Dear Editor,
As a public health physician and medical health officer for Richmond, an important part of my job is working with the mayor, council and staff of our city to advance programs, policies and investments that will improve health and, ultimately, save lives.
I’m writing to urge Richmond residents to vote “yes” in the transportation referendum.
This month, you will receive a ballot in the mail asking if you support a 0.5 per cent increase in the Provincial Sales Tax to help fund billions of dollars in transportation improvements.
For Richmond, a yes vote means 33 per cent more Canada Line service with the addition of 20 new cars to increase capacity and alleviate crowding.
A yes vote also means a new express bus from Richmond Centre to Metrotown every seven minutes, rush hour buses every five minutes from Bridgeport SkyTrain Station to UBC, and rush hour buses every five minutes from Richmond to 22nd Street SkyTrain Station.
The plan also includes upgraded roads for safer driving, and street improvements for safe walking and cycling for people of all ages and abilities.
These improvements will enable thousands of people — fellow neighbours, working families, seniors, and community members like you and me — to have practical choices in how to get around.
It will allows us to integrate exercise into our busy lives, shrink our commuting time, spend less time in gridlock, and gain quicker access to a lifeline of services, jobs, recreational opportunities, friends and family that keep us healthy.
Even if you never take transit, you will still benefit through: better air quality, reduced risk of traffic injuries for all road users, including those who walk, cycle, take transit or drive, less congestion, and a healthier, more connected community.
This is not a vote about TransLink, no matter what you may think of the organization. But a “no” vote will delay critically needed transportation improvements.
By 2045, Richmond is expected to grow by 100,000 more people and 75,000 more jobs.
This growth will put unimaginable strain on the transportation system. Mayor Brodie will play an instrumental role in ensuring that the plan requires an annual independent audit and public reporting.
This month, we can all make a real contribution to making our community healthier by voting yes for these critical investments in transportation choices.
This is an historic opportunity we can’t afford to miss.
Dr. James Lu,
Medical health officer for Richmond
