POLICY REPORT

TRAFFIC AND TRANSIT

Date: April 20, 1998

Author/Local: R. Ehm/7424

CC File No. 5554

TO:	Vancouver City Council
FROM:	General Manager of Engineering Services
SUBJECT:	Bus Stop Location Authority

RECOMMENDATION

A. THAT Council delegate authority to the City Engineer to cancel, establish and modify bus stops on streets with established transit service, in accordance with the provisions of the Street and Traffic Bylaw.

B. THAT bus stop installations on streets where transit service is being introduced for the first time, continue to be reported to Council for approval.

COUNCIL POLICY

Bus stop installations, removals and modifications currently require the approval of City Council.

All other curb-use regulations, such as parking, loading zones, taxi zones, etc. are established under the authority of the City Engineer, without further approval from City Council.

PURPOSE

Consistent with the Better City Government initiative, improved response times to the public and to BC Transit can be achieved on routine issues pertaining to bus stop locations, if Council approval is not required.

DISCUSSION

Concerns relating to established bus stops and requests for additional bus stops are routinely brought to the attention of the Engineering Services Department from transit patrons, the general public, adjacent property owners and tenants, BC Transit, and other City Departments. The concerns typically revolve around transit customer service, operational, and safety concerns.

Investigations into the concerns and suggestions proposed are made by staff in conjuction with BC Transit. This team effort on the part of BC Transit and the City help to ensure the best and safest arrangement of bus stops for transit patrons.

When staff have determined that a bus stop should be relocated or a new bus stop installed, adjacent property owners and tenants are advised in writing of the proposal and invited to discuss their concerns with a staff member. This Departmental procedure should prove helpful in resolving or allaying the concerns usually associated with the installation of a bus stop, and will ensure that residents and merchants most affected by a change to curb-side regulations are made aware of the upcoming change.

Bus stop location decisions that tend to generate a high level of debate are usually associated with the implementation of bus service onto a street that is not served by transit. It is recommended that Council continue to be involved in these bus stop decisions as it provides a more appropriate forum for affected merchants and residents to express their concerns directly to Council, following discussions with staff.

CONCLUSION

Many bus stop location decisions are routine and can be dealt with more expediently if the City Engineer has authority to act on staff recommendations.

Bus stop location decisions likely to generate controversy, primarily those on new transit routes, can continue to be brought to the attention of Council. This will ensure that Council and the general public have every opportunity to resolve controversial issues.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver