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 4 Candidate Tony Brecknock
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?
There are so many things that need working on with regards to creating better, more usable transportation in Burlington. My top priority would be to improve the frequency of public transit routes, with more consistently timed service. We would need to review and complete a feasibility analysis for all routes to and from transit hubs, institutions and businesses during peak and off peak times. Additionally smart or right sizing the transit vehicle sizes would ensure the appropriate model of vehicle would match the intended routes. The current one size fits all transit vehicle isn’t appropriate in all cases and is actually a safety concern in some neighbourhoods. Synchronizations of traffic lights around neighborhoods would aid in bringing congestion down within as we would make it faster to go around and transponders on transit, to signal lights upstream, would ensure a constant flow.
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?
Connecting routes, and timely frequent stops are a must. People need to feel that they can get there safely and consistently. Eco-friendly transportation must come with proper infrastructure. Consistent maintenance, safety precautions and even snow removal must make the user feel comfortable that their chosen mode will be available when they want it. We have to create an atmosphere of trust in the system that when they want to use environmentally friendly transportation it will be there and available, 24/7/365.
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?
Ancillary maintenance to transportation must be maintained. This means proper lighting for parking areas, protection upgrades in transit vehicles, proper snow removal and a safe maintained overall look and feel. There must be proper lock ups for bikes and easy safe private pay structures for fees. As well we must ensure all public transit staff complete diversity and anti-bias training.
