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Denis Agar (he/him)

@denisagar.bsky.social
2.8K followers 2.2K following 2.3K posts

Transit polls well. We use that popularity to push for more reliable & abundant transit. Let's make it better than driving. I'm in Vancouver, unceded xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and səlilwətaɬ land. ED @movementyvr.bsky.social cohost @dwelltime.ca pod

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Reposted by Denis Agar (he/him)
Jason Paris @jasonparis.bsky.social · 20h
While other global cities thrive on proven solutions, too much of our political class seems determined to ignore them. www.thestar.com/news/gta/bra... #TOpoli
thestar.com
Brad Bradford proposes removing priority bus lanes in Scarborough
Bradford advocated for installing the bus lanes in 2020, as a city councillor, and said it was a ‘big win’ that they would be installed.
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Denis Agar (he/him) @denisagar.bsky.social · 15h
Please keep us updated on Bluesky! I would love to know what kind of development applications come from this!
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Reposted by Denis Agar (he/him)
Michael DeMoor @michaeldemoor.bsky.social · 23h
Hey. Let me know when the Alberta NDP put out a statement forcefully defending Edmonton’s autonomy over zoning and speaking up for housing-friendly policy. Haven’t see it yet. @albertandp.ca ?
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Reposted by Denis Agar (he/him)
Chris Hayes @chrislhayes.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
I've been immersed in research on Reconstruction in Lousiana and it's a very difficult truth to absorb that the white terrorist movement in the South was among the most successful terrorist movements in global history. Took 10 years but it won a total & complete victory through murder and atrocity.
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Denis Agar (he/him) @denisagar.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Wait is someone finally remaking Allo Allo!?
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Reposted by Denis Agar (he/him)
Steve Lafleur @stevelafleur.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
For years - years (!!!) - I pitched the idea that Edmonton was the market-oriented housing model for Canadian conservatives. I always got the that's nice, too niche treatment. Sure enough, the model is working as expected. And now it's not niche, it's...bad? Proof that culture Trump's ideology.
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Reposted by Denis Agar (he/him)
Conrad Nobert @conradnobert.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Virtually any Edmontonian can look out the closest window right now and see empty parking spots in the streets. WE'RE DROWNING IN PARKING
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Reposted by Denis Agar (he/him)
Oh The Urbanity! @ohtheurbanity.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Alberta’s UCP government — also known for randomly turning into a semi-separatist party — is crushing and stomping on what was easily the most exciting city in Canada for housing reform.
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Denis Agar (he/him) @denisagar.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Yet another example of an innovative city being stifled by the province. I am gutted. We should thank our lucky stars for BC's Bills 44/47 and continue to push for more.
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Reposted by Denis Agar (he/him)
Rodney 🚧🚇 @chanface.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
But I thought Toronto is full!
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Reposted by Denis Agar (he/him)
Rhi Faux @rhifaux.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Hey Vancouver friends, PLEASE sign this petition to save the traffic calming that has made my neighbourhood much safer for my kids and everyone else walking and rolling through it. It’s under attack by a vocal minority with the ear of the media and 2 municipal parties (TEAM and ABC, fyi). 1/
change.org
Sign the Petition
Keep the Calming: Safe streets in Hastings Sunrise
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Denis Agar (he/him) @denisagar.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
This rules! Many cities and regions have asked BC Transit for additional bus service, and they generally say no due to lack of funding. Transit funding is not just an urban thing. If you see any provincial candidates trying to get your vote, ask them if they will help these youths from Invermere!
cbc.ca
From classroom idea to the road: Students help launch Columbia Valley evening bus | CBC News
High school students in Invermere, B.C., spent years pushing for better evening transit. Now an eight-week private bus pilot is testing whether there is enough demand for longer-term service.
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Reposted by Denis Agar (he/him)
Travis Fedschun @travfed.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
PATH proving increased weekend service reaps upping ridership. Now only if they would lengthen the window of increased service on weekends for after 9pm.
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Denis Agar (he/him) @denisagar.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Too real!
bethosbornesga.substack.com
Progressives don't necessarily deliver progressive transportation policy, federal edition
Supporters of things like transit, Complete Streets, climate, etc. speak hopefully about the support they will get from progressives. This is overly simplistic and naive, and I want to talk about it.
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Reposted by Denis Agar (he/him)
More Transit Southern Ontario @moretransitso.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
What could GO service to Kitchener look like with electric trains, infrastructure improvements, and a more ambitious service plan with express trains? Here is a service concept from our recent presentation at the Guelph Transportation Summit, also a part of our upcoming report on GO expansion
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Reposted by Denis Agar (he/him)
Eric Panzer @ericpanzer.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
I'm struck by how people who fight tooth and nail against removing a single parking spot because "seniors and people with disabilities" never seem to bring the same level of passion for making buses more frequent, reliable, or speedy People too old, disabled or poor to drive are invisible to them
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Reposted by Denis Agar (he/him)
BART @bart.gov · 07/10/2026
BART just set a new ridership record! We carried 254,248 trips yesterday. That’s our highest ridership day since the pandemic, a record we have been breaking again and again this year as more people want to take transit. Thread ⬇️
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Reposted by Denis Agar (he/him)
Movement: Metro Vancouver Transit Riders @movementyvr.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Municipal elections are not to be confused with federal elections... or provincial elections... sometimes, like right now, they overlap. 😰
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Reposted by Denis Agar (he/him)
Mary's Elm @thewolseleyelm.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Deciding who to vote for in Winnipeg? First, see who's signed the Municipal Candidates Transit Pledge: climateactionmb.ca/municipal-ca...
climateactionmb.ca
Municipal Candidates Transit Pledge - Climate Action Team Manitoba
Manitoba municipalities have some of the lowest per-capita transit funding levels in the country. The Province used to match municipal investments in transit through the 50-50 funding agreement, but this was ended in 2017 and provincial transit funding has been frozen since. Ridership and fare revenue have also declined in Winnipeg in recent years.
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Reposted by Denis Agar (he/him)
Bryn Davidson - Lanefab @lanefab.com · 07/10/2026
“Allowing low-rise, single-lot apartments would reduce building costs and create more homes faster.”
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Denis Agar (he/him) @denisagar.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
The UBC SkyTrain is super duper popular among voters, even in Surrey, where parents want the option of sending their kids to the province's most prestigious university. Will you offer to fund 1/3rd of the cost, with local and federal govs covering the rest?
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Reposted by Denis Agar (he/him)
A Trains Woman @trainswoman.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Riding EVERY transit route in Metro Vancouver! Route: 3 Main Vehicle: New Flyer E60LFR Duration: 52min Review: A vital north-south trolleybus route, the 3 runs down Main Street providing frequent service to many commercial and residential areas. +
an articulated trolleybus on route 3 Main to Waterfront Stationroute map for bus 3 Main, traveling from Marine Drive Station via Marine Drive, Main Street, Hastings Street, and Seymour Street to Waterfront Station, then continuing via Cordova Street to Main Street southbound.
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Reposted by Denis Agar (he/him)
Jerome Alexander Horne @jahorne.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
“Riders are really excited about these lanes,” Yablonsky said. “The buses breeze by these previously congested roadways that always made [trips] late or unreliable.” usa.streetsblog.org/2026/10/07/p...
usa.streetsblog.org
Pittsburgh Goes All-In On 'Week Without Driving' By Celebrating New Bus Lanes — Streetsblog USA
The Steel City is celebrating the Week without Driving ... and some shiny new bus lanes.
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Reposted by Denis Agar (he/him)
Alex Hemingway @1alexhemingway.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Big cities must do better to fix the housing crisis. We have a severe shortage of homes, yet cities like Vancouver continue to block apartments across most residential areas, driving up the cost of market and non-market homes alike. New from me in the Vancouver Sun vancouversun.com/opinion/op-e...
vancouversun.com
Opinion: B.C.’s big cities must do better to fix the housing crisis
Cities too often use their powers to restrict housing or make it too expensive to build while forcing new housing onto noisy main roads
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Denis Agar (he/him) @denisagar.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Oh yes
ticket to You Can See Everything
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Denis Agar (he/him) @denisagar.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Another one! Elections matter.
nyc.streetsblog.org
Desperately Needed Bus and Bike Lanes Are Coming to Brownstone Brooklyn - Streetsblog New York City
Bus riders and bike riders in Bedford-Stuyvesant and Clinton Hill are about to get much faster and safer rides, thanks to the Mamdani administration's decision to place bus and bike lanes on two major...
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Denis Agar (he/him) @denisagar.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
I have literally never seen this, and I have traveled a LOT. Who could possibly think this was a good idea?
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Reposted by Denis Agar (he/him)
Er Jun Ma @erjunma.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
The 9:28 PM 401 for Steveston is already overcrowded at its first stop at Richmond-Brighouse station Something tells me that the 30-minute frequency isn’t enough
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Reposted by Denis Agar (he/him)
Bromptonymous 🇨🇦 @bromptonymous.ca · 07/10/2026
If you love the idea of Victoria-Saanich amalgamation, get ready for lots of this in the 2030 election campaign.
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Reposted by Denis Agar (he/him)
Doug Gordon @brooklynspoke.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Finally! Great news for bus riders and cyclists. The geometry has always been there to make these streets work better — all it took was the right political leadership. Elections matter.
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Reposted by Denis Agar (he/him)
Movement: Metro Vancouver Transit Riders @movementyvr.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
✨LIT Pass Update✨ Thank you to Councillor Ruby Campbell for bringing forward the motion, to New West council for supporting it, and to Mayor Patrick Johnstone for connecting this work to the urgent need for the Province to establish a stable, long-term funding model for our transit system.
Graphic featuring councillor campbell and mayor johnstone's quotes about making affordable transit a necessary anti-poverty investment.
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Reposted by Denis Agar (he/him)
Jake Tobin @jaketobin.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
This election is to important to sit out. Vote! And vote for Olivia Chow for mayor 🗳️
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Denis Agar (he/him) @denisagar.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
I've been to this building!! It rules!!!
google.com
Google Maps
Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.
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Reposted by Denis Agar (he/him)
Edward Russell @byerussell.com · 05/10/2026
“The loudest person doesn't get to influence basic safety infrastructure that we know works. It's time that we stop believing that everyone has to love an idea in order for an idea to happen," said DC's presumptive next mayor @janeese4dc.bsky.social. #washingtondc @51st.news
51st.news
Janeese Lewis George pledges a new approach to transit
The presumptive major is pledging a new approach. But can she push past critics?
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Reposted by Denis Agar (he/him)
A Trains Woman @trainswoman.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
for reference, this is what that R2 detour looks like.
drawing of the westbound R2 detour described above, turning from Hastings Street onto Gilmore Avenue, Lougheed Highway, Broadway, Renfrew Street, and McGill Street onto the Ironworkers Bridge.
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Reposted by Denis Agar (he/him)
Movement: Metro Vancouver Transit Riders @movementyvr.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
One of our volunteers just saw an R2 going down Gilmore Ave, and sure enough, both the R2 and R5 are being detoured down Gilmore due to traffic. We need true, all-day bus lanes on Hastings! (And everywhere else where buses get delayed.)
a screenshot from translink's website of the bus detour notice for the R5a screenshot from translink's website of the bus detour notice for the R2
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Reposted by Denis Agar (he/him)
Taras Grescoe 🚇 @taras-grescoe.com · 06/10/2026
#Quebec's new government: We want more highways, not green electric trains. "PQ says it would block Quebec component of proposed Alto high-speed rail system. "The dollars Ottawa has earmarked for train should instead be given to Quebec with no strings attached, to be used on roads..."
montrealgazette.com
PQ in power: What Quebecers can expect from a St-Pierre Plamondon government
The premier designate could have an eye on a possible referendum, but he will also have other immediate priorities.
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Reposted by Denis Agar (he/him)
Bryn Davidson - Lanefab @lanefab.com · 06/10/2026
"Affordable Elevators" you say? Unlock a more accessible version of eco-urbanism? Transform how we do "missing middle"? Change our approach to urban planning in North America? Here's v1 of my elevator policy roadmap for BC / Vancouver. Critiques/additions etc welcome.
BC Elevator Regulations vs. Alternative Standards
Regulatory Area
Current Rule (BC / Vancouver)
Potential Replacement / Alternative
Impact of Replacement
Elevator Sizing & EMS Access
The "Stretcher Rule" 
BCBC & VBBL Sec. 3.5.4.1
Requires an elevator to fit a 2010mm x 610mm stretcher. Forces large 2500 lb capacity cabs.
Mid-Rise Exemption
Exempt buildings under 6 or 7 storeys from the stretcher requirement. First responders use stair chairs.
Frees up significant floor plate area in multiplexes and low-rise point access blocks.
Mechanical Standards
ASME A17.1 / CSA B44
North American code requiring deep pits, high overhead clearances, and heavy mechanical load tolerances.
EN 81 / ISO 8100
Global standard. Relies on electronic safety monitoring and allows for highly compact shafts.
Drastically reduces overhead/pit dimensions and lowers unit costs due to global mass production.
Cab Dimensions
Oversized Defaults
Standard residential cabs are massive relative to small footprints to meet B44/stretcher needs.
Standard Wheelchair Cab
Adopt the European standard compact accessible cab (e.g., 1.1m x 1.4m).
Eliminates bloated core requirements while maintaining accessibility for residents in wheelchairs.
Permitting (Technical Safety BC)
Case-by-Case Variances
TSBC mandates B44. European lifts require a strict, risky, and unscalable variance process.
Pre-approved Equivalency
TSBC officially recognizes ISO 8100 as a pre-approved equivalent standard.
Removes regulatory risk and allows scalable adoption without costly per-project variance applications.
Worker Clearances (WorkSafeBC)
Physical Refuge Spaces
Requires deep concrete pits and high overheads to protect mechanics from crushing.
Electronic Safeguards
Accept deployable mechanical stops and electronic safety monitoring (used in Europe).
Enables shallower pits and flat roofs, critical for staying within tight municipal height limits.
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Reposted by Denis Agar (he/him)
Taras Grescoe 🚇 @taras-grescoe.com · 06/10/2026
If you want to live in a congested and irrelevant city 10 years from now—keep on building freeways to the suburbs. If you want to live in a prosperous and livable city 10 years from now—invest in the best transit you can today.
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Denis Agar (he/him) @denisagar.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
If we have ranked ballot, then it ceases to be a problem and becomes a feature!
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Reposted by Denis Agar (he/him)
Steven Lucy @slucy.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
You can just do stuff. Is it perfect? No. Can it be improved upon? Yes. Did it get done quickly? Yes.
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Denis Agar (he/him) @denisagar.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Fascinating story of a community desperate for gathering spaces in a suburban asphalt wasteland. Imagine if zoning allowed us to have public plazas for every cultural community!
thelocal.to
How a Suburban Strip Mall Became a Buzzing Community Hub, and a Political Flashpoint | The Local
Mississauga’s immigrant communities made Ridgeway Plaza one of the city’s most vibrant cultural spaces—and also one of its most contested. This municipal election could decide its future.
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Reposted by Denis Agar (he/him)
Robert Prinz @prinzrob.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
The Bay Area public transit #MeasureRTM polling shows 48% support, 34% opposed, 18% undecided. This means only 1 in 9 of the undecideds need to vote YES to get over 50%. Volunteer w the campaign now to help make this happen, opportunities listed here: 👇👇👇 luma.com/connectbayarea
“WHO IS LIKELY TO SUPPORT TRANSIT TAX?
Support for the regional transit tax that would fund BART, Muni, Caltrain and AC Transit depends on age group and housing situation.

Registered voters
48% yes 18% not sure 34% no
By age group
18 to 34
69% yes
35 to 49
44% yes
50 to 60
35% yes
By housing situatlon
Renters
60% yes
Homeowners
34% yes

Source: Bay Area News Group/Joint Venture Silicon Valley poll of 1,801 adults in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, conducted online Aug. 5-18, 2026. Margin of error is +/- 2.6 percentage points.
BAY AREA NEWS GROUP”
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Reposted by Denis Agar (he/him)
Movement: Metro Vancouver Transit Riders @movementyvr.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Be a transit hero, vote for a transit hero! Our poster is now available in six languages. :) Print them out and put them up at your local bus stop to remind your fellow transit riders to vote! Or pick them up from our office next to Granville Station (email us to arrange a time).
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Reposted by Denis Agar (he/him)
Movement: Metro Vancouver Transit Riders @movementyvr.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
We are hosting the only transit-focused town hall in Surrey this election! If you live in, work in, or just genuinely care about Surrey, please come out. www.zeffy.com/en-CA/...
Two-panel graphic listing Surrey mayoral and council candidates attending, possible attendees, and non-attendees, with event organizers, supporters and transit-themed icons.Two-panel graphic listing Surrey mayoral and council candidates attending, possible attendees, and non-attendees, with event organizers, supporters, and transit-themed icons
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Reposted by Denis Agar (he/him)
Terri @terriclarke.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Metrobus in St. John’s is reducing service on some bus routes from 30m frequency to 60 minutes, & some to peak times only due to “recruitment challenges” leading to a shortage of mechanics and bus drivers. A lot of this service was just increased in September & they’re already rolling it back.
ntv.ca
Metrobus reducing service due to operational challenges - NTV: Newfoundland and Labrador's Most Trusted News Source
Beginning October 26th, 2026, Metrobus will be reducing weekday service on some routes due to current operaIonal challenges. Routes 9, 11, and 23 will be reduced to 60-minute frequency on weekdays. Ro...
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Reposted by Denis Agar (he/him)
Ben 🍁 @benjaminoknobi.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
THE CANADIAN PEOPLE WANT GOVERNMENT TO DO SOMETHING AND WILL NOT BE DENIED
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Reposted by Denis Agar (he/him)
A Trains Woman @trainswoman.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Riding EVERY transit route in Metro Vancouver! Route: 41 41st Avenue Vehicle: New Flyer E40LFR Duration: 45min Review: An east-west trolleybus route in South Vancouver, the 41 provides frequent local service along 41st Avenue, connecting Joyce Station to Oakridge, Kerrisdale, and Dunbar. +
a trolleybus on route 41 41st Avenue to Joyce Stationroute map for bus 41 41st Avenue. the map title is wrong, still showing UBC Exchange as one of the termini despite the map itself showing the current routing. the bus leaves 41st Avenue & Crown Street travelling via 41st Avenue and Joyce Street to Joyce-Collingwood Station.
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Reposted by Denis Agar (he/him)
Bryn Davidson - Lanefab @lanefab.com · 05/10/2026
The "Three/Four" could be our new Vancouver Special, if we want accessible flats as an alternative to stair-heavy plexes and townhouses. We need: 1. simple zoning, city wide, w no unit caps 2. pre-approved DPs w no add'l density / offsite fees 3. allow affordable elevators (Euro spec or LULA)
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Denis Agar (he/him) @denisagar.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Me too! It would probably take tens of billions + a decade to make it faster than a bus. It would take pretty much zero money to introduce an hourly express bus to Kamloops, and make it cost $40! That's one of our main asks to the province this election. Here's what they have in Colorado:
swenergy.org
Colorado's Bustang has become a national transit model, but its funding is running out - Southwest Energy Efficiency Project
March 26, 2026 | Chandler Sanchez & Matt Frommer
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