BACCC asked all municipal candidates for their views on environmentally-friendly transportation options, presenting them with these three questions. Views expressed are solely those of the candidates and do not reflect the views of BACCC or its members. All responses have been reviewed to ensure appropriateness and relevance to the questions posed. We encourage you to make an informed decision by researching your local candidates.
Burlington Ward 2 Candidate Keith Demoe
From the recommendations in BACCC’s Options for Travel report, which would be your top priority to enact to ensure safe, reliable, convenient and equitable transportation options?
Public transit can be improved by giving priority to buses, and other public vehicles on the road. This can be achieved through the implementation of more bus lanes. More money should be invested in public transit going forward…that means more routes and availability with later schedules accommodating night shift workers. The population of Halton Region will be 1.1 million in next 25 years and that means more cars on road. If transit system were efficient and easy access with expanded routes, more people would use Transit.
If environmentally friendly transportation options are not convenient, residents will be less likely to choose those options over driving.
What steps would you take to ensure environmentally friendly transportation options are convenient?
I believe that all going forward purchases need to be environmentally focused. I also would like to champion amalgamation discussions between Oakville and Burlington Transit. They should be amalgamated to provide better accessibility, routes and purchasing power. I suspect most would support a regional/Hamilton system…just makes sense for the benefit of all.
Environmentally friendly transportation needs to be perceived as safe in order to be viewed as a viable option.
What steps would you take to ensure all users feel safe when using all transportation methods?
I agree with comments in the document… ‘designers may consider providing adequate illumination at bus stops, adding an emergency call box to stops and trimming bushes and trees which may otherwise obstruct visibility within bus stops’.
‘Real-time information such as audio announcements can help soothe anxieties with transfers and displays showing arrival and departures times ease the burden of waiting for a bus’. It may make sense to start looking at security hires like TTC.
