The titles of these pages are a pleasure to read: “Double the public transport offer” and “Build a TGV”. These statements give hope, especially since the pandemic has dealt a severe blow to public transit.
In fact, traffic fell sharply before rising slowly. A vicious circle is setting in, as illustrated by the recent abolition of the “10 minutes max” service of the Société de transport de Montréal (STM).
This introduction would seem banal if it did not come from a 14-year-old student who is very interested in everything related to public transport, urban planning and sustainable development of the territory and who is worried about the future. .
As the government will soon be in the midst of budget drafting, it is an invitation to boldness that I want to launch to our elected officials. Public transit can, and must, be a driver of economic and social development, while being an important lever in achieving carbon neutrality.
From A to F, here are some Starters for reflection which, without being an end, can inspire them.
Layout
Basically, we need to rethink our cities by developing around structuring networks, then linking them to complementary public transit networks. Well-thought-out developments will maximize the use of active transportation, public transportation and the synergy between the two. This is how we will take pleasure in changing our travel habits.
Budget
It is important to fund public transit in line with needs, both for the development of the network and for the quality of daily service. Reliability, frequency, cleanliness and affordability summarize the expectations of users towards transport companies. The vicious circle will not stop if budget cuts lead to service reductions.
Competitiveness
Since the solo car has been the queen of our travels for almost 100 years, we must oppose it with a real fast, efficient and comfortable alternative solution, both for work and for leisure.
Development
Between 1966 and 1988, 65 Montreal metro stations were inaugurated. Since this effervescent period, the following 35 years have seen the opening of a modest number of three stations. In the past year, there has also been the sad legal challenge to the tramway project in Quebec. By choosing to dedicate the D to development, there is a bit of nostalgia, that of Jean Drapeau’s D.
expertise
It is possible to think big and push Québec’s expertise even further in the design and implementation of structuring public transit projects. This would allow us to stimulate our economy, reduce the costs of our own projects and promote this expertise and make it profitable in a North American market that is set to open up and grow.
Frequency
This was the initial point with the example of the “10 minutes max” network: moving forward is not done by going backwards. The success of the desired turn depends on its users, whose satisfaction is based on the frequency and quality of service.
There is so much to say and to do that we could go on to talk about governance, housing and infrastructure, just as we could insist on and address the importance of architecture, redesigned suburbs, political courage, design, electrification and reliability.
Through the upcoming budget and the policies, we are asking the government to rise to the occasion and to innovate. Our future is at stake.
P.S. This text was written without using ChatGPT.