This text is part of the special section Municipalities
The brand new Régie de transport du Bas-Saint-Laurent (RTBSL) is thinking big. His goal ? Connect 96 municipalities with an affordable and accessible network by 2025. But to get there, its instigators must first resolve the thorny issue of financing.
After 10 years of joint work between different regional organizations, RTBSL was created last January. Long-term work motivated by the “crying need” of a territory of 22,000 km2.
“You should know that in Bas-Saint-Laurent, there have been significant cuts in interurban services [opérés par Orléans Express], explains Mélodie Mondor, general director of the Regional Development Collective. We went from 40 to 15 cities served, which really posed a problem with regional mobility. »
“The region wanted to create its own transport authority to meet this need. The idea was to reweave the network by improving the transport services of the MRCs and interconnecting them. »
The proposal is as follows: create 13 circuits that connect seven MRCs in the region, seven days a week with a fixed schedule and an affordable price. For example, a trip between Rimouski and Matane would cost passengers $6, compared to the $33 that Orléans Express currently charges. All this with electric minibuses.
“It was important that the project respected our environmental vision and our commitment to climate change,” says M.me Mondor.
To develop the network, the consultation team was inspired by the Régie intermunicipale de transport Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine (REGIM). For almost ten years, it has been operating a transport service with similar challenges in Bas-Saint-Laurent, namely long distances and a low population density.
“We modeled our model on REGIM, it’s a system that has proven itself,” she continues. The Gaspésie territory, like ours, is not easy to cover, but they demonstrated that it was possible to do so in a viable and efficient manner. »
Trust the regions
For several years, regional organizations have been calling for a better vision of public transportation in the region. For Sarah V. Doyon, general director of Trajectoire Québec, an association which campaigns for the development of public transport in the province, there is no solution one-size-fits-all (all-purpose solution).
“What works in urban centers does not necessarily work in the regions,” she explains. They know better the particularities of their territory and the needs of the population. By trusting the regions, we also ensure better social acceptability and sustainable projects. »
Sarah V. Doyon and Mélodie Mondor agree on one thing: for people to use public transportation in the region, the options must be interesting and diversified.
“I am convinced that if they have options that meet their needs, they will be there,” adds Sarah V. Doyon. Obviously, we cannot expect traffic figures from large centers. But it makes a real difference in the lives of the people who use them. »
“It’s a bit of a chicken or egg situation,” explains Mélodie Mondor. Supply must precede demand. If we don’t have enough funds to develop infrastructure, attendance won’t just magically increase. »
The big question of financing
To finance the implementation of its plan, RTBSL is proposing an increase in the fuel tax of around 2 cents on the liter of gasoline sold. This mechanism is already used in Gaspésie ($0.01) and Montreal ($0.03), for REGIM and the Regional Metropolitan Transport Authority (ARTM) respectively.
“It’s the best financial lever to raise the 5 million annually needed for the project,” argues Mélodie Mondor. We are convinced that the people of the region are ready to contribute, but things are blocked on the government’s side for some reason that is difficult to explain. »
The tax would be applied to gas pumps in the territory served by RTBSL, from Rivière-du-Loup to Matane. Kamouraska has decided not to join the Régie.
“A request was sent to the Minister of Finance in December. We feel that there is a lot of resistance, we are instead being referred to a tax on registration, which is not appropriate at all. Our population base is not large enough to accumulate enough income from registration. »
This impression has been exacerbated in recent weeks with the remarks of the Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, Geneviève Guilbault, who mentioned that “the State does not have to manage public transport”. For Mélodie Mondor, it is a “total disempowerment”.
“It’s a very poor understanding of regional issues,” she adds. Public transportation must be seen as a public service, just like health services, education services and employment assistance services. It is truly a crucial element for the vitality of our regions. »
While awaiting clarification on its financing, RTBSL promises to continue to apply political pressure and to stay focused on its ultimate objective: offering a public transportation network adapted to the needs of Lower Laurentians.
After the storm, the solutions
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