Letter from Director Susan Brice Re: Request for Motion of Support to Establish a Regional Transportation Service

Re: Request for Motion of Support to Establish a Regional Transportation Service

It is with much enthusiasm and solid backing from the Capital Regional District (CRD) Board of Directors that I am asking you to consider supporting establishment of a regional transportation service.

We are all hearing growing public concerns about increasing congestion and travel delays and hearing desires for a more effective, sustainable transportation system that provides affordable, convenient and safe travel options. With 58% of transportation movements in the region crossing municipal boundaries, it is no surprise that residents and businesses are eager to see a regional lens applied to transportation. In response to that and in recognition of the fact that, although some issues can be addressed at the local level, resolution of the most intractable transportation challenges will require collaborative, multi-jurisdictional action, the CRD Board has made creation of a Regional Transportation Service a CRD Board Strategic Priority.

A transportation service would provide the CRD with a mandate to address regional transportation needs to the extent outlined in the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). The CRD developed the RTP in consultation with local government, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, BC Transit and other key stakeholders from across the region to identify a vision for regional transportation along with priority actions and targets.

An FAQ (Attachment 1), the proposed bylaw (Attachment 2), and requisition policy (Attachment 3), are provided for your review. The following points may be of particular interest.

• The creation of the transportation service would initially be cost neutral as it would be focused on the consolidation of existing regional transportation functions and budgets.
• No new funding could be allocated to programs or functions without approval from the CRD Board (see requisition policy in Attachment 3).
• Any new funding could be used to leverage funding from higher levels of government and other partners.
• The transportation service would build upon and complement the strong transportation work undertaken at the local government level and will not interfere with local transportation decision making.

A regional transportation service could, without any new funding, provide the CRD with the ability to:

• collaboratively identify regional transportation priorities
• coordinate inter-municipally
• integrate regional trails more closely with municipal walking and cycling infrastructure
• collect and analyze regional multi-modal transportation data
• more effectively advocate for senior government funding with one united regional voice

The CRD does not currently have a transportation service. Putting one in place requires participating area approval. Introducing new region-wide CRD services happens only infrequently. Before the CRD formally advances the CRD Transportation Service Bylaw and proceeds to seek participating area approval, the CRD wishes to canvas municipalities for support. At its October 12, 2016 meeting the CRD Board directed local government engagement on the proposed service.

For the transportation service to be truly effective it needs full regional participation.

We are therefore seeking the following motion of support from your council, forwarded to the CRD by December 1, 2016:

View Royal municipality supports the establishment of a regional transportation service through the Capital Regional District.

If View Royal is not able to provide support at this time we respectfully request that before supporting a motion of non-support that a CRD delegation be given an opportunity to speak to your council.

If there is a desire for more information or to discuss the service in greater detail, I would be happy to arrange for a representative from the Transportation Select Committee and CRD staff to attend a council meeting within the next two months. In the interim please do not hesitate to contact me directly.

Sincerely,

Director Susan Brice Chair, Capital Regional District Transportation Select Committee

cc: Robert Lapham, MCIP, RPP, Chief Administrative Officer Kevin Lorette, P.Eng., MBA, General Manager Planning and Protective Services Signe Bagh, MCIP, RPP, Senior Manager Regional and Strategic Planning Municipal CAOs

Attachments:

1. Transportation Service Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
2. Transportation Service Establishment Bylaw 2016
3. Transportation Service Funding Requisition Policy