Since close to 80% of the population of Quebec lives in urban regions, the economy of these regions depends upon the movement of some six million people daily. To meet this demand, urban and interurban transport systems include several modes, both collective and individual. The main characteristic of urban and interurban transportation is undoubtedly the preponderance of automobile traffic, which represents more than two-thirds of the traffic in urban centres. There are some 3900000 vehicles in Quebec, about 75% of which are passenger vehicles. However, collective transportation, far from being negligible, is essential. The Ministere des Transports is for this reason contributing to the financing of urban public transportation, school transportation and paratransit, as well as to the maintenance of sea and air links with remote regions. It also regulates certain aspects of collective and taxi transportation. (Author/publisher)
Abstract