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.
Hamilton Ward 4 Candidate Eric Tuck
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?
Increased frequency of public transit maintaining the Gaps Analysis recommendations and commitment to full implementation of the 10yr Transit Strategy. Conduct and implement direct route/minimal time travel analysis. Improved schedule alignment with Go/Burlington. Improved service to business parks and employment lands. Conduct transit safety audit. Improve cycling infrastructure to improve connectivity. Determine intersections, bridges, on/off ramps for potential enhanced safety upgrades such as cycling/pedestrian protective barriers, signage, markers. Creating a priority cycling network to be maintained during winter. Update the cycling master plan through a gaps analysis. Collaborate with businesses, employers and services to promote adequate, secure parking. Complete pedestrian/mobility safe streets audit with emphasized focus on schools, parks, playgrounds with monitored implementation of recommendations. Commit to open/updated data collection/review regularly. Invite CityLab, MacData, MacChangers and BACCC to work collaboratively collecting/reviewing data to formulate innovative solutions reducing the demands on city staff.
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?
Improved frequency of service with direct connectivity between high demand points. Improved service to business parks and employment lands. Better alignment of connections, Go/Burlington. Fully integrated fare system between HSR/LRT, Burlington. Consultation with six nations for connectivity to HSR. Commit to full accessibility to public transit with reliable snow and ice maintenance. Improved standards for stop locations. Prioritized snow clearing and de-icing of highly utilized cycling lanes. Free publicly funded cyclist repair stations with air pump and water bottle refilling stations. Expanded bike-share infrastructure to improve access and availability. Conduct and implement a cycling gap analysis to update the master plan. Improved advanced communications for planned detours, road/street closures due to construction or disruption. Conduct a feasibility study for full snow removal of all public streets/roads with real time reporting. Strategic planning for gradual re-introduction of friendly streets amenities such as public restrooms, H20-filling stations, benches.
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?
Conduct full and complete safe streets audit with concerted attention to school zones, parks and playgrounds and implement the recommendations ASAP. Commit to a focused Pedestrian & Cycling safety review of all high-risk areas like Bridges, ON/OFF ramps, Transit stops/Hubs, malls for protective barriers, signage, lighting and markers. Create a priority cycling network for snow removal and de-icing. Timely snow removal and de-icing of all transit stops/hubs. Conduct a Transit safety audit of all Transit stops/Hubs that focuses on woman and children. Install emergency call stop buttons with monitored security surveillance with Audio/video at all major transit hubs. Conduct a feasibility study to consider full snow and ice clearing on all sidewalks, bus stops, cycling lanes. Implement a 311 reporting and tracking system that has the ability to prioritize safety risks/liabilities and holds Staff accountable for immediate action. Install rest benches and drinking fountains.
