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NOV.15 VOTING GUIDE (CLICK HERE) Rail for the Valley Abbotsford Questionnaire Questions Q1. What do you think of the provincial government's $14 billion transit plan? Q2. Should Abbotsford ask (demand?) that the provincial government modify its transit plan to include the re-introduction of Inter-urban passenger rail service between Chilliwack and Vancouver? If yes, what timeline would you insist on for an initial single-track service? Q3. Are you in favour of implementing a light rail pilot project with neighbouring municipalities on the Interurban line by 2010? Q4. What specific concrete action would you take as mayor/councillor to make Rail for the Valley a reality? (Candidates were asked to try to keep each answer to 50 words or less. Results are posted alphabetically, for mayor and council candidates.)
Elect a Mayor Steve Dunton 1. 2. 3. 4. Alvin Epp 1. Generally I am in favor of the plan... having said that, I think its incomplete. Transportation infrastructure has to be made a priority and designed with the whole valley in mind. This needs to include all modes of transportation, corridor selection and corridor protection. 2. Abbotsford is taking the lead in creating a plan that includes parts of the interurban line. Our goal is to create a complete transit strategy infrastructure that will work for Abbotsford. The primary connection of at grade rail to the west into Langley and South Fraser , I believe, should be focused on either Fraser Hwy or along freeway from Langley directly to the Abbotsford airport. Our plan that has been now embraced by city council will move into its next phase of strategizing. 3. Yes I am in favour of a pilot project. This is also one of the recommendations that was brought to Abbotsford council. 4. As president of the Abbotsford chamber of commerce , I have made transportation my priority. I would encourage anyone to look at our long term plan for Abbotsford that I was significantly involved in. My goal is to connect Abbotsford internally with rail ,and the entire Fraser valley. With this plan we can now be specific with both the federal and provincial governments. I will be lobbying this effort as soon as I am mayor. Gerda Peachey 1. 2. 3. 4. George Peary 1. The provincial government is trying to solve some major issues with the "choke points" for the transportation of goods (primarily) with their ambitious plans in the lower mainland. Their Canada Line Skytrain extension is a major concession to the Olympics. 2. The problem is that the valley communities cannot really "demand" anything from the province. They should continue to seek financial support for resurrecting the inter-urban line but the government does not consider the Fraser Valley ridings to be in jeopardy in the forthcoming election. 3. Yes but if and only if there is significant financial support from the province for this project. 4. I would continue to petition the provincial government for this service. The Pilot Project suggested above might prove the viability of such a service. Case Verstraten 1. $14 billion seems like a lot of money, but it is probably not enough. Transit is outdated and 20 years behind the rest of the modern world. Our transit system should have been updated on an annual basis. Money needs to be used properly, for the right projects; this will ensure immediate relief for transit in most areas. $14 billion is a good start. 2. Abbotsford should demand from the government to expedite a plan to obtain rail service between Chilliwack and Vancouver. Proper communication with the right departments should not have to take longer than a few years to get a green light for this project. I would eventually like to see a double track system to Hope. 3. I am in favour of any project which will reduce automobile traffic, which in turn allows commercial traffic to operate more efficiently. This will result in financial gain for everyone. 4. Rail transportation is a first priority for a healthy,
green environment and de-stressed traveling. A rail system connecting
with skytrain and buses on both sides of the Fraser River is a necessity
to reduce traffic on our overburdened roads. A close second in priority
is to create special bus lanes. I will not rest until every driver is
accommodated. Aeriol Alderking 1. I think it is short-sighted in not addressing the transportation issues in the Fraser Valley including Abbotsford. 2. Yes, I believe we should strongly suggest the expediency of having a single-track service up and running in time for the Olympics. 3. Yes I am. We have built fabulous facilities to accommodate athletes, now we need transit that will support their utilization. 4. I would work with the provincial and federal governments to establish a better understanding of the needs and vision for our community. We need to communicate our vision of the future rather than the negative approach of limitations and fear. I have always found our MLA's and MP supportive when we give them something they can work with. Surjit Atwal 1. 2. 3. 4. Les Barkman 1. 2. Having rail service from Chilliwack west would make if they want to do it right. With using the Inter-urban line it only makes sense. The time frame is the problem. With so many different people involved in making it reality that's where the hang up could be. Its going to take the new council many hours of hard work with our MLA's to get it done. 3. 4. Nicholas Bergman 1. 2. 3. 4. James Breckenridge 1. 2. 3. 4. Dan Bue 1. I think any plan which leaves out passenger rail south of the Fraser - is inadequate! Oslo, Norway, with only 500,000 people has a much developed transit system than Greater Vancouver with its 2 million inhabitants. We are overdue for better transit! 2. Yes, I think we need to send a strong message to the provincial government that we would like the inter-urban to once again bring passenger rail service from Chilliwack to Vancouver. I don't think that it should take more than 2 years to implement. 3. Yes! 4. I think we need to lobby both levels of government to get this to happen. They can assign some of the gas tax or even the carbon tax towards this project since it will definitely contribute to a greener environment! Please see our YouTube video (Atwal and Bue) for further comments. Christine Caldwell 1. 2. 3. 4. Kevin Chapman 1. I feel that the provincial transit plan is not something designed for Abbotsford and the Fraser Valley. We need to work with the provincial government to create a plan that works for us. No one city is alike. We can't expect a generalized plan to work for our needs. 2. The Inter-urban passenger rail looks to be the most economically viable and practical option for public transportation between Abbotsford and the surrounding regions at this time. The city has already accepted a plan that includes this rail line, and it should be presented to the provincial government. 3. Transportation is of a high concern for me and provided Abbotsford can afford to do this without taking away from other more pressing transportation needs I feel we should definitely consider this as an option. 4. John Davidson 1. As someone from Abbotsford who does not regularly ride on the Metro Vancouver transit system which is receiving $10B of the tota, or travel in Victoria or Kelowna I do not think too highly of the plan. The money could be put to much better use and get much better value, and more productivity for the money. Too many provincial taxpayers will not benefit from this yet will be expected to pay for the plan through our hard earned taxes. 2. (Ask rather than demand!) Yes light rail transportation through the Fraser Valley shopuld be a priority. With today's announcement that Abbotsford plans to take part in the 2010 Olympics demonstration line, I feel that this is a step in the right direction. I agree with your quote in the Province. I had the good fortune to ride on the train which travelled to New Westminster during Expo 86 - and will use the Olympic version as well. Having travelled the world (in my younger days) I have witnessed how efficient a well run, low cost, high ridership system can be. As for a timeline for this, I need to be more informed before committing to dates, etc. 3. Yes. See Q.2 4. I would/will support Rail for the Valley preparing a well researched proposal for the BC government (if this has not already been done) and would help lobby Victoria and Ottawa for support to make the plan reality. Tim Felger 1. It should have included the inter-urban for the valley. Also any money spent for the gateway projects could then be reduced and diverted to the lowering the fares for rail and bus services for the valley. It should include the purchase of any legal "right of way" we will need for the future from CP and such. Or is it still a question that we need the inter-urban now? The fact is that there is a magic solution for the chaos of highway number seven and highway number one traffic, it is called the old inter-urban line. But the inter-urban alone will not resolve the long term problem of growth. A whole set of measures is needed to unclog and discipline commuter traffic for the future. The public transportation system did not succeed in keeping up with the growth of the city, because of special interest, the government forgot, one of the first expenses should be low cost to the rider public transportation. 2. Yes the government should modify its transit plan to include the re-introduction of Inter-urban passenger rail service between Chilliwack and Vancouver. I would demand they modify their decision with a 10-month completion. I would reduce the fares on west coast express by more than 90% and I would nationalize any part of Cp Rail that was necessary. This rail should have never been sold off in the first place and the politicians who did it should be hung. 3. Yes, I could make that happen if I was elected to city council. The inter-urban alone will not resolve the problem. A whole set of measures is needed to unclog and discipline the valley growth and traffic. The government tends to waste time doing studies rather than trying to discover ways of reducing the traffic to a manageable level in the short term and chipping away at it in the long term. If elected, I will work as hard for the inter-urban project as I have for solving the gang and violence issues of this town, after all, who wants to ride public transit if it is not safe. I do not have a car or driver's licence, nor do I plan to get either even if elected. I depend on public transportation and use it daily. I want it regular, reliable, clean, safe and inexpensive, cheap or free. 4. There is no solution to this transportation problem except for the inter-urban that should have already been done a long time ago, and is currently NOT in progress. More belabouring of the obvious follows: In the long term, investment in mass transportation (that is, in the inter-urban system) is what will provide mobility to a good portion of the population, although its implementation costs are minimal. Together, good public transportation with a HEMP based economy there is no need for a carbon tax because there will be less air pollution. Aird Flavelle 1. I prefer a more sustainable approach that would reduce/discourage automobile traffic. 2. I am keen to explore the financial viability of operating the inter-urban line from Abbotsford to Surrey. If we can make that work then we should explore the rail link from Hope into Vancouver. 3. I am in favour of City Council encouraging and supporting a joint city-hall/citizen's task force, with a 6 month mandate, to provide recommendations on the financial viability and rational, practical time-lines for making the Interurban line operational again. 4. See #3. Simon Gibson 1. It is an important step, I believe, but I am aware that Abbotsford was essentially left out of the allocation. Why Kelowna received such attention over our city is unclear. I like the new buses that are supposed to operate with less emissions. (There may be too much emphasis on Vancouver in this plan.) 2. I'd like to pursue this. I do realize there are some economic considerations, but there is definitely a demand that needs to be addressed. It also needs to be safe and generally not disruptive of other transportation 3. I'd like to investigate this - definitely. 4. Including our MLAs and the Minister of Transportation and Highways will be essential. I would hope we can do some financial modeling to determine the necessary budget and the amount of subsidies needed and the projected utilization. This will require significant help from the federal government as well. Moe Gill 1. 2. 3. 4. Lynne Harris 1. This is a very ambitious plan and aspects of it will contribute to the improvement in transportation for the future. Abbotsford was not really included in the plan and therefore it fell short of dealing with our transportation needs and how we will connect to neighbouring communities. I am confident that there may be opportunities to link into the plan if our community shows leadership and a commitment to important transportation initiatives for the future. 2. I certainly believe that the inter urban passenger rail service could potentially offer tremendous improvements to the movement of people within the region. I also believe that the provincial government should give careful consideration to the potential use of this rail line in addition to examining other transportation options. The timeline is difficult to define but sooner rather than later. 3. Absolutely! The concept of a light rail project linking Abbotsford to other communities is very exciting and I believe the way of the future. Although the automobile is here to stay, citizens are demanding alternatives and civic leaders need to listen to them and work to meet the needs. 4. As Chair of the Inter-regional Transporation Select Committee, I believe we have already taken concrete action towards this initiative and I will continue to work very hard to achieve this goal including lobbying senior levels of government for support and funding. The committee may be restructured in the future but I believe it will play a vital role in moving forward. Dave Loewen 1. Any plan to spend that much of taxpayer's money, without including Abbotsford (International Airport) represents a short-sighted and narrow view. 2. The focus needs to be on an efficient and sustainable transit system, whatever that may be. 3. Certainly, especially if we can take advantage of planned initiatives for Vancouver in 2010. 4. Push for an Inter-Regional Transit Task Force (South Fraser Municipalities), with provincial partners included, to draw up a plan with proposed design, target dates, and projected budget for presentation to all municipal councils concerned. Gary Macdonald 1. $14 billion is a lot of money of which Abbotsford taxpayers are going to contribute towards and will receive very little in return. The more I hear about the province's plan the less attractive it sounds. What it appears is the the South Fraser Region will be subsidizing Vancouver's expensive transit projects. 2. Yes I do think Abbotsford should demand that the province include the passenger rail service between Chilliwack and Vancouver within a couple years. 3. Yes. 4. i would work to encourage other members of council and the mayor to adopt the rail for the valley proposal, seek support from Chilliwack to Surrey, and lobby the province to change thier existing plan to one that includes us. Bill Macgregor 1. It needs some work and most certainly it needs to include the valley to Chilliwack. 2. We should definitely work with our MLA'S to see that either that happens or a different and more direct plan that places Rapid Transit down the spine of Hwy#1 connecting into the system west of the Port Mann. This could include tolls on non-commercial traffic at Hwy interchanges where parkades could be built to induce people to ride the rail. 3. Absolutely in favour. 4. Bring all stakeholders together for a forum that is committed to a plan that will meet the 2010 target. Arno Neumann 1. 2. 3. 4. Lynn Perrin 1. It is short sighted and more of the staus quo. We need to think outside of the box and look at how other areas of the country transport people and goods. I have known that we must implement a better system since I rode on the Go Train from Toronto to Hamilton in the early 1970s. I have been fortunate to ride to Vancouver on the West Coast Express 3 - 4 times per week over the past 2 years. I know that travellers on the south side of the Fraser need a simiar service. As the ownership of the Interurban is public (provincial) we must use this advantage to enable a scheduale that goes beyond communter timelines. I am also concerned with the funds being spent on the Gateway project and specifically the South Fraser Parimiter Road. In Delta over 1,000 acres will be removed from the ALR and there will be thousand more trucks travelling through the Lower Mainland,the Fraser Valley and other parts of B.C. to destinations beyond our province. The increase of trucks and single occupancy vehicles will increase the emissions into the fragile arished of the Fraser Valley. This has a negative impact on public health and agriculture. Air pollution causes resiratory problems and crop damage. Crop damage is worth as much as $20 million per year. This is not good for local food security. 2. Absolutely, I have been advocating for the use of light rail on the Interurban line since 1991. I would like to see an initital single line service in place within one year. The track was used in 1986 for Expo. Trains (also used in Europe) took people from Chilliwack to New Westminster. 3. Yes. If it could be done for Expo in 1986 it can be done by 2010. If there is a requirement for custom made rail cars I am confident that businesses who manufacture trains will be eager to accommodate those specifications. 4. I would be a strong voice on Council for immediate action to bring a single track line by 2010 which is sooner than is envisioned by the Abbotsford transportation committee repoprt that was passed by Council earlier this week. I would meet with elected representatives that I have credibility with in both the B.C. Legislature and the House of Commons to provide funding from all levels of government for light rail on the Interurban line. This issue is now on the political radar as a result of the work of groups like Rail For The Valley therefore time is of the essence in making this a reality. Patricia Ross 1. Very unhappy with it. Essentially ignores the Fraser Valley transit needs till 2030 which is unacceptable. Doesn't seem to understand that we need transit connections through the lower mainland, connecting with Fraser Valley NOW. Not a lot of common sense to it. 2. Yes, I think we need to think seriously about a variety of options including the ones identified here. There isn't a "silver bullet" solution to getting people out of their cars, or to the congestion issue, so we need to move on several fronts at once. Light rail seems to be very promising. Studies show that in order to get people out of their cars, transit needs to be fast, frequent and inexpensive, so we need to keep that in mind. In terms of timelines, we need to insist on a commitment now and start planning immediately. 3. Yes, I have great hope that if we use this as a pilot, the provincial government will be astounded by how successful it is. Their argument against any transit improvements linking the FV with MetroVancouver is that the public would have to subsidize it. But they are not comparing all the hidden ways we already subsidize the vehicle through road infrastructure and maintaining it, police, fire, ambulance, free parking, health care costs due to vehicle pollution. 4. I will continue to lobby for any option that makes it easier for people to make the choice to use their vehicles less. Efforts such as visits to Victoria, Ottawa, resolutions to the Union of BC Municipalities and Federation of Canadian Municipalities to enlist their support, supporting studies, efforts of citizens, supporting infrastructure requirements, education. Daljit Singh Sidhu 1. 2. 3. 4. John Smith 1. Long overdue improvements to the highway system (twinning of the Port Mann, etc) are great. However, the complete lack of any transportation initiative east of 216th is not good. Also the lack of any reasonable transit alternative to the Central Fraser Valley was conspicuously absent. 2. Personally speaking, the Inter-Urban passenger rail service would be great - it runs very close to my house - we are located about 12 kms SE of the urban area of Abbotsford, out on Sumas Prairie and we'll never get a bus here. I think it would be useful to have a dialogue with the Provincial transportation people and develop a business plan. 3. I'm in favour of looking at the viability of such a system. It might be a good start. 4. Initiate meaningful discussions on the real need for some form of public transportation system in the Fraser Valley. Paul Wadhawan 1. 2. 3. 4. |
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