Transit plans in 1973
The following are extracts from "Transportation for a
Livable Region - Report of the Transportation and Transmission
Policy Committee to the Greater Vancouver Regional District,
October 1973".
From page 11:
Technical Transit Working Group
Basic assumption: For this study it was assumed
that the needs of the automobile were being met at an
acceptable level and that the mode capable of increasing the
livability of the region was public transit.
Objective: The general objectives were: first, to
develop transit policies that would increase the efficiencies
of the existing bus operations and, second, to expand the
availability and acceptance of transit as a mode of travel in
the Regional District.
From page 16:
Freeways and Expressways in the Urban Area
Situation: There are presently two freeways,
Burnaby and Deas Freeways, in the GVRD and none in the City
of Vancouver, putting this area in a unique position compared
to almost every other city in North America. Because of this
there has been, and will likely continue to be, pressure to
build freeways both in the City of Vancouver and the
remainder of the GVRD. Since there has been relatively light
investment in freeways, there is a much greater potential for
successful development of other forms of transit.
POLICY STATEMENT:
FURTHER CONSTRUCTION OF FREEWAYS AND EXPRESSWAYS IN ANY
OF THEIR FORMS IN THE GVRD MUST BE BANNED AT ALL COST
Program: It is imperative that the existing bus
and rail facilities be greatly improved, and rapid transit
must be seriously considered, to provide the GVRD with usable
alternatives to freeways.
From page 18:
Transit Priority
Situation: Transit service suffers from delays
caused by traffic congestion. Delays cause higher operating
costs, decrease passenger appeal and service. Transit is thus
prevented from realizing its fullest potential in the livable
region.
POLICY STATEMENT:
PUBLIC TRANSIT VEHICLES MUST BE GIVEN PREFERENCE OVER
OTHER VEHICLES
Program: A program to initiate a "transit
priority" policy in the GVRD is outlined in the back-up
paper to this policy statement. A brief summation of its
major points is:
- eliminate parking on transit routes
- transit-activated traffic signals where there is
distinct advantage to transit
- "transit only" lanes
- minimize left turns for non-transit vehicles
- co-ordination in the use of level crossings during
peak periods
This program and effective enforcement of the required
traffic laws would definitely help to minimize the delay to
transit patterns.
James Strickland
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