Let’s See the Letters
The other rapid transit group, the “Coalition”, claims to have the support of 18 groups — NGOs and some BIZ groups:
- Sierra Club of Winnipeg
- Resource Conservation of Mantoba
- Social Planning Council of Winnipeg
- Climate Change Connection
- West End BIZ
- Osborne Village BIZ
- Downtown Winnipeg BIZ
- University of Winnipeg
- Canadian Mennonite University
- Planners Network Manitoba
- Manitoba Audio Recording Association (mentioned 2x in their list)
- Urban Shaman Contemporary Aboriginal Art
- Cinematheque
- H.A.S.T.A.
- Plug In I.C.A.
- Video Pool
- ace art inc.
- Platform: Centre for Digital Art
With the exception of the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ, the West End BIZ, and the Osborne Village BIZ, the remainder of the above list of supporters comes overwhelmingly from the cultural industries, which tend to be left-of-centre politically. Some of the groups, like the Social Planning Council, are more interested in civil rights like “equality”, not making the commute of Winnipeggers FASTER.
Also how can the Coalition prove that they even got written support from these above groups for BRT. If they really have, let’s see the letters. Otherwise anyone can claim support from anyone, but that doesn’t make their case any stronger.
Until then, we remain skeptical.
Posted: July 20th, 2008 under Environment, Transit, Urban Sprawl.
Comments: 1
Comment from Mike
Time: July 21, 2008, 7:49 pm
Well, at the moment, it really doesn’t mean much if any of the transit groups have support of other businesses. It appears that the Transit bus drivers are having a vote on Wednesday to decide if they will go on strike or not. I think it might be time for all supporters of transit to push the city to provide transit that works for the city and also provide the people who operate these vehicles with the proper pay working conditions. If the strike goes on, I’ve heard some people say that they will just think about investing in a vehicle for the future. The strike won’t help to bring about improvements to the transit in Winnipeg. It will reduce the ridership.