Monthly Archives: September 2005

Effective Mass Transit in the Suburbs

The sprawling collection of Toronto suburbs in York Region are one day away from a new option in public transit. The new VivaYork system will provide frequent, comfortable and extremely well organized bus service on the Highway 7 and Yonge St corridors, two of York’s most important and congested arteries.

The initial phase will provide Viva buses with signal priority, allowing them to jump queues of traffic at red lights. Later phases are projected to include dedicated busways, LRT’s, and even a subway stretching into York Region. (Anything is possible if gas prices stay high!) With connections to the TTC’s Young Subway line, and a connection to the Sheppard line to come, this fast and reliable service could entice drivers in the heart of York Region to leave their cars at home. Here’s hoping.

Brazil Disarms, Fewer Deaths

The government of Brazil launched a disarmament campaign in 2004 that pays compensation to those who turn in their weapons. No questions were asked where/how they got their weapons. At one point someone handed in a high-calibre machine gun that could shoot down planes.

As a result of this campaign there have been fewer deaths as a result of gun violence. Gun deaths have fallen by more than 8% in 2004, the first time the death rate has fallen in 13 years. 443, 700 guns have been collected.

India and Pakistan to Sign Missile Pact

good thing mapTension between Pakistan and India comes and goes, but there is always an underlying animosity. Currently the countries have an informal policy of notifying each other before testing missiles, but now they plan to make that official.

Any form of cooperation between the two Asian nations is a good step towards permanent peace and stability in the region. Currently they are working on having more agreements, including more bus routes.

Forget Books, People Want to Borrow People

A library in Holland is now loaning out volunteers so users of the library can chat with them. The people who have volunteered include homosexuals, drug addicts, asylum seekers, gipsies and the physically handicapped.

Borrowers can take the volunteer to the cafe and sit down and talk. The idea is that this program will break down social barriers and create a more understanding society. Borrowing people to fight prejudice apparently started in Sweden.