In case you missed it, the videos from Transit Camp 2023 are now available for free online (https://www.michaeljanz.ca/transitcamp2023). Please give them a watch and share with other interested folks!
The three videos really do offer a "public transit 101" for anyone interested in transportation opportunities and challenges!
I also wanted to offer that I have a few copies of James Wilt's book "Do Androids Dream of Electric Cars?" that are available on loan if you didn't nab a copy.
If you are interested in upcoming transit advocacy, please ask your provincial election candidates what they will do to properly resource cities to support public transit.
Many of you asked about next steps and when we could join together to form our own transit riders advocacy group. Stay tuned by signing up for updates via www.michaeljanz.ca/bettertransit
Post-provincial election, we'll convene a public transit working group to discuss where to from here and how we can amplify the voices of transit advocates in the community.
Are there speakers you would like to see for next year? Let us know!
Thank you again for an unforgettable weekend!
You are invited to be a part of a community conversation learning about the challenges and opportunities facing public transit in Edmonton.
There have been major changes over the past year to public transit. How are we doing?
We expect that these learnings will be an opportunity to learn, connect, and advocate with other public transit users. Our goal is to get organized and build a better transit system for all riders! Raise your voice!
Convened by Ward papastew City Councillor Michael Janz, in partnership with many others including ATU 569, University of Alberta Sustainability Council, Climate Justice Edmonton, Migrante, Working Families Edmonton, Edmonton District Labour Council, the Parkland Institute and many more.
As the weather turns colder, we are reminded again of the enormous cost of the social and humanitarian crisis on our streets in the richest province in Canada. As a resident of Whyte avenue, I see it everywhere around me. Just last night, a gentleman huddled in a sleeping bag in the alleyway next door.. The invisible become visible, often in transit stations, bus shelters, libraries, the remnants of public spaces.
Following my last post, (Raw Deal in the Region: Edmonton's Free Rider Problem) when you pay your property taxes, a percentage of your taxes are subsidizing the costs of the region, helping offset the taxes for property owners in the region. How much is that amount? And what do we do about it?
The City of Edmonton effectively provides various services and infrastructure projects for a Census Metropolitan Area population of 1,563,600, while only generating property tax from its resident population of 1,128,800.90. Before jumping to solutions as to how we can fairly recover costs, we need to correctly diagnose the problem.