March 25, 2024
Photo: Kade McGregor
A new research report says Canada can double public transit ridership by 2035 if federal and provincial governments step up investments, implement bus lanes and focus urban planning to encourage more housing density near transit.
Along with the electrification of bus fleets, Canada can reduce carbon emissions by 65 million tonnes by 2035, equivalent to the carbon emissions of 20 million cars per year.
The report, titled Putting Wheels on the Bus, published by Environmental Defence and Équiterre, was supported by modelling conducted by Dunsky Energy + Climate Advisors and Leading Mobility.
The study found that increasing support for public transit operations lets transit systems improve service, which is important in persuading people to choose public transit over cars to reduce their carbon footprint.
Land use a major factor
But the study also concluded that transit’s biggest contribution to carbon reduction can come from the way we use land. Transit lets city planners devote less space to parking, for example. Transit-based land use would also let people make shorter, car-free trips to go shopping or to appointments. The study highlighted the importance of zoning policy changes that would let cities build more housing near frequent transit service.
The report highlights that while Canada’s climate plan has targets to increase the adoption of zero-emission vehicles, it has no targets to increase public and active transportation or reduce the total number of kilometres travelled by car. The report authors recommend that beyond setting new goals, federal and provincial governments should also create long term, reliable operating funding streams for public transit systems.
“Canada’s current public transit strategy is like a bus without wheels,” said Nate Wallace, Clean Transportation Program Manager at Environmental Defence. “Funding capital projects but not operations is not working to actually improve day-to-day service for millions of Canadians who rely on public transit. This policy choice is not working to shift people who are currently driving onto public transit. If the federal government intends on actually achieving meaningful emissions reductions with public transit, it must begin funding transit operations and encourage provinces to get on board too.