Re: “Confessions of a transit plebiscite supporter,” Feb. 25.
I am a physician who specializes in public health and preventive medicine — your Medical Health Officer. An important part of my job is working with the mayor, council, city staff, and many others to advance programs, policies, and investments that will improve people’s health and, ultimately, save lives.
Today, I’m writing to urge Vancouverites to vote Yes in the transportation plebiscite. This month, you will receive a ballot in the mail asking if you support a modest 0.5 per cent increase in the provincial sales tax — on average, about 35 cents a day per household — to help fund billions of dollars in transportation improvements.
Evidence, both here and around the world, shows a Yes vote will be a vote for tangible health improvements for all. A better transportation system means increased physical activity, better air quality, and fewer crashes and injuries. It means less commuting time, less stress, and more time for family and friends.
No matter what we may think of TransLink as an organization, this is not a vote about TransLink. Some people I have talked to want to “send TransLink a message.” Yes or No, TransLink will be there after the plebiscite, but a No vote will delay critically needed transportation improvements.
If the Yes vote wins, Vancouver will get more frequent buses and SkyTrain service, five new B-lines, the underground extension of the Millennium line from VCC-Clark to Arbutus, and road improvements on major thoroughfares (Broadway, Granville, Clark Drive/Knight, West Georgia and 41st Avenue), not to mention more bikeways.
These improvements will enable thousands of people — fellow neighbours, working families, seniors and community members like you and me — to shrink their commuting time, spend less time in gridlock and gain quicker access to a lifeline of services, jobs, recreation opportunities, friends and family.
The transportation improvements brought by the Yes vote mean that Vancouver residents will have healthier transportation options.
For example, thousands more residents will be able to integrate short, 10-minute walks into their daily commute and busy lives.
Some of you may never take transit. But you’ll still benefit from the improvements: better air quality, increased traffic safety, reduced risk of injuries, more time to spend with family and a healthier community.
Dr. John Carsley,
Vancouver Coastal Health
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To the editor,
Of course it would be a good idea to improve TransLink, but I am still going to vote No. I have no faith that, even given vast amounts of new money, TransLink will spend it well and we will end up with better service.
[Burnaby mayor] Derek Corrigan is right — first they need to fix the system. Until that happens, all the money in the world will not make TransLink better.
Lynn Kisilenko, Vancouver
