tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4088226422072866788.post937949638403773789..comments2024-03-27T22:35:59.040-07:00Comments on Michael Geller's Blog: Opinion HST history bodes ill for TransLink Vancouver Courier December 17, 2014michael gellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08988502321448301128noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4088226422072866788.post-80852759654343148802014-12-23T15:03:54.831-08:002014-12-23T15:03:54.831-08:00Another comment from a Courier reader:
Mr. Gelle...Another comment from a Courier reader: <br /><br />Mr. Geller, <br /><br />I agree with you, as we can't underestimate the stupidity of an anonymous mob, especially in a province where so many people are transit illiterate; this includes the provincial government and MLAs...of all political persuasions. <br /><br />My Christmas wish is that reporters and pundits avoid talking to Jordan Bateman. <br />Is there ONE thing that he approves of? <br />What does he know about transit, besides executive salaries? <br />Does he uses SkyTrain, the Canada line and buses regularly? <br />Is he familiar with transit in Toronto, Montreal, Portland, Seattle, London etc. etc.? <br />Who anointed him as the curmudgeon #1, <br />How many taxpayers make his group of disgruntled ignoramuses? <br /><br />Everybody complains about TransLink, but who is responsible for its board made of people that appear to know little about transit and aren't accountable to the public? <br />Who is responsible? a provincial government that didn't bother to find out what the boards of the many transit authorities (in the G8 countries for example) that run good to great transit systems have in common?<br /><br />The boards of many transit authorities are mostly made of municipal politicians, sometimes with also regional or provincial politicians (depending on the administrative divisions of a country). <br /><br />But the biggest problem with TransLink, from the start, is that provincial politicians, businessmen and the public at large etc. had no experience of transit at all then, unlike people living in towns where rapid transit has a long history <br /><br />Worse still, many of the TransLink office staff are also transit illiterate. I have attended many open houses through the years, first in Vancouver then in Coquitlam, and it was a sad show. They showed videos of modern European tramways--including the famous Strasbourg tram, a sexy gorgeous beast---but were unable to explain all sorts of things about it, such as the frequent question "why do these trams run in streets with few or no cars?" <br /><br />If the provincial government doesn't know that transit companies, railway companies etc. own real estate that provides them with a sizable income (Japanese private railway companies--like the Hankyu-Hanshin company in the Osaka region are a perfect example) shouldn't TransLink very well paid CEO enlighten the Premier? <br /><br />Andy Byford, Toronto transit CEO,does not own a car, and use the TTC for both personal and professional travel, along with a car-sharing program. Byford commutes to TTC headquarters by transit. He is often seen in subways stations, where he talk to passengers (but then he worked for many years for London's transit...) <br />His yearly salary is around $ 300 000..A lot less than Ian Jarvis, even though Toronto transit system is bigger than Translink... <br /><br /><br />By the way, the board members of TriMet are volunteers. The transit fares are very reasonable. TriMet used to have 3 zones, but has had only one zone for a few years now, just like many towns in Europe, including Lyon in France. <br /><br />Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, is, amongst other duties, fully in charge of the Transport for London. <br />The Mayor rides his bike across London, or take cabs when in a hurry. Based on his posted expenses account he doesn't spent a fortune on cabs...<br />He is supervised by the members of the London Assembly, who each get a yearly transit pass (a taxable benefit) between downtown and the transit zone where they live. These passes aren't cheap (There are 9 main zones; for zone 1-9 + Watford Junction it cost £3,268. The fares will increase next Jan.1st ). <br /><br />Thank you so very much! <br /><br />Jean-Louis BMichael Gellerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18314216534720079965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4088226422072866788.post-25399804822061644652014-12-20T16:49:45.319-08:002014-12-20T16:49:45.319-08:00Dale Laird wrote to me as follows:
HST history bod...Dale Laird wrote to me as follows:<br />HST history bodes ill for TransLink<br /><br />Yes, Christy is passing the buck because she doesn't want to be blamed, but saying NO to the sales tax won't force her to step up to the plate. She has dumped the funding question on to the Metro Mayors and nothing will change that. If this pelebiscite fails, the mayors will be forced to go back to the drawing board. We might like even less their next option - like a mobility tax or a property tax.<br /><br />Blaming TransLink for the faregates/Compass Card failure is totally unfair. TransLink didn't want to go there in the first place. It was Kevin Falcon, backed by the Liberals, who forced TransLink to buy this fare system based on a questionable business plan. When you cruch the numbers, it is obvious that the faregates/Compass Card will cost more to buy and operate than the additional revenue it will generate. (I can supply you the proof)<br /><br />Finally, you have made the same mistake as all media spokes people. This is not a "transit" tax. To call it a transit tax is a diservice to your readers. It is a "Transportation" tax. TransLink is responsible for a lot more than transit. TransLink is responsible for many roads and bridges (Pattullo replacement) in Metro Vancouver. If the tax is approved, the biggest winners will be motorists, but they can't see that. Winners with improved roads and bridges and winners by reducing traffic volumne as some motorists switch to improved transit or at least transit riders are not forced back into driving.<br /><br />Then there is the stupid name of the tax - Congestion Improvement. Shouldn't it be Congestion Reduction?<br />Michael Gellerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18314216534720079965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4088226422072866788.post-941454245157576922014-12-19T22:03:28.035-08:002014-12-19T22:03:28.035-08:00Throughout the entire country ..unquestionably the...Throughout the entire country ..unquestionably the British Columbia voter is least sophisticated..always shooting themselves in the foot.<br />The NDP /BILL VanderZalm were ruinous and lost a golden opportunity.<br />The H.S T. Was right for BC .<br />enough dumb people disagreed???After the fact...https://www.blogger.com/profile/02154635315988940633noreply@blogger.com