Victoria Transit Future Plan, BC Transit (2011)
This is the official plan that guides investments in the region’s transportation network. It states that “major investments in expanding the road network to accommodate the private automobile do not align with local, regional and provincial planning aspirations.” Instead it proposes a network of bus lanes / rapid transit combined with more buses, bike lanes and improved walking conditions. https://bctransit.com/victoria/transit-future/victoria-transit-future-plan
Regional Transportation Plan, CRD 2014
The Capital Regional District’s Regional Transportation Plan calls for strong policy and bold actions to increase transit ridership and reduce greenhouse gas pollution. These actions include creating transit lanes so transit riders are not stuck in traffic on main routes. The Plan also asserts that the CRD Board is the body that should lead regional transportation priority setting. www.crd.bc.ca/project/regional-transportation/regional-transportation-plan
“Commuting transit riders want improved travel times” Goldstream Gazette (2017)
This newspaper article describes the case for building bus lanes on Douglas / Highway 1 to Greater Victoria’s West Shore. www.goldstreamgazette.com/news/west-shore-on-the-go-part-1-of-3-commuting-transit-riders-want-improved-travel-times/
Transport of Suburbia: Beyond the Automobile Age (2008)
In this book Dr. Paul Mees makes strong argument for public participation in transportation decision making. Mees claims that “citizens have a keener understanding of the need for change than transport planners, with environmental awareness particularly strong among younger residents.” He includes numerous examples where the public has supported transit investments over expanding roads. Read a review, or order via interlibrary loan.
Transportation Transformation: Building complete communities and a zero-emission transportation system in BC, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (2011)
Transportation Transformation: Building Complete Communities and a Zero-Emission Transportation System in BC puts forward a compelling vision for transforming passenger and freight transportation in BC to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It proposes measures to enhance equality and quality of life while winning over the wide range of households who are dependent on cars for their mobility because they have ‘just played by the rules’. www.policyalternatives.ca/transportationtransformation
Just Transportation: Dismantling Race and Class Barriers to Mobility (1997) by Robert D. Bullard (Editor)
This is one of the classic texts on transportation and social justice. One of the key lessons is that automobile dominated cities are unjust cities, and good affordable public transit is a crucial way to advance social justice. It is focused largely on the US experience, but the lessons are widely applicable in Canada and other countries. Read a review, or order via interlibrary loan.
More Resources:
The Victoria Transport Policy Institute has a wide range of information on transit, walking, cycling and more www.vtpi.org