Transit Options

From: J Birch Sent: April 14, 2020 2:49 AM To: justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca <justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca>; Chrystia.Freeland@parl.gc.ca <Chrystia.Freeland@parl.gc.ca>; dujarric@un.org <dujarric@un.org>; GlobalOttawa@globalnews.ca <GlobalOttawa@globalnews.ca>; news@skynews.com <news@skynews.com>; tips@GlobalTVBC.com <tips@GlobalTVBC.com>; contact.nbcnews@nbcuni.com <contact.nbcnews@nbcuni.com>; Secretary@HHS.gov <Secretary@HHS.gov>; eurohealthycities@who.int <eurohealthycities@who.int>; newsonline@ctv.ca <newsonline@ctv.ca>; she@emro.who.int <she@emro.who.int>; correspondence@council.nyc.gov <correspondence@council.nyc.gov>; nytnews@nytimes.com <nytnews@nytimes.com>; pkovacs@theadvocate.com <pkovacs@theadvocate.com>; mayor@cnv.org <mayor@cnv.org>; media@translink.ca <media@translink.ca> Subject: Transit Options (Opinion)

Hey Everyone, I understand that during this time the transit system is facing a projected shortfall for finances due to the Pandemic and I was thinking of options to help. I understand that people have been riding the bus at no cost due to social distancing, I was thinking for both environmental reasons and sanitary ones that everyone move to a card based payment system. This is a prepaid card that allows you to tap your fare as payment so you don't need to handle money or a transfer as it acts as both. They have similar systems in Vancouver and Ontario and they have been found to be overall effective, these cards can be reloaded at kiosks or online and it will allow some revenue during this time. Payment can be taken at the back door to ensure that it is the primary entrance to keep the driver safe. I was also thinking that if you have any electric busses you can utilize them to reduce costs for fuel. Additionally you can offer new hospital routes in special sanitized busses to take doctors and nurses directly to the hospital for those with communal cars. This will provide for more revenue and also ensure that doctors and nurses can get to work for a reduced front line worker rate with less risk of transmission to their family. These busses would be specially sanitized and full PPE would be work by all riders to ensure reduced risk of viral transmission between them and the driver. Every night the busses would be cleaned thoroughly for the next day and periodically cleaned throughout the day. Lastly, this might not be the most practical idea but given you would be heading to the hospitals you might also be able to haul PPE cargo within the city to clinics, hospitals and even organizations. This will allow new revenue streams while supporting the much needed medical economy at the moment. Stay Safe, Stay Sanitized and Stay Supportive, John Ames Birch @johneames2