The recent federal budget announcement has sparked criticism from local transit advocates who are concerned about the reallocation of funds meant for long-term transit goals in Canada.
A portion of the Canada Public Transit Fund is being redirected to the newly established Build Communities Strong Fund, as revealed by the federal Department of Finance.
Movement, a prominent public transit advocacy group based in Vancouver, has expressed disappointment over this decision, emphasizing the crucial need for substantial investments in public transit infrastructure across the country.
Denis Agar, the executive director of Movement, highlighted the economic benefits of investing in public transit, stating that it can significantly reduce individual transportation costs.
According to Agar, many people spend thousands of dollars annually on their cars, while utilizing public transit could offer substantial savings and facilitate access to more affordable housing options.
Additionally, Agar stressed the significance of funding key transit projects such as the SkyTrain Surrey Langley extension, the UBC extension, and the Burnaby Mountain gondola to the SFU campus, underscoring the positive impact these developments could have on residents’ daily lives.
He emphasized that once public transit infrastructure is in place, people are eager to utilize it, leading to immediate improvements in their daily commutes and overall quality of life.
Agar also raised concerns about the lack of attention to Western Canadian transit systems, calling for increased investments in cities like Edmonton, Calgary, and Vancouver to enhance public transportation options for residents.
While the federal government has committed to investing three billion dollars annually in Canada’s public transit, Agar believes this amount falls short of meeting the growing demands of rapidly expanding urban centers like Metro Vancouver.