Clang, Clang, Clang goes the trolly...hopefully
The Mayors of Canada's biggest cities met today in Montreal to go over what needs to be done with big-city transit systems. One of their proposals consists of the Federal Government financing $2 billion annually to the cities to help with growing demand for public transit and upgrade requirements in the systems of each city.
Toronto Mayor David Miller noted that the move toward improved city transit would also greatly help the Conservative government reach its environmental goals by making public transit a viable option for Canadians. As well, a move in this direction adds much needed revenue for cities - Miller argued Toronto could make an extra $400 million as a result of a change in transit policy.
Personally, I see public transit as a necessary ingredient in solving the problem of Green House Gas emmissions. But more importantly, it helps to decrease the pollutants in the air we breath all year round. Does anybody remember last summer? I sure do! I had to bring a bottle of water with me to walk four blocks down the road!
I know that the Conservative government doesn't really care about the environment. They care about the issue, sure, because it gives them face value in the House of Commons and will for the up-comming election, but they really don't care. Health care and the economy, however, will always be at the top of a political party's list of things to improve. It won't come and go with the tide of popularity. This initiative to decrease air pollution and give city transit a much needed boost is the perfect issue for the government to take on. It's the best of both worlds. They look green, their boosting the economy, their taking stress off of the working class who can't easily get around without a car, and cleaning up the air people breathe (something the 'clean air act' couldn't do).
I say give it a shot. Lets face it, London's transit system in particular needs any help that it can get.
Toronto Mayor David Miller noted that the move toward improved city transit would also greatly help the Conservative government reach its environmental goals by making public transit a viable option for Canadians. As well, a move in this direction adds much needed revenue for cities - Miller argued Toronto could make an extra $400 million as a result of a change in transit policy.
Personally, I see public transit as a necessary ingredient in solving the problem of Green House Gas emmissions. But more importantly, it helps to decrease the pollutants in the air we breath all year round. Does anybody remember last summer? I sure do! I had to bring a bottle of water with me to walk four blocks down the road!
I know that the Conservative government doesn't really care about the environment. They care about the issue, sure, because it gives them face value in the House of Commons and will for the up-comming election, but they really don't care. Health care and the economy, however, will always be at the top of a political party's list of things to improve. It won't come and go with the tide of popularity. This initiative to decrease air pollution and give city transit a much needed boost is the perfect issue for the government to take on. It's the best of both worlds. They look green, their boosting the economy, their taking stress off of the working class who can't easily get around without a car, and cleaning up the air people breathe (something the 'clean air act' couldn't do).
I say give it a shot. Lets face it, London's transit system in particular needs any help that it can get.
posted by abc123 at 10:59 AM
1 Comments:
Well, I really hope improvement to the LTC can be made, because right now, it's pretty bad. Inefficient bus schedules, shortage of buses on important routes, and overcrowding are issues that must be looked at, but are frequently ignored.
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