Mark Johnson

Former citizen transit commissioner for #ottcity. Transit advocate & daily rider. Views expressed r my own. RTs may ≠ endorsement. Usually use @poli_sci_guy.

[Mark Johnson @Commish_Johnson]

Relevant to today's discussion. Why does no one call out #ottcity for violating its own plan?

[Mark Johnson @Commish_Johnson]

#ottcity's trend of increasing transit fares runs counter 2 its own Transportation Master Plan, dissuading the critical discretionary rider.

[Mark Johnson @Commish_Johnson]

@sarahmeaghang When I was on the Transit Commission, I tweeted a great deal but don't recall ever being trolled. So I suspect a major reason is because u are a strong, determined woman, and some insecure men tweeting (often anonymously) can't handle that. Ignore the bitchers, block the haters.

[Mark Johnson @Commish_Johnson]

Enjoying a ride aboard public #transit near Hamilton, Bermuda. Great bus service across the island!

[Mark Johnson @Commish_Johnson]

Expanding transit into new neighbourhoods only once ridership can be somewhat guaranteed is a recipe for urban planning failure.

[Mark Johnson @Commish_Johnson]

#ottcity's trend of increasing transit fares runs counter 2 its own Transportation Master Plan, dissuading the critical discretionary rider.

[Mark Johnson @Commish_Johnson]

Congestion can be reduced with more transit & restrained auto use - for example taxes, tolls, higher parking charges, reduced road capacity.

[Mark Johnson @Commish_Johnson]

Irony is that drivers don't gain from road "investments", since congestion returns & increases after the construction of more / wider roads.

[Mark Johnson @Commish_Johnson]

Stockholm is far larger than Ottawa (with similar population), yet has much better-developed transit, less congestion.

[Mark Johnson @Commish_Johnson]

Canadian cities tend to be denser than their US counterparts, and also tend to have higher transit riderships – connection is no surprise.

[Mark Johnson @Commish_Johnson]

To expand roads and encourage smoother private auto traffic flow while claiming to support transit is completely nonsensical.

[Mark Johnson @Commish_Johnson]

"We've built our communities around the car instead of building them around public transit." - @Kathleen_Wynne, 2010

[Mark Johnson @Commish_Johnson]

Transit generally safest mode of travel. Injuries and deaths aboard transit vehicles are far less than those sustained in private vehicles.

[Mark Johnson @Commish_Johnson]

Todd Litman: "All else being equal, per-capita crime rates tend to decline as transit ridership increases in a community."

[Mark Johnson @Commish_Johnson]

Building well-planned, high-density neighbourhoods has been shown to encourage transit use, esp when driving is made to be less convenient.

[Mark Johnson @Commish_Johnson]

In Paris and London, for instance, the speeds of vehicle traffic and public transport are nearly equal, encouraging transit use. (2003 data)

[Mark Johnson @Commish_Johnson]

This perpetuates an automotive-centred culture and makes transit less competitive. 2/2

[Mark Johnson @Commish_Johnson]

Public investment in road expansion to make driving easier is equivalent to an investment against public transit... 1/2

[Mark Johnson @Commish_Johnson]

Honoured this year to have taken #transit in Spain, Morocco, Poland, Russia, Hong Kong, South Korea - and of course Canada. Best way to go.

[Mark Johnson @Commish_Johnson]

Interested in #transit in #ottcity? Be sure to attend #BudgetSpeak 2016 with all downtown-area city councillors! https://t.co/EkzhsgeduV

[Poli Sci Guy @poli_sci_guy]

"Affordable public transit is a ticket to the city which all residents, regardless of income, [deserve] to enjoy." https://t.co/71d455vUfL