Central Transit Corridor Community Development Strategy

Learning From Other Places

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Changing perceptions, increasing ridersYork Region, CanadaAs part of York Region’s progressive 25 year vision to promote more alternative modes of transportation, the region undertook a detailed marketing strategy to shift public perceptions of transit. An outcome of this process has been the new Viva Bus Rapid Transit system. To increase convenience and enhance the systems image, new buses and shelters incorporating a higher level of pedestrian amenity were deployed on key routes throughout the region. The region also initiated a series of outreach programs to raise community awareness among key ridership growth sectors including students.

Program Benefits:Today YRT/Viva ridership exceeds 21millionThe system has seen the largest increase in transit usage anywhere in CanadaSince 2005 the Viva network has grown to include 6 BRT lines

Quick Facts:Date of Project: 2002-2003 brand development, opened in stages from 2005System Size: 6 Routes, 80km, links 4 emerging urban centresParties involved: York Region Transit, marketing consultants, York Rapid Transit Plan, Vision 2026

From transit network to art galleryDallas, TexasWorking together with local artists, institutions and neighbourhood advisory committees, the DART Light Rail System transformed common station elements such as canopies, columns, pavers etc. into an award-winning collection of public art. A self guiding booklet can be purchased at any station and is promoted to residents and tourists as a way to turn the daily commute into an art tour around the city. The program has turned the transit system into a city icon, celebrating community, diversity and history.

Program Benefits:Positioned transit at the centre of local cultureEffective promotion of ridership and local tourism

Quick Facts:Date of Project: Launched in 1996System Size: 55 stations, 116km, 4 lines Parties Involved: DART, local artists, institutions and neighbourhood advisory committees

CAMBIE CORRIDOR PLAN

Tying new development to green energyVancouver, British ColumbiaAs part of Vancouver’s vision to be the greenest city in the world, the planning for the Cambie Street rapid transit corridor took a unique interdisciplinary approach to new development. The process integrated ideas related to integrated transportation, energy, land-use, waste, water, green space and urban food system planning with an aim of significantly reduce the areas environmental footprint. Densities along the corridor are linked directly to the ability for new development to be supportive of district energy over time, creating specific metrics to guide development.

Program Benefits:Directly ties the reurbanization of the corridor to sustainable targets and metricshas encouraged more wholistic interdisciplinary approach to community design

Quick Facts:Date of Project: SkyTrain Began operation in 1985System Size: 68.7 km, 47 stations, 3 linesParties Involved: British Columbia Rapid Transit Program, Vancouver Greenest City Plan, private investors

Transit partnerships to contain growthPortland, OregonThe City of Portland is constrained by an urban growth boundary that limits its ability to expand outward. By engaging in public-private partnerships with developers along its light rail lines, the city has been able to achieve a number of important goals including: ecological preservation, affordable housing, high-quality streetscapes and public spaces. In the last decade the city was able to meet its 20 year housing objective in just 7 years time on 1/10 the land originally anticipated.

Program Benefits:20-year housing goal met in just 7 years on one-tenth of the projected landInvestment along the City’s light rail and streetcar routes has attracted $3.5billion private investment

Quick Facts:Date of Project: 1986.System Size: 84.3 km, 85 stations, 5 lines Parties Involved: City of Portland, private investors

Taking transit to trailsBay Area, CaliforniaThe Transit and Trails program run by Bay Area’s Open Space Council encourages transit users to explore the local open space network without the use of automobiles. A special map, web-based trip planner and mobile phone application enable users to plan their outings by searching for parks or trails and identifying the best ways to get there by public transit. The applications identify the entrance to trails, contains preset trips and allows users to share their experiences and tips on line for other users.

Program Benefits:Reduce reliance on the automobile to visit the City’s parks and open spacesStrengthens the relationship between transit user and the environment

Quick Facts:Date of Project: 2002 System Size: 45 Stations, 5 routes, 167km Parties Involved: Bay Area Rail Transport, Bay Area Open Space Council

Riding the windCalgary, AlbertaBy Partnering with ENMAX and Vision Quest Windelectric, the city of Calgary was able to develop a program to make it’s C-Train 100 percent emission free. As a result, the system’s reliance on coal and natural gas generated power has been completely replaced by clean, sustainable wind energy. The city uses the program to actively market the transit system as a carbon-free alternative to the automobile. It is estimated that the program eliminates the creation of 47,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually or equal to 8 million car trips.

Program Benefits:The program protects transit fares from rising fuel pricesThe system is able to be marketed as a fully sustainable system

Quick Facts:Date of Project: September 1, 2001System Size: 48.8km, 36 stations, 3 linesParties Involved: Calgary Transit in partnership with ENMAX and Vision Quest Windelectric

Creating a virtual connectionPhoenix ArizonaLight Rail Connect is a local online community that connects individuals, fosters community activism and promotes businesses and organizations along the Phoenix light rail corridor. The network helps promote urban renewal by facilitating communications between interested parties, allowing the formation of highly beneficial and otherwise unlikely partnerships. The website makes it easy to find accommodations, employment and entertainment near light rail transportation, thereby enhancing the vitality of the transportation corridor.Program Benefits:Facilitates communications and partnerships between people and agencies along the corridorCreates a marketing advantage for corridor related businesses and organizations