A Fraser Insititute study that last month concluded B.C.'s transportation system ranks dismally on several different measures has just had its methodology scorched.

(Link: Our Oct. 23 story on the FI study.)

Victoria Transportation Policy Institute analyst Todd Litman has now delivered a reality check that argues the indicators used were stacked against B.C.

He points to the study's calculations of:

- Highway travel time to Ottawa. Litman notes this implies central provinces have better transport systems than coastal ones.

- Provincial expenditures per km of major road. Litman says this punishes B.C. for having more challenging mountainous terrain.

- Total employment per truck border crossing. This implies provinces should minimize border crossings, Litman notes, and B.C.'s multiple crossings drag it down.

- Government costs per ferry trip. Litman says this implies provinces should only subsidize short, high volume routes, adding B.C.'s extensive and admired ferry system contributed to its "worst" rating.

"This analysis is biased and useless for transportation planning," Litman concludes. "The Fraser Institute study is comparable to a quack physician who performs unsuitable medical tests and prescribes inappropriate and outdated treatments."

Duelling reports

• Fraser Institute
• Victoria Transportation Policy Institute