On the road to reducing transportation emissions
Supporting more sustainable transportation in Prince Edward Island will help Islanders lower their impact on the environment, while encouraging more walking, cycling, and community transit.
PEI’s Sustainable Transportation Action Plan has 27 action items to be implemented in the areas of transit, vehicles, active transportation and community design.
“We know transportation greenhouse gas emissions have been on the rise and it’s time to reverse that trend. At the same time, we are investing in our roads to help keep pedestrians and cyclists safer and we are looking at the big picture for sustainable communities over the long term.”
- Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy Minister Steven Myers
The Sustainable Transportation Action Plan will be implemented over five years. Over the coming months, government will be working with the opposition and third party to identify priority items for next year.
“While we put these key first steps in place, I will also be working with my colleagues in government, the private sector, and innovative energy researchers to come up with more smart changes on how we all get to school, work and home,” added Myers. “This includes building more sustainable communities, finding efficiencies in school bus routes, and exploring Island-wide public transit solutions.”
Get more information on the Sustainable Transportation Action Plan.
Media contact:
Katie MacDonald
Department of Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy
902-314-3996
katiemacdonald@gov.pe.ca
Backgrounder
Urban and Rural Transit Action Items
Action 1: Work with transit operators and community transportation partners to make transit systems safe, affordable and convenient for all users.
Action 2: Increase affordable, safe and inclusive community transportation services in rural areas.
Action 3: Promote and increase transit use through education and social marketing.
Action 4: Improve efficiencies and reduce emissions in the school transit system.
Action 5: Remove barriers to sustainable transportation for people with a low income.
Vehicles and Transportation Action Items
Action 6: Work with municipalities and businesses to create a province-wide EV charging network of internet accessible, smart charging stations.
Action 7: Develop and deliver an EV and home charger incentive program to increase EV usage.
Action 8: Develop and deliver an educational campaign about electric vehicles, low emissions vehicles, and efficient driving.
Action 9: Establish a registration fee structure that promotes the purchase of lower emission vehicles.
Action 10: Develop a rebate program for retiring high emissions vehicles.
Action 11: Collaborate with the transport truck industry to administer efficiency education programs and explore technological advancements to reduce emissions.
Action 12: Work with local business fleet managers to promote efficiencies and the use of low and zero emission vehicles.
Action 13: Assess the provincial government’s light duty fleet and identify vehicles that are suitable to be replaced with electric models.
Action 14: Adopt provincial government procurement policies to increase the purchase of low and zero emission vehicles for its light duty fleet.
Action 15: Increase carpooling opportunities through additional infrastructure and public education.
Action 16: Provide options for provincial employees to reduce commuting distance, such as tele-commuting and satellite work sites.
Action 17: Monitor advances in technology and explore opportunities to electrify farm and marine transport, trucking and public transit.
Active Transportation Action Items
Action 18: Develop a comprehensive active transportation plan and public transit plan for all of PEI.
Action 19: Expand active transportation infrastructure, while improving safety and providing connectivity between places.
Action 20: Dedicate a percentage of the province’s transportation budget to maintain and create new active transportation infrastructure.
Action 21: Work with municipalities to develop and support active transportation plans that improve cycling and pedestrian opportunities.
Action 22: Provide and promote active transportation options for schools and seek opportunities for pilot projects.
Action 23: Require active transportation assessments for all new provincial government buildings to incorporate facilities such as bike racks, showers and other appropriate amenities.
Community Design and Infrastructure Action Items
Action 24: Encourage development patterns that support active transportation and public transit by identifying built up areas for future growth and by establishing standards for subdivision and development design.
Action 25: Continue to improve road infrastructure (such as cycling lanes, wider shoulders, and roundabouts) to construct and protect right-of-ways for active transportation and public transit corridors.
Action 26: Revise legislation to enable the requirement to provide dedicated space for active transportation corridors.
Action 27: Ensure planning authorities consider the full range of transportation needs within their areas of jurisdiction.