Photo: Efficiency Study Highlights Need for Reform in Gatineau’s Public Transit System. (TF) Photo courtesy of the city of Gatineau

With notes from Mary Baskin, Marie-Eve Turpin and Lily Ryan

As Quebec grapples with the financing of public transit, a recent study by the Centre for Productivity and Prosperity – Walter J. Somers Foundation (CPP) has brought critical insights into operational inefficiencies within the province’s transit systems, including those in Gatineau.

Drawing on data from 23 Canadian transit companies, the study reveals a troubling trend. “The budgetary space taken up by administrative expenses is significantly greater in Quebec,” explains Robert Gagné, CPP director and co-author of the study. This issue is particularly pertinent for Gatineau, where efficient public transit is essential for the city’s mobility and growth.

Gagné further notes that a large portion of the transit budget in cities like Gatineau is directed towards non-transportation activities, leading to “reduced productivity and unnecessarily increased operating expenses.” This imbalance raises concerns about the optimal use of funds allocated for public transit.

The study also sheds light on the complex funding structure set by the government, which adds to the administrative burden. Jonathan Deslauriers, co-author of the study, criticizes this approach, stating, “The government has made its funding structure more complex by unduly multiplying the sources of funding available to transit companies.” Deslauriers emphasizes that this not only complicates establishing a stable financial framework but also leads to inefficiency and increased administrative costs.

To address these issues, the researchers recommend a more rigorous accountability process. “The Quebec government is now facing the consequences of its laxity,” Gagné points out. He argues that the government lacks the necessary tools to assess transit companies’ performance effectively and to guide them in reducing operational funding pressure.

For Gatineau, where public transit is a crucial component of urban life, these findings underscore the need for a re-evaluation of funding strategies and operational efficiency. The study’s insights could be pivotal in reshaping the future of public transit in the city, ensuring that it meets the needs of its residents more effectively.