Live In Montreal And Avoid Traffic

Can you believe that Bejing drivers have endured a nine-day, 100 kilometre-long traffic jam on a highway leading into Beijing?

The jam, caused by roadworks, are not expected to finish for another month, the state news agency said.

National Post Photo August 23, 2010

photo credit: http://news.nationalpost.com/2010/08/23/drivers-trapped-for-nine-days-in-chinese-traffic-jam/#ixzz0xR7kj4h5

Montreal

In Montreal, Quebec, our city island has its' downtown on the South East part of the island and by using one of a few major express ways, can be accessed from most any Montreal region, on or off island, within 20 minutes without traffic. In traffic or construction, 45 minutes to an hour is more the norm. Add in a winter storm and you could hit 1.5 hours.

Montreal Island Montreal Quebec

     Ste. Catherine Street, Montreal, Quebec     Peel Street Montreal Quebec

But 9 days!!!!!!

And thanks to our new on island public bicycle rental system, Bixi, (name originating from bicycle and taxi) our city councillors are trying to encourage even less use of the automobile in our downtown Montreal area.

Bixi bikes Montreal Quebec

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Better information to help you buy or sell real estate confidently in Montreal, QC

Meilleur d'informations a vous aideront à acheter ou vendre immobilier en toute confiance à Montréal, Qc

  John B. Joseph, B.Comm
       Certified Real Estate Broker
          Courtier Immobilier Agréé
    www.johnbjoseph.com

         John B Joseph on Facebook   John B Joseph on Twitter   John B Joseph on Linkedin

 
Posted by John B. Joseph on 08/23/2010 10:14 AM   Comments (8)   Montreal in the Regional Channel   montreal  
Generate short URL
This post has been included in Quebec Real Estate News Montreal Area, QC Real Estate News Montreal, QC Real Estate News
Post is included in group: Canada, eh
Post is included in group: Facebook
Post is included in group: Localism - Business in Quebec

8 Comments on Live In Montreal And Avoid Traffic

AUG
23
2010
447,681 Points 11 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Yikes 9 days stuckin traffic? I don't think that's something I would handle very well.
10:16am • #1
868,446 Points 5 Featured Posts

John,

Nine days seems crazy. What do these people do for food etc.

Our road system in Toronto during prime times is 30 minutes to 6o minutes around the city.

Brian
4:20pm • #2
174,788 Points 2 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor

Nor I Malcolm!

Brian, From the article:

At least some drivers have complained that roadside vendors have increased their prices to take advantage of the traffic jam. One truck driver said he bought instant noodles from one vendor for four times the original price.


Another driver, Wang, told Xinhua he'd been stuck in the traffic jam for three days and two nights.

"We are advised to take detours, but I would rather stay here since I will travel more distance and increase my costs," Wang said.

This is not the first time the highway has faced such congestion.

A similar backup in July kept traffic to a crawl for nearly a month, Xinhua reported.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2010/08/23/china-traffic-jam.html#ixzz0xSljoG1O
4:31pm • #3
AUG
25
2010
274,898 Points 3 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

That is wild, John!  Makes the LA traffic look pretty tame.  I like the idea of using more bikes in the downtown area!
5:26pm • #4
174,788 Points 2 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor

Bruce, A company here heard of how Paris is working a similar project and went there to research the goods and bads. They returned, improved the bikes and systems, sold it to the city and voila!

The project has been very popular here and I have seen commuters, shoppers, tourists, bar hoppers using the bikes at all times of the day.

The funniest situation I experienced was a woman in evening wear with delicate high heels leaving one of the night spots, I guess heading home. There must have been a story to that one, but thought it a testiment to how biking is fine at anytime!
5:55pm • #5
AUG
27
2010
274,898 Points 3 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

John, how does the bike rental system work?   In the case of the well heeled lady leaving a night spot late in the evening does she bike over to a bus line?  How does the taxi angle come in?  Sounds like an interesting program.
9:23pm • #6
AUG
28
2010
174,788 Points 2 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor

Hi Bruce, Here is the BIXI website. It explains all quite well. Check out "stations".

http://montreal.bixi.com/home

As for the lady, or any commuter, there are bike stations peppered aournd the city where one can pick up or drop off a bike. You may, for example, pick up a bike, go to the grocery store, get your items and then pick out a new bike and go home. If you do it within 30 minutes, you are on the same tab even if you park and take another bike.

The system records your credit card, assigns you a code and you can use this code anywhere on the network.

There are other options as well depending on how long you intend to ride the bike or how many bikes you are taking on one credit card.

Kinda cool I think
8:56am • #7
274,898 Points 3 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

That is really great, John that the entire system is that easy.  If something like that takes so little effort it is more likely to be a hit with the consumers.  Thanks for the link as well!  Kudos to Montreal!
9:45am • #8


What does the graphic say?
Leave a response…

(optional)
Spam Prevention: