Reminiscing from 2030 about how we got a more sustainable transportation system

[Maureen Temme]

This is my third attempt to add in a post about the wonders of time travel ... from a cold November 18, 2030 to a cold November 18 evening, 2010. I've missed a few comments for the group I was in, and invite them and other groups to add their recollections. Best regards, Maureen T.

Transportation Timeline – looking back from 2030

November 2030 - London City Council votes to transform Dundas Street between Ridout Street and Adelaide
Street.
Pedestrian and bicycle traffic will be allowed. There will be no larger vehicles. The garden strip will be widened and a
watercourse will be developed. Est. completion
date: May 2032.

2021 – First dirigible ride from Europe to London, Ontario.
That Virgin airlines!

2020 – Kidnappers of children of General Motors executives at the U.S. head office demanded massive changes to the corporation’s products, workplaces
and structure … all changes to result in reductions to fossil fuel use
throughout the industry and pollutant reductions.. Agreements to all changes were given. Shortly after, kidnappers were revealed to be
older siblings of the children.
Agreements were maintained.

2020 – London dubbed newest addition to the GTA

2020 – High speed trains begun between Toronto and London.

2019 – Oxford Street alterations begun to make three lanes available for vehicular traffic. One eastbound and one main
westbound lane; third lane alters along the route for certain turnoffs.

2019 – Due to increased rainwater run-off into sewers and roadways, London alters bylaws, requiring minimum 30% greenspace be installed on previous retrofit exemptions
to business spaces, most of which had no greenspace; given choice of installing
greenspace or 25% tax hike, most owner/developers opt for greenspace
installation based in City specifications.

2018 – Province of Ontario becomes first in Canada to fine drivers of driver-only-no-passenger cars. 3 Demerit point option under consideration.

2016 – London’s first bus route to Lambeth was begun

2014 – Gil (x) made a presentation to City council about the history of Streetcars in London. He linked it so well with future transportation ideas that Council ordered the Transportation Department to
write the plan to re-institute streetcars.

2013 – Ontario levies tax on cell phones with funds designated to advertising campaign aimed against cell phone use (illegal since 2010) and designating police funds for
roadside check campaigns.

2013 – Special tax put on banks when federal government realized they were best source of revenue

December 7, 2010 – Carousel Room of the Western Fair overflowed with people coming to the Public Participation meeting for London’s Transportation Master Plan. (6:00- 7:00 p.m. was open house; after this there was
supposed to be a structured forum). The City
invitation to this famous meeting is archived at:

http://www.london.ca/Transportation_Planning/pdfs/Public_Notice_3_D...

Nov. 18/10 – Transition London Ontario meeting of people interested in visioning transportation in the future.