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 5 Candidate Guy D’Alesio
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?
My top priority would be increasing the frequency and consistency of routes. With predicatble and frequent bus arrival passengers can organize their travels with minimized wait times, which increases safety and improves ability to connect with other buses or trains. Increased frequency with consistent timing improves reliability and convenience which would allow residents to reduce car useage and adopt public transit as a primary mode of transportation. Frequent and timely service also increases equity for those who are unable to drive a car, by reducing the time spent waiting for their travel to begin.
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 would seek partnerships to implement a Burlington Bikeshare program with dedicated cycling routes with 2 primary objectives. 1) Travelling from bike stations to mobility hubs. 2) Travelling within the city of Burlington. A grid system of routes and stations should be implemented to allow for both north-south and east-west cycling. E-bikes should be made available for seniors and those with physical limitations to ensure equitable access to environmentally friendly transportation. Additionally all stations and routes would need to maintained year round with route plowing and de-icing.
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?
Public transportation and cycling lanes must feel safe in order to increase adoption and regular usage. Improved lighting and visibility at all bus stops and bikeshare stations is critical. Increased frequency and consistency of bus arrivals reduces wait times, which increases security for passengers, especially for those waiting after dark. Real time data on bus location and arrival time would also increase the feeling of security. Cycling routes need to be protected from automobile traffic with some form of barrier. Protected routes should have sufficient access points and should be plowed and de-iced in winter. In addition to automobile and pedestrian traffic, intersection crossings and controls must also support cycle traffic.
