On the sidelines of Earth Day, I must talk to you about public transport, but not only for environmental considerations. As you know, this is certainly a way to reduce our greenhouse gases, but also an essential mode of transportation for less fortunate families and an effective way to reduce congestion on our roads. for everyone. In addition, not a week goes by without a business owner asking me for better access to public transportation to facilitate their search for workers.
However, despite the significant positive impacts of public transportation on our society, our network is near collapse. I would even say that the boat is sinking. Inflation has increased operating and maintenance costs, teleworking has reduced revenues from ticket sales, and the arrival of the REM has accentuated the problems, thus creating an immense deficit that no minor adjustment can achieve. could correct. In fact, this is a deficit so large that all STM bus drivers would have to be fired to make up for it. This gives you an idea.
This is why mayors, industry workers and academic experts have been sounding the alarm for several years.
They want to save the boat and the hundreds of thousands of passengers who use it daily. Unfortunately, no one seems able to answer the distress call.
However, solutions exist.
First, it is possible to reduce expenses. The ARTM has identified around ten options that could reduce the public transport bill by around 125 million per year. For example, by pooling certain services such as security, technological platforms or customer service. It would also be possible to reduce the number of organizations managing public transport or to review their business model.
Second, it is realistic to increase the number of public transport users, and therefore the revenue associated with ticket sales. For example, accelerating the construction of housing above train stations, metro stations and park-and-ride lots would increase the number of users, in addition to providing a solution to the housing crisis.
It would also be desirable to encourage large businesses and public organizations to adopt action plans aimed at encouraging their workers to take public transportation. Very good successes in this direction exist in the United States.
Finally, after having reduced expenses as much as possible and increased independent revenues to make up for the shortfall, we will have to choose between increasing public funding for public transport (which implies a tax increase in one way or another ) or reduce the supply of public transport by reducing the frequency of crossings or eliminating certain less efficient bus or commuter train lines. Because no, the first two measures alone will not be sufficient.
Among all the options on the menu, you will have to choose carefully. None of the options will be easy or quick to implement. Some carry risks, and no one wants to raise taxes or cut service. The path to take to return public transport to financial equilibrium will therefore not be easy. But we have a duty to rise to the challenge.
To get there, we’ll need a captain. Someone who sees the big picture, who has the authority to act and the power to change things. Currently, there is panic on board, and no hope is on the horizon. This captain must first of all be the Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility. Because to implement solutions that will reduce expenses or increase revenues, it will be necessary to modify laws, open conventions, reform institutions, use government land, etc. The crew cannot be left to their own devices in times of crisis.
Other public transport networks have recovered from the crisis elsewhere in the world. I hope we remain optimistic; there is no reason why we cannot succeed too. Many people want to help resolve the crisis, but do not know in which direction to row. The directions must therefore be clear, and the work must be done collaboratively. Otherwise, I fear we will be forced to board our life rafts, to the detriment of our communities and our planet.
What do you think ? Participate in the dialogue
reference: www.lapresse.ca