Federal Liberal Party Leader Visits Smart Commute 404-7

The Liberal
 Dion stops short of promising Phase 2 Viva funding

Feb 20, 2007

 (York Region) - Federal Liberal Leader Stephane Dion said Saturday he is impressed by York Region's rapid transit system.

Braving the bone-chilling temperatures, Mr. Dion hopped aboard a Viva bus in Richmond Hill and was briefed about plans for future phases of the Viva system.

Along with the briefing, he also received a message: while Viva has been successful, more money is needed to keep the system growing.


Hon. Stephane Dion and Richmond Hill MP Hon. Bryon Wilfert discuss Smart Commuting with local & national media on a modern York Region Transit VIVA bus, during the federal Liberal leader's recent visit

Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti, who was also on hand, explained the need for Viva to move into the next phase with designated bus lanes.

"As much as we transfer some of the passengers from vehicles onto the buses, it only truly becomes a rapid transit system when you get those right of ways built," Mr. Scarpitti said.

"They are not working effectively now because they are mixed in with conventional traffic."

While Viva has won numerous accolades since the first bright blue bus hit York Region roads in 2005, planned designated lanes have been delayed while the region waits for federal funding.

Creating more viable transportation is among one of his key priorities, Mr. Dion stressed.

"I am hoping that the current government will continue the funding to the Viva program through Transport Canada," he said.

"There is no reason why it's not done. It's at the core of what I intend to do as a prime minister."

While he stopped short of promising Phase 2 funding, Mr. Dion was puzzled why the funding hasn't been provided.

"The program still exists at Transport Canada and the money is waiting," he said. "I'm very surprised that the second phase is not funded as it should be."

Viva wasn't the only local initiative directed at minimizing traffic on York Region streets on which Mr. Dion was briefed.

Representatives from Smart Commute 404-7 were also on hand to describe how successful carpooling has been in Markham and Richmond Hill.

The CarpoolZone.ca website, a project of Smart Commute, allows people to be matched up with others in their workplace so they can carpool.

There are 80 companies signed on to Smart Commute 404-7 programs, representing 250,000 employees, Richmond Hill Mayor Dave Barrow said.

Politicians also boasted about a joint project between the Richmond Hill Chamber of Commerce and the Markham Board of Trade.

Lunch Express is a bus shuttle that circles the Leslie and Hwy. 7 commercial hub every Friday.

"In the first two months, we had over 400 passengers use that service during the lunch hour.

"That's 800 vehicle trips, less congestion and less greenhouse emissions," Mr. Scarpitti said.

This was not Mr. Dion's first visit to York since winning the Liberal leadership in December. He has visited Markham twice in the past month.

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