Victoria Needs LRT to Serve Ever Increasing Demand. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Victoria Urged to Prioritize LRT for Future Transit Growth
The Ion LRT at the Fairway station in Kitchener, Ont.Brendan Read photo

Victoria needs a transportation system that can handle its burgeoning population, and LRT is the way to go. With more people, lower operating costs and environmental benefits, they say, only light rail can keep up with increasing ridership.

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A 2011 study by BC Transit compared BRT to light rail. Buses carry approximately 120 passengers, while new light rail trains can carry up to 230, almost twice as many, accommodating projected ridership increases.

The cost and capacity edge of LRT

Under the original study, LRT continues to result in a net positive cost-benefit performance, providing an estimated $1 billion more in transportation benefits over 27 years than BRT. This makes it the most efficient investment in long-term urban mobility.

What’s more, articulated buses, while quicker to load and unload than double-deckers, have serious capacity constraints as well. The size and scale of light rail make it a more robust solution for a fast-growing urban region.

LRT Supports Sustainable Urban Planning

As we push for more development that is higher-density (as mandated by the Province), the problem is only going to get worse. Spend the money on rail now or condemn Victoria to gridlock in future, and as a major public transport option for the people who live here and for visitors.

Moreover, rail is one of the more envirnomentally friendly ways to travel. As a result, the city of Surrey’s desire for light rail dovetails precisely with regional environmental and sustainability objectives.

Source: www.vicnews.com

Why is LRT the superior choice for Victoria transit?

LRT has about twice the capacity as buses; LRT encourages sustainable expansion and development; LRT is more cost-effective in the long-run and is the clear choice for the growth of Victoria’s transit needs.

How does light rail measure up to bus rapid transit?

Light rail can move more people per trip, work more efficiently in high-demand corridors and has a longer shelf life and is therefore a better long-term investment than bus rapid transit.

Will LRT congestion in Victoria?

Yes, light rail has the potential to decrease traffic congestion due to its greater capacity and frequency, especially as the city densifies with more housing and a future increase in commuter demand.

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