Achi news desk-
Quebec’s transportation minister was on the defensive Thursday after saying that running public transportation is not the province’s job.
Opposition parties in the Quebec legislature say Genevieve Gibole is not up to her job as minister of transport and sustainable mobility, claiming she is ignoring public transport.
While being questioned this week about a nearly $500 million deficit for Montreal-area transit agencies, she claimed it was not her responsibility.
“Managing public transportation and transportation companies is not a mission of the state,” she said.
On Thursday, she clarified that statement.
“It is the government’s mission to support public transportation, but it is not our mission to manage it on a daily basis,” she said.
Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante says transit agencies need more support from the province and invited Guilbeau to see why.
“I would like the minister to take the metro in the morning, take the bus in Valvale, to try to get to the greater Montreal area, because there is only one bus an hour,” she said.
Plante said the STM has already cut 200 jobs and saved $35 million so far this year.
The opposition parties said that Gilbo should step up.
“She asked to add ‘sustainable mobility’ as her ministerial title. I want to prove that it’s not cosmetic, it’s not a lie. I want her to invest in public transport,” said MNA Quebec Solidaire Etienne Grandmont.
“Sustainable mobility, that’s her title, and she says, ‘It’s not my responsibility.’ Unbelievable,” said MNA Parti Quebecois Pascale Paradis.
For months there have been disputes between the transit agencies and the district, with threats to cut bus lines and shorten subway hours.
Last year, Quebec covered 70% of the deficit, but the province said it was not a long-term solution.
With lower ridership, transit agencies lose money. To help offset that cost, mayors are floating the idea of ​​registering pedestrian vehicles at $228, a nearly 300 percent increase.
“I think at the end of the day, we’re going to have to somehow raise taxes to better fund public transportation, but before that, I believe there are things we can do,” said Laval Mayor Stephen Boyer.
The minister promised to meet with the mayors to further discuss the issues of public transportation.
