Put HK as an example. The "Red Tunnel" was like "the only way" to get across HK Island and Kowloon, of course, besides taking ferries. And they charge for a fare.
Ultraman 發表於 2009-9-17 12:01
Hong Kong is a poor example in this case because the city was never meant to be a car-centric city like the majority of North American cities. The de facto method of transportation in HK is public transportation. On the other hand, Vancouver (and most North American cities) are built around the idea of having automobiles as the personal transportation of choice.
The problem with Translink is, how they spend our $, we don't have a say at all and it's just 咁住嚟搶. All they ask is just $$, and then waste.
Take the example of the fancy bus lane in the middle of no.3 road, a while ago. 1 year or 2 after completion, now all gone and replace by the Canada Line.
And the new glass bus stop. Do we need that fancy bus stop? Especially in time of tight budget? Why can't we just refurbish the existing wooden ones? I think it is better than glass ones, at least the old one provides some shades under the sun.
Another example, the new Bus Lane on Hwy 99 (from Stevenston to Bridgeport exit). Why did Translink spend 7million (saw from the sign) to build a dedicated BUS LANE, not even HOV lane? As the Canada line is completed, there are already less buses to go from Richmond side to Vancouver. Why spend so much $ on another bus lane? Spend those $ then grab our pocket ? That doesn't make sense.
As for toll bridge, I agree if there is NEW bridge, then it makes sense to pay. But for existing bridges, not at all.
sorry..my comment was more directed to Lik's...but the hwy 99 shoulder lane project was funded by the province not translink...so just not to be confused here..and i believe its more to do with buses to the airport or to the riverrock stn from the outlying area during morning rush hour..since the hov lane ends at bridgeport
Not sure how this has anything to do with what I said...
-Lik
Lik 發表於 2009-9-17 15:20
If Gregor Robertson is stupid enough to impose tolling on all 3 bridges between Vancouver and Richmond, he can almost certainly kiss his next term of mayorship goodbye.
Gregor Robertson supports the idea of putting a toll to any road and calls it "fair use". Sure, let's see how many Vancouver people think the same way next time there is a election. In the time people crying foul for things like HST, do you think publicly announcing the support for turning something free to a toll based bridge is a good idea politically?
Translink always asks for money. They can't do anything to MAKE money. Do they know how many people are taking transit without paying??? If they can collect that and really fine the offenders then they will be a lot richer than they are now.
"Build It and they will come" is Translink's way of running things ever since the Expo line. The problem with that is they will run a deficit for a number of years before the line gets enough riders to pay for itself. The smarter way is to create the ridership by using toll, fee, tax and zoning but that's politically suicdal for any public servant.
發表於 2009-9-17 12:25
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