In the meantime the BRT, tram, metro, etc.

Photo Jean-François Desgagnés

Karine Gagnon

Wednesday, 23 August 2017 18:00

UPDATE
Wednesday, 23 August, 2017 18:04

Look at this article

It is for the less particular the réseau de transport de la Capitale (RTC) presents its plan for major overhaul, then that we still do not know what will be the centrepiece of the transport network structure of Quebec.

Mode pre-election, the administration Labeaume is used to demonstrate multiple ways that she attends to the folder of the transit. It certainly does also make us forget a little the kerfuffle in the folder of the bus rapid (BRT).

Thus, the RTC has convened the press tomorrow to present the details on the Summit on international mobility. In addition to the public consultations on sustainable mobility which will take place from Thursday to Saturday, the RTC has felt the need to introduce yesterday, this plan of development, which will also be the subject of consultations next week. That can come in and then go on to say that we did not consult the population?

I questioned him on the fact that the City and the RTC lead to two approaches in parallel, so that the development of the transit network and the choice of a medium-heavy (tram, BRT, subway, or other) should be intimately related. Could it be that the choice of the medium in question is already stopped? Many believe.

Mayor Labeaume has argued that the RTC could not wait for the sequel, which will take several years, and had to move. The whole may then be aligned according to him.

“We are preparing for the arrival of a heavy mode later, for his part, explained Rémy Normand, president, RTC. Everything you can as a result be put to use in the performance of the built-in mobility.” The RTC does not offer the tests, including the addition of Metrobus, he said. It responds rather to the needs in term of displacements.

Means necessary

The director-general of the RTC, Alain Mercier, has also acknowledged yesterday that a heavy mode will be required and is a must for reducing congestion in the road network of Quebec. He also mentioned that the new version of the network will not change according to the way chosen by the City.

Certainly, a large part of the plan for the future of the RTC may be collected and stowed with the new medium-heavy transport. The RTC, however, will review its priorities in order to adapt to this way according to whether it is a BRT, streetcar, subway or other.

One may ask whether it is not still losing time and money, as we have done too much in the past 10 years.

For the head of the opposition, Anne Guérette, it is not normal to be still in the main principles and the basic architecture, having spent$ 15 Million of public money since 2007. It is true that one has the impression of running in circles and start constantly the process of consultation.

It should not be that Quebec spends its turn, and as funding opportunities are currently available. “The federal government has the money and does not agree to fund the projects of bus only”, recalled yesterday, Christian Savard, director of Living in the city and spokesman for a collective of environmental groups who suggested to dig a tunnel between the low town and the hill to establish a tram.

Mr Savard stated that several other large cities in Canada are in the process of developing a public transport project. Montreal has its REM, Ottawa, on its light rail, Toronto is working on different fronts. Even Waterloo, which has barely 100 000 inhabitants, in its project of light rail. “The next shot will have to do it fast, because an idea that trolling will eventually get dirty, shows-t-it. People end up not believing anymore.”