Commentary

Mark Lysyshyn: I’m voting “yes” in the transit referendum to solve #commuterproblems

by Mark Lysyshyn on April 14th, 2015 at 4:10 PM
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      That feeling when traffic grinds to a halt as you approach Lions Gate Bridge #commuterproblems

      That feeling when the SeaBus countdown clock reads 29 minutes #commuterproblems

      That feeling when a full B-line leaves you standing in the rain #commuterproblems

      Long commutes, traffic congestion and infrequent or unreliable transit service don’t make us feel good and not surprisingly, they aren’t good for our mental health. Long commutes and traffic congestion in particular cause stress, symptoms of anxiety and depression, absenteeism at work and decreased satisfaction with life.

      The time we spend commuting in a car is also time we don’t get to spend connecting with our friends and family in the community. In fact, the My Health My Community Survey recently revealed that car commuters in Metro Vancouver with longer commutes feel less connected to their community than those with shorter commutes. A strong sense of community belonging is an important indicator of mental health and wellbeing.

      The improvements that are proposed in the upcoming transportation and transit referendum such as new rapid B-Line bus routes, increased SeaBus and West Coast Express service and new subway and light rail lines will go a long way to help keep congestion and commute times under control as new commuters move into the region. 

      So I’m going to vote ‘yes’ in the upcoming transit and transportation referendum to help improve some of these #commuterproblems but first, let me take a selfie :)

      Comments

      4 Comments

      Rico

      Apr 14, 2015 at 7:50pm

      Good choice, I hope more people do the same.

      Clayton McKee

      Apr 15, 2015 at 12:42am

      While I agree that improving transit is a worthwhile cause, increasing the PST to do so is horrible policy. This is yet another example of the Liberals placing more tax burden on those who can afford it the least. As much as I want all the shiny new transit promises, I'm voting no.

      BurnabyBob

      Apr 15, 2015 at 10:26am

      Clayton - The PST increase is a really bad reason to vote against this plan. Cuts in transit service - likely if the referendum is voted down - will hurt poor and working people much more than a negligible sales tax increase will. On the other hand, poor and working people will benefit significantly from increased transit services. Saving them time and money that they would otherwise have to spend on a car. You have to look at the plan as a whole, not just the tax increase in isolation.

      Seriously?!?

      Apr 19, 2015 at 7:44pm

      I do not believe the promises made by the local transit authority not matter under which name they operate. I do not believe the doom and gloom scenarios, I do not believe the changes promised will be implemented as portrayed nor do I believe this tax is our only option. The mayors support this because their real money comes from developers and they need to keep building to keep the donations coming: that is why we are threatened with 1 million more people.

      Expecting translink to begin spending money wisely at this point is insane: they never have before. The bureaucracy has grown, salaries and bonuses increased,consultants have been paid millions and yet the system is on the verge of collapse and the only solution is more money? How does anyone fall for that schtick? Unless you are part of a herd with a stimulus response to soak taxpayers then you should be demanding an effectively run organization that can handle introducing 20 year old technology rather than what we have running transit now.