2022 09 01 | Update
Re: Resolution #1 Safety and Speed Mitigation Measures on Provincial Roads
Yesterday, the Regional District received notice from UBCM that my request for a meeting with Provincial Cabinet Minister Fleming is confirmed. I, along with another director, will have a 15-minute audience with Minister Fleming to share our concerns about the lack of speed mitigation opportunities for rural residential roads (see Resolution #1 below). We will also discuss Public Transit Cost Apportionment.
I'm pleased that my resolution caught the Minister's attention. There is never enough time at these Ministry meetings; however, I will leave an Issues Paper with his staff. We hope to convince MoTI that not all rural residential roads are identical. Some rural residential areas must be permitted to enhance safety measures/speed mitigation to protect citizens.
Re: Resolution #2 Ride Sharing
UBCM has informed the RDOS that this resolution is similar to others submitted and is referred for discussion simultaneously. This discussion/debate will take place at UBCM.
2202 03 09
SILGA is the organization that represents all of the municipalities and regional districts within BC's southern interior. At the end of April is the annual SILGA conference where local representatives put forward resolutions for debate. Endorsed resolutions are then brought to provincial conference in September (UBCM). Eventually a response to those resolutions is provided from the provincial government. Here is the response to the UBCM 2021 Resolutions.
I have put forward two resolutions for debate in April.
Resolution 1
Safety and Speed Mitigation Measures on Provincial Roads
Whereas the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure does not install speed humps or other types of vertical deflections on provincial roads, giving the rationale that provincial roads belong to all the citizens of British Columbia as they serve to promote the economy and inter-provincial movement of people and goods;
AND WHEREAS the criteria provided by the Ministry of Transportation applies to all roads under the Province’s jurisdiction, whether they are numbered highways, rural roads or local subdivision roads:
NOW Therefore be it resolved that Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure develop a matrix to determine the primary use(s) of the provincial roads, and base safety and speed mitigation measures on the primary use(s) of provincial roads rather than a blanket criteria.
Context Statement:
The Regional Traffic Engineer applies consistent criteria for all roads under the province’s jurisdiction, whether they are numbered highways rural roads or local subdivision roads. As a general rule, the Ministry does not install speed humps or other types of vertical deflections. This means that a community in a rural area cannot advocate for speed humps or other measures to address known pedestrian safety issues because all roads are classified the same. The Ministry does not put vehicle restrictions (such as truck restrictions) on our roads except hazardous material routes and height and width restrictions. Consequently, because our roads are not deemed “private” roads for the local citizens but roads for all citizens, traffic calming measures such as speed humps or other safety measures are not an option.
Resolution 2
RIDE SHARING
WHEREAS Ridesharing is a convenient, safe and responsive service which benefits local residents and the tourism industry as well as fosters economic growth;
AND WHEREAS There exists a public need for the service and within smaller communities, ridesharing offers a more reliable option where traditional services are often inconsistent;
AND WHEREAS it has been shown that taxi companies can financially tolerate the introduction of ridesharing companies, and ride-sharing has been proven as a benefit to impaired driving reduction;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the BC Passenger Transportation Board implement a viable ride-sharing service regulation which will address passenger transportation issues in small, rural, and remote communities.
Herald article re: Resolution
Transit Cost Apportionment (the other resolution to be discussed with Minister Fleming at UBCM
Background: Regional transit system service levels and budgets are approved each year by local government, who also set fares and local property taxes to pay their contribution of transit costs. However, while the local government must approve the budget, the budget amounts are controlled by BC Transit. For conventional transit service BC Transit pays 46.69% of the expenses. The BC Transit cost sharing formula is consistent for urban and rural areas. A request is being made to determine if the 46.69% is fair to the rural areas. Rural areas would have a higher operational cost, repairs, salary, and fuel, as the route would be longer and less revenue would be taken in as there would be less commuters.
Request: That BC Transit's share of the expenses be increased for rural routes.