CAR STOPS — Coming soon to Salt Spring Island!
News Release May 4, 2012
MoT Approves Car Stop Pilot Project for Salt Spring
Salt Spring Island – A Rideshare program is coming to Salt Spring Island!. Transition Salt Spring is pleased to announce that the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has approved a Car Stop Pilot Project for Salt Spring Island. The Project is also supported by the CRD Director, Salt Spring and the Salt Spring Island Transportation Commission.
A Car Stop is like a bus stop and provides a safe place for people to stand, and for cars to pull off the road. Car Stops comprise an entirely voluntary rideshare system. Car Stops on Salt Spring will focus exclusively on areas where the island’s award-winning bus system does not run.
A primary goal is to help the environment by moving beyond one car, one passenger. As such, the Car Stop project will contribute to the provincially-mandated policy on Climate Change by helping to achieve the province-wide objective of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in BC.
Car Stops will make it easier for people with cars to car-pool and give rides to others.
The Salt Spring system will copy the Pender Island system right down to the signs. The Pender programme has been operating successfully since 2008.
The first pilot Car Stop route will run from Ganges village north up Robinson Road to Fort Steet in the direction of Walkers Hook. A second route has also been approved for Beddis.
The project is an initiative of Transition Salt Spring. The CRD Director, Salt Spring has provided initial financial support through his Grant-in-aid programme. The SSI Transportation Commission endorsed the Pilot Project after extensive community consultation and facilitated the MoTI approval process.
Quotes
“Car Stops make good neighbors and are good for the environment. If you are driving alone, adding a passenger doubles fuel efficiency per person and halves the greenhouse gas emissions. The Pilot Project will mean fewer cars on the road, reduced emissions and less pollution. The successful Car Stop systems on Mayne and Pender have shown us the way.” Elizabeth White, Transition Salt Spring.
“Following more than a year of hard work by Transition Salt Spring, the Lions Club, the SSI Transportation Commission and others, it is terrific to now see this pilot project moving forward. The support of the community, an initial CRD local Grant-in-Aid and the recent support of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure have been instrumental in making this happen.” Wayne McIntyre, CRD Regional Director, Salt Spring Island
“The Transportation Commission has every confidence that Transition Salt Spring will provide inspirational leadership for a most successful Pilot Project. Car Stops will add a new and valuable element to the mix of transportation modes on Salt Spring and are a perfect fit in our rural community. Car Stops complement the SS Transit success story and may well pave the way for expanded bus service down the road.” Donald McLennan, Chair, SSITC
What is a Car Stop?
A Car Stop is like a bus stop and provides a safe place for people to stand, and for cars to pull off the road. Car Stops are an entirely voluntary ride share system with no obligation to either give or accept a ride. Each Car Stop sign includes the following poem, which explains the philosophy:
Drivers don’t have to take the first in line; You’re not obliged to accept a ride, that’s fine. You accept the ride at your own risk, The ride is free, so consider it a gift.
Why Car Stops?
Car Stops serve areas where there is not yet bus service. As the bus service on Salt Spring expands, the Car Stops will be moved to other routes. Car Stops make it easier for people to get around Salt Spring without driving, and they make it easier for people with cars to carpool and give rides to others. Car Stops make good neighbours and are good for the environment. If you are driving alone, adding a passenger instantly doubles vehicle fuel efficiency per person, and halves greenhouse gas emissions!
Are Car Stops Proven?
Yes, we are using the same Car Stop program, right down to the signs, used by the award-winning Pender Island Car Stops program, which has been operating successfully since 2008. On Pender Island, Car Stops “mean fewer cars on the roads, reduced emissions and less pollution. The program is very popular with tourists, especially cyclists, boaters and people who come by bus to the ferry. Young people working at a large local resort and other people who don’t have cars, both young and old, find the service invaluable.”
We do not know if Car Stops will be as successful on Salt Spring as they are on Pender, which is why the first year of operation will be a pilot project.
When will the Car Stops be installed?
Volunteer crews from Island Pathways will be installing the signs this spring, when the signs are delivered.
Proposed Car Stop Locations
Car Stops must be located where there is a safe place for people to stand and a safe place for cars to pull off the road. Car Stops are generally located on the MOT right-of-way, but sometimes they may be located on private property, with permission.
Supporters:
The Salt Spring Island Car Stops pilot project is supported by: Transition Salt Spring, Earth Festival Society, Island Pathways, Lions Club, Salt Spring Island Transportation Commission, CRD Director, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, Mainroad Contracting
A map of the first car stops from Ganges village to Walkers Hook…
