Transit plan at odds with parking strategy

Tue, April 4, 2006

By JONATHAN SHER, FREE PRESS REPORTER



Plans by London Transit to dramatically increase use of buses collided head-on last night with demands by some politicians for more parking downtown to support business.

"Two studies (on downtown parking and transit) appear to be at odds," LTC president Larry Ducharme told council's environment and transportation committee.

Currently, transit accounts for 6.9 per cent of transportation within the city and LTC has set its sights on increasing that to 10 per cent by 2024.

One strategy to increase transit is to create cheap and accessible parking lots outside the city's core where drivers can leave their vehicles and take a bus.

But transit goals could hit a speed bump as the city builds lots downtown to lure motorists.

That clash was obvious to councillor and long-time downtown booster Cheryl Miller. "We have a transit plan that is in conflict with the downtown parking strategy," she said. "I couldn't support (the transit recommendation) tonight."

The differing goals will all have to be considered, staff said.