REPORT TO COUNCIL

SPECIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON SENIORS

MARCH 22, 2002

RTS No: 2627

CC File No: 5560-1/3057-1

Council: May 28, 2002

INFORMATION

1. Downtown Transportation Plan

The Seniors Advisory Committee (SAC) agrees with the planning concepts incorporated in the Downtown Transportation Plan (DTP), as presented by the DTP team, and generally endorses the findings and recommendations set out in the "Downtown Transportation Plan, Fall-Winter 2001."

Following are comments and observations regarding specific components of this Plan:

1. The Committee is very much in favour of the Plan's "Pedestrian First Policy" and an "easy-to-use network of downtown transit routes."

a) Pedestrian Improvements - The Committee fully supports the Plan's pedestrian recommendations, especially the "shorter and wider crosswalks", which will help all residents with mobility difficulties. We question how this Plan's proposals will be integrated with those that may come forward from the Sidewalk Task Force.

b) Transit - The SAC strongly supports the continued use of trolley buses throughout the City of Vancouver, and especially in the downtown peninsula. Moreover, all new trolley buses must be accessible for seniors and others with mobility difficulties. The Committee would endorse a "reduced fare route option" only if it is a component of a TransLink service plan or subsidized by downtown businesses; this option should not be subsidized only by City taxpayers. Also, implementation of the extended Downtown Streetcar should not become a burden on Vancouver taxpayers.

2. Parking - The Plan's recommendation to add on-street parking in the West End during peak periods is welcome. The Committee strongly recommends that on-street parking be prohibited at the approaches to all intersections where parked vehicles can obstruct sight lines and block drivers' views of oncoming traffic.

3. Granville Mall - The SAC strongly supports retention of Granville Mall as a bus corridor and pedestrian precinct. It should not be opened up to general vehicle traffic. As seniors, we are concerned about both environmental and safety considerations, and believe that greater priority must be given to bus passengers if we expect to limit the number of cars entering the downtown peninsula.

4. Cycling - The Committee recognizes that a small percentage of trips are made by people on bicycles, but we do not believe that existing traffic lanes should be eliminated to accommodate them. This is particularly true on the three bridges that provide access to the downtown peninsula from the south. We understand that a lower level bikeway may be feasible on the Burrard Bridge and this could be an acceptable solution depending on its cost. Although some adult cyclists are no doubt taxpayers in the City of Vancouver, the Committee would like to ensure that they contribute their fair share of the cost of infrastructure improvements such as bike lanes and bikeways. We also recommend that cyclists be required to learn and obey the "rules of the road" and that they be required to buy licenses and insurance coverage to ensure accountability.

In summary, City Council's Special Advisory Committee on Seniors endorses the Downtown Transportation Plan and commends the staff who have contributed to it.

The Plan does not contain cost estimates nor does it identify funding sources. Taxpayers, and especially seniors, need to be convinced that all beneficiaries are paying their fair share, and that the Plan is affordable over the long term. The Committee looks forward to receiving this funding information as the Plan is put in final form.

"Bruce Chown" "Mary Bosze"

Co-Chair Co-Chair

CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS

The City Manager submits the Information Report from the Special Advisory Committee on Seniors for Council's CONSIDERATION.

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