Letter from Ivan Leung, Town of View Royal re: View Royal Council Response – CRD Board Transportation Governance Engagement Workshop Package

TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL Engineering & Parks Department 45 View Royal Avenue Victoria, BC V9B 1A6 Phone: (250) 479-6800 Fax: (250) 727-9551 Email: engineering@viewroyal.ca Website: www.viewroyal.ca

Executive Office Capital Regional District c/o Alesha Hayes (via email ahayes@crd.bc.ca) 625 Fisgard Street PO Box 1000, Victoria, BC V8W 2S6

October 3, 2023

RE: View Royal Council Response – CRD Board Transportation Governance Engagement Workshop Package

Good Evening Alesha,

As per Ted Robbins’ request, attached is the completed Questionnaire, endorsed by Council at the Town’s October 3, 2023 regular Council meeting (resolution attached).

It should be noted that members of the Town’s Council noted several comments and concerns regarding the Questionnaire. Council provided these comments and concerns within Question 2D and Question 7 of the Questionnaire, of which was collected and collated by Staff in its totality. The quantity of responses does not fit within the space provided in the Questionnaire; therefore, the responses to Questions 2D and Question 7 of the Questionnaire are included in this letter for the CRD’s review and collation:

Question 2D: Some Transportation services could be more efficiently delivered at a regional level by a new governance structure. If you agree, and have examples, please list up to three services for consideration.

Council Resolution: Agree

Examples:

• Transportation Governance Structure should not be a weighted vote under CRD as issues that dominate the discussion may affect the region broadly such as transit to and from the West Shore to the Core and to the Airport and Ferries. I would see municipal staff with CRD leading services and recommending to a Regional Transportation Authority. The Authority Should be able to make decisions without going to the CRD Board aside from overall budget.
• Extend regional trail widening to Helmcken / VGH major regional employer AND address regional pinch point of GGT / E&N being one along Atkins stretch which is unsafe for pedestrians!
• Extend regional transit dedicated bus lanes along TCH to Westhills W Shore Parkway.
• Consult / partner with First Nations on key areas for adding bike lanes and to establish a rapid transit service along the E&N Corridor.
• Putting the E&N corridor to work. The corridor exists and the opportunities to use it could go beyond traditional trains.
• All vehicle related projects from the West Shore should consider the TCH as the only viable corridor.
• Bike lanes/sidewalks

Question 7: Are there any additional comments or suggestions you would like to provide regarding the understanding of and support for a change in transportation governance in our region?

• I would recommend a tiered approach to governance. Start with Common Standards. Then service design and user journeys. Invest in data systems and automatic monitoring to provide real time data. Set priorities that are realistic based on data and need. The paramount goal must be safety.
• Apply and maintain consistent 50 KPH speed standards along all major collector roads in the region such as the Gorge, Craigflower, etc.
• When Transit fails to establish important regional bus routes like the #40 that serves 3 municipalities and 2 First Nations, one wonders how effective such governance will be.
• Transit and province not being fully forthcoming to staff, Councils and public on municipal impacts of proposed initiatives like park/ride mobility hubs… it lessens credibility of basic consultation and addressing issues, and casts doubt on transportation governance.
• Establish rapid transit routes to airport and ferries now... not today's long and winding road with many stops... duplicate the Translink 620!!
• The deeper I got into this the more uncomfortable I became.
• I feel we are being steered toward an outcome which will result in a new taxation body that will draw funds from and deplete our local infrastructure budget.
• As a smaller and compact municipality View Royal is at a disadvantage at regional tables... local voices on this side of the region outnumbered by the weighted votes to the east and southeast. I envision our goals and what’s best for our town being overwhelmed by the many voices / votes of the larger municipalities.
• This entire questionnaire is geared toward an outcome (e.g., reference to the regional authority as opposed to a hypothetical a) for which we will pay but at a cost to the well being of our town.
• While I recognize the need for better regional transportation – without a convenient method of transportation to the major hubs, they will not be used. Within municipalities there needs to be effective transportation to these hubs – which requires better collaboration and information sharing with the CRD and other municipalities than happens under the current governance structure.
• With the growth of remote working, especially in the provincial public service, I believe priority for transportation is between municipalities to access businesses and other services (including ferry and airport) rather than downtown for employment.

Sincerely,

Ivan Leung, P.Eng Director of Engineering & Parks

Cc: Kim Anema, CAO, Town of View Royal Sarah Jones, Deputy CAO, Director of Corporate Administration, Town of View Royal

Attachments: Completed Transportation Governance Engagement Workbook Certified Council Resolution