The mandate for the Environmental Task Force was transferred to the Sustainability Roundtable and then to the Roundtable on the Environment. The following material is provided for archival purposes.

Sustainable Transportation (S.T.) Working Group

Minutes:

Councillor Jane Pitfield, Co-Chair, made introductory welcomes to the Working Group. Councillor Pitfield advised that she is very concerned with environmental issues and would ensure that comments/concerns expressed at these Working Group meetings would be brought to the attention of City Council through her. Councillor Pitfield also expressed thanks for the great response to the Homework assignment.

A "go-around" of brief introductions by those in attendance at the meeting was undertaken. A sign-in sheet was circulated to the group.

Councillor Pitfield then introduced the first speaker, Liz Reynolds of Auto Share, which company is a car sharing network launched last October. The Riverdale, Annex, and St. Lawrence neighbourhoods were initial targets, but the organization has expanded to include areas from Etobicoke to the Beaches. An Organizational Chart of Networked Mobility was passed around to the Group. It was noted that all Auto Share car lots are located at or close to TTC transit lines. Cars can be rented hourly, half-day, daily, or for longer periods. A one-time membership fee of $500.00 is required, refundable upon termination of membership.

The second speaker, Dave Roberts of CUTA, then made a presentation on transit issues, specifically integration and innovation. He noted that the challenge was to develop a mechanism for the whole GTA area for transit fare integration. As far as transit innovation is concerned, Dave Roberts provided the following suggestions:

transit priority - to move buses faster

smaller buses servicing smaller neighbourhoods

alternative funding sources - utility bill surcharges, dedicating a portion of existing fuel taxes to sustainable transportation.

At this point of the meeting, the third speaker, Daniel Egan of Toronto Works and Emergency Services, made a slide presentation illustrating:

growth in auto trips - 1975-1993

map of existing ravine system

bicycle lanes on streets

bicycle rack installations

TTC transit station provisions for bicycle parking facilities

map of rail and hydro corridors - potential for bike trails

Humber River pedestrian/bicycle bridge

transit shelter cycling advertisements.

Daniel Egan noted that the existing City Zoning By-law requires the provision of bicycle parking in all new building construction.

Sue Zielinski then asked if there were any comments/questions on the Homework summary. One suggestion was that the Homework matrix should provide for both short term and long term recommendations.

Sue Zielinski then went through the Small Group Session format and the four focuses for each group. The room then broke up into 3 small groups for discussion. All individual responses were collected for contribution to the S.T. report. Summaries of group reporters= presentations follow.

Key "Moving People" Messages:

Group 1:

establish links to other concerns of the City, e.g. community safety

crucial moment in time - current trends, actions to be significant

integration

the idea that we are gaining something (not a sacrifice)

changing public attitudes

Group 2:

act (no more talk) and implement

use existing revenues to carve and allocate for S.T.

emphasize auto costs

attach priorities to S.T. with respect to land use and transportation planning

message to municipal government to place less emphasis regarding budget on auto infrastructure and more emphasis on S.T. issues

a reversal of current funding policy with respect to S.T.

Group 3:

reduce dependence on transport

reduce dependence on auto

reduce subsidies to private auto users

increase funding for public transit

educate youth to use "human power" transit

Targets:

Group 1:

improved air quality

data collection - gaps/near misses

potential for budgetary goals for S.T.

cost recovery goals

integration of car sharing

decrease in single driver vehicles

introduction of innovative choices

Group 2:

decrease in number of trips under 5 km by auto

budgetary target to shift 97% of funding to S.T.

no new road construction

livable communities - tax base revenue decreased - shift revenue from tax base

Group 3:

Kyoto target - 6% reduction in CO² emissions

cordon counts to equate to 1996

smog alert days

increased ridership of public transit

budget targets

reduction in bicycle thefts

Government and Public Structures:

Group 1:

integration of S.T. criteria into all City departments

establishment of Sustainability Committee, making significant decisions

establishment of watchdog for Official Plan

establishment of safety program for cyclists

change in existing public consultation process structure

Group 3:

provision of public consultation in budget preparation and decisions

establishment of Federal policy for S.T.

change in fuel tax structure - local control to municipality

integration between City of Toronto and GTA

establish support structures for GO Transit and TTC

Group 2:

budget shift to S.T.

G.T.S.B. - GO Transit Mandate

taxable benefit for parking privileges

alternative sources for funding - fuel tax, parking

Evaluation and Indicators of Success:

Group 2:

decrease in vehicle kilometres travelled

decrease in health care costs

decrease in safety accidents

decrease in emissions

Group 3:

fewer road deaths

smog alert days

better integration of transit system

decrease in auto use

inclusion of all public space users

road abandonment to pedestrian or cycling area designations

Group 1:

no indicators (time limitations).

Sue Zielinski then identified the next steps and the homework assignment, and that the next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 10 @ 7:00 p.m., Committee Room No. 4, Second Floor, Toronto City Hall.

Debbie Bernardi made a brief mention of the preparation of an update Directory of S.T. Groups and Projects and handed out copies of a template, to be filled in and returned for inclusion in the 1999 edition of the directory.

The meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m.