SPEC News Release

Transit First Online Video

November 01, 2007
First Things First

Video shows buses could run efficiently across the existing Port Mann Bridge with economical queue jumper lane.

For Immediate Release

November 1, 2007

Vancouver- Independent documentary filmaker Damien Gillis has launched a short video showing how rapid transit can be returned to the existing Port Mann corridor without twinning the bridge. Effectively, Kevin Falcon's plan to twin the Port Mann Bridge and widen Highway 1 is delaying restoration of transit service across the existing bridge. The eight-minute video, designed for use on the internet and public events, reveals how a queue jumper lane would allow buses to bypass congestion on the bridge approach and get onto the uncongested bridge deck. TransLink planned to have rapid bus in service across the bridge in 2007, until Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon pressured TransLink to wait for a new bridge to be built.

"As an independent filmmaker who's concerned about Gateway, I felt this issue warranted a closer look. People South of the Fraser are justifiably frustrated with congestion along the Highway 1 corridor, and the Campbell government seems to be preying on these frustrations to gain support for Gateway. But the fact is, the public is being misinformed,” said Damien Gillis. “Experts tell us that the only successful way to tackle congestion and climate change is through a major investment in public transit that properly connects the whole region--not by building more freeways and bridges. That's a message I want to help get out to people."

Damien Gillis has produced a series of short documentary films on the Gateway Program, all of which can be viewed on his You Tube channel “damiengillis”.

“Queue jumpers are used effectively at many bridges in the region, and at the George Massey Tunnel. There is no reason not to build one now at the Port Mann” said Eric Doherty, the Livable Region spokesperson featured in the video. “We could have buses running efficiently across the existing Port Mann Bridge in 2008, why wait until 2013 or later?”

The Livable Region Coalition released a suite of transit solutions in January 2006 that would serve to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and relieve congestion on the Highway 1 corridor. Measures include a queue jumping rapid bus service on the existing Port Mann Bridge, expanded SkyTrain capacity across the Fraser River and new rapid bus services in Surrey and Langley that could also connect with a revived Interurban Rail service.

“This video cuts through the government’s spin on the issue. It isn't a matter of engineering, it is only a matter of political will.” said David Fields, SPEC Campaigner. “The Premier has echoed TransLink's call to double transit ridership in Metro Vancouver to lessen our impact on the climate, well, first things first. Leading with a project that will only encourage even more single-occupancy vehicles is the wrong way to go- we need transit now.”

The video will be shown this evening at the NDP hosted Sustainable Transportation Forum to be held at the Ukrainian Orthodox Hall starting at 7pm.

The video is available for viewing on the Livable Blog blog http://www.livableregion.ca/blog/blogs/ and at www.transitlab.ca.

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For more information, please contact:

Damien Gillis, Independent Filmaker, 604-780-2544
Eric Doherty, Livable Region Coalition, 604-877-1223
David Fields, SPEC Campaigner, 604-722-4775