Vancouver has one of the worst commutes
Posted October 18, 2011 7:17 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Metro Vancouver is world class when it comes to the commute. The region ranks in the top 10 in a global list of lengthy metropolitan commutes, just behind cities like New York, London and Toronto.
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities is pushing Ottawa to help cut the time getting to and from work, saying infrastructure problems cost cities billions of dollars every year.
According to Toronto Board of Trade research, Metro Vancouver drivers spend an average of 67 minutes on the daily commute. Toronto and Montreal top the global list at 80 and 76 minutes, respectively.
The FCM is before a Commons Finance Committee’s pre-budget hearing today pushing Ottawa to start planning for the long-term. The Federation wants a national vision for infrastructure for the next 15 to 20 years, and for the federal government to set clear targets for speeding up the commute.
It says years of underinvestment have resulted in rusting bridges, crumbling roads and crowded buses and subways.
Their figures show municipalities own 53 per cent of the country’s infrastructure but collect just eight cents of every tax dollar paid in Canada, with the other 92 cents going to federal, provincial and territorial governments.
On their own, the FCM says municipalities don’t have the revenue tools to rebuild infrastructure.
One way to cut commute times is to build more rapid transit but a new report suggests it’s not just drivers who could benefit.
The realtors at Jones Lang LaSalle say proximity to public transit is also a key factor for commercial developers, who are choosing to locate as close as possible to transit hubs. The report finds office towers near the Expo, Millennium and Canada Lines have lower vacancy rates and higher rents.
BC’s Transportation Minister says he’d like to see work start on the new Evergreen Line within the next few months.
Toronto Board of Trade research on the average total commute time in major metropolitan areas:
City Time (in minutes)
Dallas 53
Milan 53.4
Seattle 55.5
Boston 55.8
Los Angeles 56.1
San Francisco 57.4
Chicago 61.4
Berlin 63.2
Halifax 65
Sydney 66
Madrid 66.1
Calgary 67
Vancouver 67
New York 68.1
Stockholm 70
London 74
Montreal 76
Toronto 80
