CALGARY – Calgary-area municipalities are growing impatient with the Stelmach government over its management of the $2-billion Green TRIP transit fund, as they’re still waiting for program criteria and cash to flow.
The Tory government announced the green transit initiative nearly two years ago when oil prices were around $140 US per barrel and the province was projecting a record surplus.
Funding criteria for the Green Transit Incentives Program (Green TRIP) were to be released by the fall of 2008, but the initiative was thrown to the back burner as the government fell into red ink during the economic downturn.
The spring 2010 provincial budget offered $470 million over three years for the program, but Calgary and surrounding communities are still waiting for the government to release funding guidelines, as well as the cash to cover buses already purchased.
The Calgary Regional Partnership board — an umbrella group representing cities and towns in the area — has requested $153 million in initial provincial funding and is hoping government details will be released before its general assembly meeting next week.
"We’re sure hoping we hear something before then . . . Nobody has heard anything," said Linda Bruce, Airdrie mayor and chairperson of the regional partnership. "We would like to have a sense of where they are on this."
Airdrie will start its first public bus service with Calgary this fall. Unable to wait for Green TRIP guidelines, the city’s council has already purchased three $700,000 long buses, which the community of 38,000 will use for its Intercity Express.
"We need some confirmation of funding," Bruce added.
Transportation Minister Luke Ouellette, who had promised the program’s funding criteria by mid-June, said there’s "a good possibility" the details will be released before the regional partnership’s meeting next week.
"We’re real darn close," Ouellette said Thursday, noting he’s been very happy with the co-operation of municipalities. "It will be soon."
The largest portion of the region’s program funding would go to Calgary Transit improvements, since all regional buses would drop off at Calgary LRT or bus rapid transit stations. The proposal includes 15 light-rail cars and 100 long or "articulated" buses over three years to handle those new passengers.
The region’s blueprint would see Cochrane get four buses (likely double-decker) once the program starts, with the community planning to offer express service to Calgary’s northwest LRT line by 2012.
Cochrane Mayor Truper McBride, who leads the region’s transit push, is anxiously waiting for the province to roll out its Green TRIP plans.
Municipalities recognize the government has faced financial turmoil over the last few years, he said, but
nevertheless need some clarity on the province’s vision for the program and what will qualify for cash.
"We’re standing at the starting line on this one waiting for the minister," said McBride.
McBride has grown frustrated with Ouellette’s concerns that some of the transit proposals aren’t "innovative" enough, when the program was originally created for such things as purchasing transit vehicles.
Ouellette, however, said the proposals can’t simply be to purchase transit vehicles. The region must prove how its plans will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and get more people riding public transit, rather than simply shuttling people who don’t have a car.
"They’re going to have to prove to me how they are going to get bums in seats," the minister said. "They’re going to have to also show that they’re reducing greenhouse gases."
Liberal Leader David Swann, a longtime advocate for green public transit, said Green TRIP should be near the top of the government’s agenda despite the financial struggles it faces.
jfekete@theherald.canwest.com
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