You might not ever be a bus driver but you could drive the future of transit service in the Tri-Cities, Anmore and Belcarra by participating TransLink's new online survey.
Available now at http://nesatp.metroquest.ca/, the survey asks participants to state their priorities and preferences on a variety of different scenarios, such as boosting rush-hour service or increasing service to Coquitlam's northeast.
After completing the survey, which takes about 15 minutes, participants can compare their choices to the views of other people who have waded in on the topic
"We're working with stakeholders, a public advisory committee, municipal partners and the public to build upon the results of Phase 1 and work toward a 30-year vision and short term priorities for the area," Bob Paddon, executive vice president, Strategic Planning and Public Affairs at TransLink stated in a press release.
The survey acknowledges that trade offs will have to be made to prioritize transit investments and asks people whether their prefer better local routes, fewer transfers, enhanced midday and evening service, shorter trip times, more regional links, more service in busy areas, improvements to rush hour service or an expansion of service to new areas.
In the last public consultation, which took place in spring, more than 1,100 people discussed issues facing the region and and opportunities for the future.
When it's complete next fall, the Northeast Sector Area Transit Plan will be used to coordinate transit and municipal land use planning for the area's transit network.
The project comes as the region is trying to figure out how to pay for transit and transportation infrastructure to meet the needs of a growing population. The province is calling for a referendum to take place no later than November, 2014 but the region's mayors fear it won't be winnable without a massive public education campaign.
- with files from Jeff Nagel
