Topology’s Post

This news article (https://lnkd.in/gYHtXTiY) describes my presentation to the Victoria Transit Commission as president of Better Island Transit (https://lnkd.in/gqWpRtsH ) which advocates for more frequent and affordable bus service on Vancouver Island, particularly between Victoria and Nanaimo. The current service is terrible; only four daily buses between Victoria and Duncan on a route with 25,000 daily vehicle-trips. Local officials are supportive but this ultimately depends on the Ministry of Transportation shifting funds from highway expansions to public transit service improvements. We hope to make this a provincial election issue. If you agree, please ask Transportation Minister Rob Fleming (Minister.MOTI@gov.bc.ca) and BC Transit CEO Erinn Pinkerton (erinn_pinkerton@bctransit.com), and your MLA (https://lnkd.in/gjiV7mhw) to provide frequent and affordable bus services on the #66 and #70 routes, and to improve interregional bus services throughout BC.

As reliance on public transit continues to grow, understanding the responsibilities and liabilities involved in these travel methods becomes essential. In his latest blog, Associate Gabriel Lessard explores the critical topic of accidents on trains, buses, and LRT systems in Ontario. 🚆🚌 Gabriel delves into the complexities of injuries sustained while using public transit, discussing the high duty of care owed to passengers by operators, the consequences of the "no crash, no cash" rule, and recent notable cases involving public transit injuries. This blog is a must-read for anyone navigating the public transit landscape in Ontario. Click the link below to read more and learn valuable information about your rights and options. https://bit.ly/3ZlkPev

As reliance on public transit continues to grow, understanding the responsibilities and liabilities involved in these travel methods becomes essential. In his latest blog, Associate Gabriel Lessard explores the critical topic of accidents on trains, buses, and LRT systems in Ontario. 🚆🚌 Gabriel delves into the complexities of injuries sustained while using public transit, discussing the high duty of care owed to passengers by operators, the consequences of the "no crash, no cash" rule, and recent notable cases involving public transit injuries. This blog is a must-read for anyone navigating the public transit landscape in Ontario. Click the link below to read more and learn valuable information about your rights and options. https://bit.ly/3ZlkPev

Thomas "Alec" More, AICP and the SRF Consulting Group team are working with the Lower Savannah Council of Governments to create a more useable and safe public transportation system! Check out the local coverage. Alec says, “We’ve really learned that there is a market for public transportation services in Aiken County. But we’ve also certainly learned that there are opportunities that we can improve the performance of the service, the efficiency of the service, and just make it a more useful service overall to Aiken and North Augusta." https://lnkd.in/g2fXGBcx

It's Better Transport Week, and what better time to share our vision for transport in the countryside? 🚌 Successive governments have failed rural communities when it comes to transport, forcing car dependency and letting public transport services crumble. From better planning to active travel, Brad Taylor, our planning policy officer, talks through what we think is needed to transform transport in rural communities 👇 https://lnkd.in/dSWQ7-5e

In 2019, a proposal for FASTER Bay Area aimed to transform the region’s transit system with $100 billion over 40 years, but it was halted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, discussions led by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission are underway for a 2026 ballot measure to sustain and transform Bay Area transit, considering significant fiscal challenges and progress in transit integration since 2019. https://lnkd.in/gt5AeNjr #FASTERBayArea #TransitTransformation #MetropolitanTransportationCommission #RegionalTransit #BayAreaDevelopment

This guidebook by Jarrett Walker `Planning-Cities-and-Towns-for-Successful-Bus-Services-2024.pdf` 103 pages is certainly a must read for me. My immediate take away after first 10 minutes ... *Good cities for bus service means cities with good accessibility.* Public transport is useful if people can reach destinations that they value in a reasonable amount of time. *Access to opportunity – sometimes called accessibility* – is a way to measure this benefit of transport services.

𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓘𝓶𝓹𝓸𝓻𝓽𝓪𝓷𝓬𝓮 𝓸𝓯 𝓒𝓲𝓽𝔂 𝓟𝓵𝓪𝓷𝓷𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓟𝓾𝓫𝓵𝓲𝓬 𝓣𝓻𝓪𝓷𝓼𝓲𝓽 🚍🌆 Inspired by the recent article below by Jarrett Walker we would like to discuss the importance of thoughtful city planning for public transit. City planning plays a critical role in supporting effective public transit operations, directly impacting the accessibility and quality of life for communities. Thoughtful planning can transform urban areas, making them more livable and connected. Here are some key points to consider: 𝓑𝓮𝓷𝓮𝓯𝓲𝓽𝓼 𝓸𝓯 𝓘𝓷𝓽𝓮𝓰𝓻𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓣𝓻𝓪𝓷𝓼𝓲𝓽 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓒𝓲𝓽𝔂 𝓟𝓵𝓪𝓷𝓷𝓲𝓷𝓰 1.     𝐄𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲: Properly planned transit routes make it easier for people to reach essential services like schools, hospitals, and workplaces. 2.     𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡: Efficient transit systems can boost local economies by connecting businesses with a broader labor market. 3.     𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲: Encouraging public transit reduces reliance on personal vehicles, leading to lower carbon emissions. 4.     𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐲: Public transit ensures that all community members, including those without cars, have access to essential services and opportunities. 𝓚𝓮𝔂 𝓢𝓽𝓻𝓪𝓽𝓮𝓰𝓲𝓮𝓼 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓔𝓯𝓯𝓮𝓬𝓽𝓲𝓿𝓮 𝓣𝓻𝓪𝓷𝓼𝓲𝓽 𝓟𝓵𝓪𝓷𝓷𝓲𝓷𝓰 1.     𝐎𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬: 🔹 Develop high-density areas around major transit lines to ensure high ridership and efficient service. 🔹 Encourage mixed-use developments that combine residential, commercial, and recreational spaces. 2.     𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬: 🔹 Design streets and sidewalks that are safe and pleasant for pedestrians. 🔹 Ensure that transit stops are within a reasonable walking distance from residential and commercial areas. 3.     𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐮𝐬 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: 🔹 Design bus lanes and prioritize transit vehicles to reduce delays and improve reliability. 🔹 Plan for bus stops in locations that maximize accessibility and convenience for passengers. 𝓕𝓲𝓷𝓪𝓵 𝓣𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼 The success of integrating transit into city planning hinges on collaboration between transit authorities, city planners, and developers. Active participation from senior officials ensures that all stakeholders are aligned towards a common goal. City planning that supports public transit is not just about buses or trains; it's about creating a sustainable, equitable, and accessible urban environment for everyone. By focusing on strategic development, improving walkability, and facilitating efficient operations, we can build cities that thrive on the backbone of robust public transit systems. For more insights and detailed strategies, check out the full article on Human Transit below! 🏗

Buses are a central element of virtually all transit systems, even in cities with extensive rail. Bus ridership is also recovering faster than rail. If cities are serious about transit, they need to be serious about buses. And id they’re serious about buses, they need to hire Jarrett Walker. Nobody is better.