for Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton. Smaller communities are also innovating with technological and service plans building on a strong ridership base.

Biography
Michael Roschlau is President and CEO of CUTA. He also chairs the Finance Working Group of the National Round Table on Sustainable Infrastructure, is co-chair of the Canadian Motor Carrier Passenger Council and serves on the board of directors of the Ontario Public Transit Association. He holds a PhD from the Australian National University, as well as a Master of Arts degree from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto.