Representatives from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MoTI) were on the Coast recently to present the Ministry’s new BC on the Move Transportation Plan. While some investment areas were highlighted, Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) directors reiterated their concern around the lack of local transit funding.
The new 10-year plan points to things such as investment in side roads, cycling networks and improving highway capacity; however, exactly what that means for the Coast remains unclear.
“What you don’t see in this plan outside of a few different areas is you don’t see a lot of details on very specific projects,” MoTI Lower Mainland district manager Ashok Bhatti told directors at a special meeting on April 23.
“This was done intentionally. The focus of the plan was to start characterizing based on the feedback that we’ve received from the communities across the province as to what the primary areas need to look like.”
West Howe Sound director Ian Winn said he was encouraged by the plan, but said he wanted to “see how it filters down and becomes reality here.”
Roberts Creek director Mark Lebbell and Halfmoon Bay director Garry Nohr both questioned Bhatti on the transit funding freeze handed down this year that has stalled local transit expansion plans.
Lebbell said improving local transit was a very high priority for the Coast.
“It’s a great linear opportunity here. We have the ridership numbers, we have the plans moving forward, and then at the same time we’re dealing with a freeze on transit improvements in terms of the three-year plan from BC Transit, which is really quite disappointing,” Lebbell said.
“I’m looking for a change in the decision around not funding transit improvements. That’s what I’m asking for.”
Ashok said he was open to talking about infrastructure improvements around transit, like new bus stops, but said he wasn’t able to discuss service level funding.
“So what I realize now is our idea of going to see the Minister is the right thing to do, because this is out of your hands, that’s what you’re saying,” Nohr said.
Ashok responded that he could act as a “conduit for some of that feedback” to the Ministry, adding that the service levels are ultimately decided by BC Transit.
“However, do we have active dialogue with BC Transit through the Ministry around these larger programs or what they are going to do? Not at my level, but at some level within our government … what I would be doing is just bringing that feedback to them about what we’re hearing on the Sunshine Coast and they would enter into a dialogue with BC Transit.”
Nohr said he “appreciated that” and offered to provide Ashok with more information about the issue.
