Episode 4 - What can we learn from SEPTA and Philly? (with Justin Roczniak)
Dwell Time, a transit podcastShow Notes
In 2025, both Metro Vancouver and Philadelphia faced tremendous budget cuts only to have them cancelled at the last minute through the age-old method of kicking the can down the road.
We're joined by Justin Roczniak, one of the hosts of Well There's Your Problem podcast where we discuss not only the budget troubles transit agencies face, but calamities such as trolley poles that have no business being used in places they don't belong or the current state of affairs with the bus manufacturing industry in North America.
This episode will be a bit chaotic due to our audio recording software having a mind of its own. Please excuse any weirdness with how parts of the episode are segued!
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Justin's links: https://www.wtyppod.com/ https://bsky.app/profile/donoteat.bsky.social https://www.youtube.com/user/donoteat01
https://www.transitforwardphilly.org/ https://blvdsubway.com/
Mayor Chow Announces Phase 1 TSP for Lines 5 and 6 https://www.reddit.com/r/toronto/comments/1rqd87j/transit_signal_priority_update/
https://ontariotrafficman.wordpress.com/
Metrolinx Documents Leaked: Series by Jack Hauen:
* Shorter, more frequent GO train plan 'unlikely to materialize': leaked document * https://www.cambridgetoday.ca/local-news/shorter-more-frequent-go-train-plan-unlikely-to-materialize-leaked-document-12023949 * Metrolinx could run first electric GO trains in 2036: leaked document * https://www.cambridgetoday.ca/local-news/metrolinx-could-run-first-electric-go-trains-in-2036-leaked-document-12019017 * GO trains in 'poor' condition and could 'begin to fail' in 2026, says leaked report * https://www.cambridgetoday.ca/local-news/go-trains-in-poor-condition-and-could-begin-to-fail-in-2026-says-leaked-report-12011777
Three door buses for Vancouver https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/translink-new-solaris-trolley-bus-three-doors
More from Dwell Time, a transit podcast
Sorry for the lateness of this episode. We decided to push this one out a few weeks extra since Denis is going to be busy with two elections a week apart in British Columbia taking up a majority of his time.
We're joined by Arden English, who is an undergraduate student studying planning at Simon Fraser University. He also produces educational videos on his YouTube channel "The Greater Discussions" covering topics around city planning and transportation within the context of British Columbia and has also been collaborating with the CBC Creator Network, bringing his YouTube style to a national audience.
Emily Stremel of Edmonton Transit Riders (ETR) joins us in how transit advocacy came to be in Alberta's capital city and the challenges and strengths the region has in making transit great for everyone. We also learn about her insights into the music scene in Toronto and Montréal.
Advocacy matters and it can lead to wins even with losses elsewhere.