Rick Borland was the Director of Winnipeg Transit for 24 years. He retired from the City of Winnipeg in January of 2005. The Winnipeg Green Party talked to Mr. Borland in February about Winnipeg's transportation issues.

WGP: What do you think should be Winnipeg's public transit priorities in the next few years?

RB: In the short term, City Council should be concentrating on the implementation of the system improvements they approved on February 22nd 2006, when they approved the "Implementation Plan for Rapid Transit Task Force Recommendations."

In addition to these short term improvements, City Council clearly needs to make a significant investment in Rapid Transit in order to provide residents of Winnipeg with a viable alternative to travel by private auto. Their target should be to complete the first phase of the Rapid Transit Plan (Stage 1 of the Southwestern Busway) by 2010, and the second phase (Stage 1 of the Eastern Busway) by 2012.

In addition to these measures to improve the system, City Council should also be working with the Province of Manitoba by taking measures to increase ridership, including the subsidization of a Universal Bus Pass program for all students at the City's two universities and Red River College, as well as expanding the EcoPass program to all employees of the Provincial Government and its Crown Corporations

WGP: What are some of the most effective ways of improving Winnipeg's overall transportation system?

RB: City Council needs to start by committing to a transportation/land use plan, through the Plan Winnipeg planning process, that reflects an emphasis on the environment, sustainability, healthy living, and cost-effective management. A part of this plan should be to encourage higher density and seniors' oriented developments along high service radial transit corridors. Increasing property value assessments relative to building value assessments should be considered in order to encourage more intense use of urban land. This plan should also look at modifying the zoning bylaws to include parking credits for developer financed transit facilities as part of major private developments such as shopping centres etc.

The impacts of major proposed developments on the regional transportation network need to be quantified and the responsibility for resolving these transportation implications must be equitably shared by the developers.

WGP: How can the City deal with all its transportation infrastructure needs?

RB: It really becomes a matter of establishing and maintaining its priorities. The first priority needs to be maintaining the existing infrastructure. The second priority should be to upgrade the public transit infrastructure, including rapid transit. The third priority should be to develop active transportation and transportation demand management measures to optimize the use of existing infrastructure. The fourth priority would be to expand the major regional street system in order to accommodate new developments.

WGP: How do you propose an improved transit system, including expanded public transit, be financed?

RB: The City needs to continue negotiations with the federal government, as part of the Big Cities Coalition, for dedicated funding to maintain and expand urban transportation infrastructure. Of this funding, 20% should be allocated to public transit, 70% to the regional street system, and 10% to active transportation and transportation demand strategies.

The City should also be negotiating with the Province of Manitoba for dedicated funding for urban transportation infrastructure that supports provincial environmental objectives.

The city should also be negotiating with the Province of Manitoba to increase transit operating grants, including a long term commitment to a 50% - 50% partnership arrangement for funding Handi-Transit.

WGP: Anything else you would like to see?

RB: City Council's short term plan for improvement to the transit system is based on a major expansion to the current diamond lane system. In order for this approach to be effective, appropriate enforcement of the diamond lane restrictions, by the Winnipeg Police Service, will be critical to its success.