Hello everyone - Andrae Griffith from the Metrolinx RTP Advisory Committee here...
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who kept the discussion alive in the regional transportation plan consultation process, and I encourage you all to continue offering comment to make this plan the best it can be. There is are plenty of opportunities to do so in addition to the more formal town halls and online portals, so keep your eyes and ears open for more details.
Here is a rundown of what was released today. Please keep in mind that the Metrolinx board has not yet approved this draft, so there may be some modifications in the coming weeks.
The plan can be summed up in "Eight Big Moves" - bold steps to transform the way we move around the GTHA.
A fast, frequent and expanded regional rapid transit network
I'll outline below what transit projects are being proposed.
A complete walking and cycling network with bike sharing
More bike lanes, more sidewalks and bike sharing stations in major urban centres across the region
An information system for travellers, where and when they need it
One stop shopping for transit information. This would eventually include a regional trip planner and schedules accessible from mobile devices
A region-wide integrated transit fare system
By 2012, it is proposed that there will be a common fare system across all systems in the region. This is on top of Presto, which will also be in mid-rollout by that time.
A system of connected mobility hubs
Land use around transit stations will be optimized to complement the transit lines
High-order transit connections to the Pearson Airport district from all directions
In addition to a rail link from Union Station, rapid transit lines will converge on the airport from all sides.
A comprehensive strategy for goods movement
To keep us competitive, Metrolinx will study and consult with industry to develop policies to ensure goods can get to market efficiently. This could also take the form of a new, dedicated freight railway corridor.
An investment strategy to provide stable and predictable funding
Again, I will discuss this in more detail below
So, lets talk about transit.
The transit investments can be broken down into a 15-year and a 25-year plan. The 15-year plan includes:
- Express rail (15 minutes or better) on the lakeshore line (end to end) and from Union to Brampton.
- Regional rail (30 minutes or better) on all existing GO lines, GO expansions to many lines and a midtown GO rail line.
- Subway extensions to the Langstaff Gateway and the Vaughan corporate centre, both mobility hubs which will be transformed to support the expansion.
- Numerous other rapid transit lines where the technology will be selected in the individual project EAs.
- Extensions to the 410, 404, 427 and 407.
The 25-year plan includes:
- Express rail from Union to Cooksville and to Richmond Hill
- A downtown relief subway
- Additional other rapid transit lines
- GTA West and Niagara-GTA highway corridors
Beyond 25 years, we will have additional lines, pending implementation reviews 10 years from now.
So, how will we pay for this?
The fifteen priorities posted by Kiwi above will be funded from MoveOntario 2020 money, and in 2013 a funding review will take place. Experiences from other jurisdictions show that once people have a taste of good transit service, they will be more receptive to new revenue tools. There's no denying that this is a gamble, but based on the trends public transit is poised to become a service that is as essential to life in the region as health care and education.
So, I hope that this helps everyone understand what was released today and what it all means. On that note, comment away - Metrolinx is listening.
