Sunday, July 18, 2010

2010 Election: Pioro on public transit

Over the course of the 2010 Mayoral Election campaign, Public Transit in Ottawa will be sitting down with as many mayoral candidates as are available, discussing their platforms and thoughts on transit in this city, and what they hope to achieve during their mandate, if elected mayor.

Of the many mayoral candidates who've registered for the run, Stan Pioro appears to be the only one (at least among those who've published platforms) who is running with the intention of cutting back Ottawa's public transit system. In his platform, a 10-page Word document with little in the way of formatting that outlines the substantial proposed cuts, Pioro outlined his intention to reduce the city's investment into public transit.

Although he declined an in-depth interview with Transit Ottawa, Pioro did explain his position with regard to transit in the city through e-mail, in which he questioned the effectiveness of Ottawa's downtown transit tunnel, assumed a cost-overrun on the project which would at least double the bottom line to suggest its cancellation, and challenged the ability of OC Transpo managers to properly administrate the transit utility. His exact words:
I am philosophically opposed to spending billions of taxpayer dollars on mega-projects that benefit a minority of citizens of Ottawa in the downtown core.

The tunnel project and associated work, with traditional cost overruns of a minimum of 100%, will put the City $4 to $6 billion in debt. This is why this project must be killed.

As well, OC Transpo has an on-time rating of 53%. This is abysmal and unacceptable. It is a clear indication that Management has given up, and employees simply don't care. Basic issues must be resolved.

I don't believe that the taxpayer of Ottawa exists for the financial convenience of a Public Utility.

My interest is to concentrate on core services that will benefit the majority of taxpayers in Ottawa - both rural and urban.
Not everyone is in favour of public transit.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Has anyone looked at this guys website? I wouldn't worry about his comments... there is NO way.

Spezzal Teams Playa said...

Oh, I dunno. He seems completely not insane in any way and totally electable, if you ask me.

It's not like he plans to introduce a law that forces you damned kids to stay off his lawn or anything (offer not valid after 10 PM).

BTW, does anyone know where I click to report "laws that are stupid"? I can't seem to find one, as his advanced website frightens and confuses me.

RTWAP said...

It's OK. He's a bit of an idiot.

Maybe someone should explain that the Mayor doesn't get to veto council, or set rules for "public and separate" school boards.

Then again, maybe someone already has.

On the bright side, at least he cares. A lot.