Top 10 principles for investing in transportation

From the Toronto Star:

A plan to raise money for Toronto region transportation improvements has to include the following elements, Metrolinx CEO Bruce McCuaig told a Mississauga transportation conference in May:

1. The strategy must build a complete system — roads, transit and “active transportation” such as cycling. “There is no question in my mind that transit is the priority.”

2. It must include local and regional regional investments.

3. It must offer short-, medium- and long-term benefits.

4. It must address maintaining the current system as well as expanding it.

5. “This can’t just be about Toronto.” Benefits have to extend across the region.

6. The plan must be communicated every step of the way to ensure accountability.

7. The investment strategy needs to supplement, not replace, existing funding.

8. Customers need to be at the centre of the strategy.

9. There must be equity: Those paying for the improvements should get a fair share of the benefits.

10. Revenue tools need to be as simple as possible to administer.