Green Action Centre will be hosting the following FCM (Federation of Canadian Municipalities) webinar on "The Future of Transit in Canada" on Thurs, Feb. 3rd. If you would like to join us, please let me know at * beth@greenactioncentre.ca*. Hope to see you then!

cheers, Beth

925-3772

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Webinar: * The Future of Transit in Canada *Date: *Thursday, Feb. 3, 11 to 12:30 p.m. CST * Location: *EcoCentre boardroom, 303 Portage Ave, third floor* (enter via elevator inside front doors of MEC)

*Speakers: *

- Michael Roschlau, President and Chief Executive Officer Canadian Urban Transit Association http://www.cutaactu.ca/ (CUTA)

- Don Hull, Director of Transit, City of Hamiltonhttp://www.hamilton.ca/index.htm(Ontario)

- Derek Bacchioni, Treasury Manager, TransLink http://www.translink.ca/(British Columbia)

- Derek Stewart, Manager, Environmental Sustainability, Coast Mountain Bus Company, Ltd. http://www.coastmountainbus.com/

*Session description: * How will we get around in our cities in the future? What transit options fit the size and form of my community today? How do I improve service to increase active and mobile transit tomorrow?

This webinar will begin with CUTA’s Transit Vision 2040http://www.cutaactu.ca/en/publicationsandresearch/vision_2040.asp, which explores changes likely to take place in Canadian communities over the next generation. These changes and strategic directions can optimize public transit's contribution to our quality of life. Let’s prepare for these changes by sharing knowledge and best practices.

The City of Hamilton’s revitalized B Line Bus rapid transit linehttp://www.sustainablecommunities.fcm.ca/Search/PDF/GMEF9458_CS_e.pdfcombines hybrid bus technology, service improvements and social marketing to increase ridership and improve service. Learn why these steps fit Hamilton’s local context and their experiences since initial implementation in 2007http://www.hamilton.ca/NewsandPublications/NewsReleases/2007News/April/07-04-03ph.htm.

The webinar will also profile several initiatives in Metro Vancouver, supported by TransLink and FCM's Green Municipal Fund. These innovative sustainable transit initiatives point the way toward this vision for 2040, including:

- Jack Bell Ride-Share's Online Ride-Matching Project & Enhancementshttp://online.ride-share.com/en/my/index.php

- Main Street Transit & Pedestrian Priority Projecthttp://www.translink.ca/en/Be-Part-of-the-Plan/Projects/Main-Street-Upgrades.aspx

- Feasibility Study for the Metro Vancouver Public Bike Systemhttp://www.translink.ca/en/Cycling/Public-Bicycle-System.aspx

- Bike Transit Centres

- Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) Pilot Retrofit Testing for Natural Gas Buseshttp://www.translink.ca/en/About-TransLink/Media/2005/September/TransLink-bus-demo-project-tests-the-power-of-tomorrow.aspx

- Diesel Oxidation Catalyst Retrofits