Wake Up Winnipeg - Mayor to ask administration to explore light rail transit

We are reporting live from City Hall today to explore the option of Light Rail Transit to the University of Manitoba.

We're mid session now, but here is the media release from the Mayors Office regarding the topic. Expect a report soon!

Mayor to ask administration to explore light rail transit

Katz wants to see business case for long term transportation solution

Winnipeg, April 16th, 2010 – Committed to ensuring that Winnipeggers have the best option of rapid transit for the development of our City’s future, Mayor Sam Katz will present a motion to Executive Policy Committee (EPC) to direct the administration to explore the option of light rail transit.

As a first step in the development of a long term strategy for a rapid transit system in Winnipeg, all levels of government have committed to funding stage 1 of the Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor from downtown to Jubilee Avenue.

“I remain committed to working towards building a rapid transit system in the City of Winnipeg,” said Mayor Sam Katz. “But we need to ensure that what we build makes sense for the long term development of our City and provides Winnipeggers the neccessary incentives to leave there car at home and embrace public transportation alternatives, and provides solutions for financing with all our funding partners.”

The expansion of rapid transit facilites in Winnipeg has the potential to increase transit ridership, reduce reliance on automobiles, and achieve significant greenhouse gas emission reductions. A potential stimulus for future development in terms of density and infill neighbourhoods could also increase along rapid transit corridors with the long term construction of light rail transit.

“Winnipeg is experiencing an unprecedented level of growth, confidence, and commitment. We’ve recently been cited as one of the best cities to do business and Winnipeggers should celebrate the accomplishments we’ve made, especially during a global recession,” said Katz. “With all of the major projects underway here in the heart of the continent, we need to be sure we are thinking big picture and making decisions that look 20 years into the future, not 20 years in the past.”

MOTION 1

MOVED BY: Mayor Sam Katz
Seconded By: Councilor Steeves

WHEREAS reducing greenhouse gas emissions is essential for the protection of human health and our environment;

AND WHEREAS Manitoba has enacted legislation that requires the province to keep its Kyoto commitment for 2012 and sets long-term goals for further reductions by 2020 and 2025 across all sectors of the Manitoba Economy;

AND WHEREAS The Climate Change and Emissions Reduction Act enshrines in the 50/50 transit funding partnership to ensure the Province continues to pay one-half of Winnipeg transit's net operating costs, including rapid transit;

AND WHEREAS The Rapid Transit Task Force recommended one-third City/Provincial/Federal cost-sharing of a rapid transit system;

AND WHEREAS as first step in the development of a long term strategy for the development of a rapid transit system in Winnipeg, the City of Winnipeg, the Province of Manitoba and the Government of Canada have committed to funding for Stage 1 of the Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor, which is being constructed;

AND WHEREAS the expansion of rapid transit facilities in Winnipeg may help to increase transit ridership, reduce reliance on automobiles and achieve the Province's long-term greenhouse gas emission reduction goals;

AND WHEREAS rapid transit offers a potential stimulus for future development potential in terms of density and value, and light rail rapid transit may present an opportunity to increase development potential along rapid transit corridors;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City of Winnipeg Public Service be directed to review the applicability of light rail rapid transit and report back to the Executive Policy Committee in 90 days with a business case that includes:

(i) an analysis of a comparative costs per kilometer for bus rapid transit and light rail rapid transit;

(ii) an analysis of the comparative advantages of bus rapid transit and light rail rapid transit;

(iii) prioritized options for light rail rapid transit routes;

(iv) recommended options for the type of types of light rail technology that might be appropriate for use in Winnipeg;

(v) comparison and quantification of anticipated benefits of light rail rapid transit vs. bus rapid transit including: incremental taxes generated from development, ridership increases, deduction of greenhouse gas emissions; and

(vi) funding options, including a strategy for pursuing intergovernmental funding.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that funding to a maximum of $100,000.00 be approved for costs associated with undertaking such analysis, to be allocated from Transit Capital Account No. 442-181000-420755-4220000309 (Transportation Authority Study).

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that any contracts awarded in association with the preparation of such business case that are estimated to exceed $100,000.00 must be tendered through a competitive RFP process.


MOTION ITEM 2

Moved by (Councillor Gerbasi)
Seconded by (Councillor Vandal)

WHEREAS rapid transit is a high priority for infrastructure investment;

THEREFORE IT BE RESOLVED THAT Item 2 of the Report of the Executive Policy dated April 21, 2010 be amended to include the southwest Rapid Transit Corridor between Jubilee at Pembina and the University of Manitoba under the list of projects endorsed by council as City of Winnipeg infrastructure priorities for intergovernmental funding from the government of Canada and the Province of Manitoba through the Building Canada Fund.