190 Transportation & Transit Working Group February 27, 2009
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There have been discussions at the FVRD Executive Committee for sometime with respect to this issue. Similarly, the same perspective would apply to connections to the Abbotsford Airport and in particular road connections to the Airport which are currently viewed in a municipal sense. This issue will have to be carefully looked at in the study. Construction of the Evergreen Line through to Coquitlam will not affect the West Coast Express. They are two different markets. There is a proposal for the development of a 10-year plan for the West Coast Express itself. Through the study there will be an enhanced survey for the West Coast Express to provide perspective on the ridership in terms of origins and destinations. There is already some of this information out there and the study survey will add to that. The study is not looking to provide specific commentary as to the cost sharing formula. Everyone has to have the same vision of what transit is going to be doing in the Fraser Valley and our first commitment is to get the information and bring it forward in a manner that allows discussion to occur. The information will be handed back for a political approach and decision from the FVRD Board.
PROJECT STATUS
John Steiner reported: • • • •
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The working papers are coming together. Market research is being conducted over the next two weeks. Background information is being collected. PAC appointments are urgently needed.
DISCUSSION
With respect to the presentations from the delegations, it was noted that the study should not ignore the rail links and concerns that were presented by the delegations but the main focus as a region should be on what is needed in terms of transit internally in the Fraser Valley, to ensure we can continue to create strong and self sustaining communities. There is a need to set up some dialogue with the rail groups to ensure they receive information. In addition, through PAC, perhaps someone who is centered in one of our communities in the Valley will become involved and make sure all interests are represented on that group. The application proposed by Greyhound Canada to reduce/cut service from the Fraser Valley to Vancouver was briefly discussed. Hugh Sloan advised that this issue was addressed at the FVRD Board. The Board is concerned that as Greyhound is an exclusively licensed carrier, this proposal will put the economically challenged people in the Canyon at risk. A letter will be written to Greyhound requesting the service to be continued. The issue of appointing elected officials to the PAC was discussed. The following was noted: •
The role of PAC is to provide an independent sounding board to vet the process.