No, it wasn’t an elaborate April Fools Day joke…

On April 1st, the Government of Ontario announced funding a collection of transit projects across the GTHA. While many of the projects are in the central parts of the region, and there has been some criticism of this fact, these are the projects that are closest groundbreaking – some will see construction start next year. We can’t forget that we need to build a region-wide network, but we need to start somewhere.

Here’s what was announced: (more…)

Highway 407 Electronic Tolling System
[Source: C. Moy on Flickr]

The Draft Investment Strategy released by Metrolinx sets out a funding framework to deliver  $50 billion in transportation improvements over 25 years. Metrolinx is looking for your feedback. This is your region and your future. I encourage you to weigh-in on what is proposed.

Todd Litman’s recent post on planetizen discusses the costs of different modes of transportation. One conclusion is that “if a typical household shifts from driving everywhere (what we call, automobile dependency) to multi-modalism (using a combination of travel modes) and so is able shed one vehicle, the savings typically average about $5,000 annually. If these savings were invested each year over a typical 45 year working career, the household will retire about a million dollars wealthier.” There’s motivation for ya!

Research by Metrolinx finds that on average, people in the GTAH spending about $70 per week on transportation. Initially, the projects in the Regional Transportation Plan will cost about $155 per year per person in the GTHA, and reach $470 per year per person in 2033. When you break it down like this, $50 billion doesn’t sound so bad.

QUESTION: How much do you spend on transportation within the GTHA in a given week on items such as gas, parking, transit fares, cabs and tolls?  How much more would you be willing to pay per week in order to reduce your travel time, improve the reliability and predictability of your travel time, and/or improve the quality of your travel experience?

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Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion at Exhibition GO Station Thursday Morning (source: Liberal Party of Canada via Flickr)

The Federal Election campaign is now 10 days in and today, the Liberals announced details of their policy in regards to public transit and infrastructure. Taking the GO Train from Burlington to Exhibition GO Station today, Dion and several other prominent Toronto-area Liberals gathered to make the announcement. Details of the three-point plan are available here, and summarised below:

• Any future Federal budget surpluses beyond $3-billion will be dedicated to infrastructure, in particular, green initiatives
• A new Crown-controlled, majority owned “Infrastructure Bank” will be establish to leverage the Federal Government’s borrowing power at low interest rates. This money will then be available to municipalities to fund their infrastructure needs, including for public transit. Through this bank, Canadians can also purchase “Green Bonds”, similar to Canada Savings Bonds, with tax-free returns on investment
• A 10-year, $70-billion infrastructure plan, including $8-billion dedicated to a National Transit Strategy for expansion and “greening” of Canada’s transit systems

The announcement also states that a Liberal government would be a “willing partner” in projects such as high-speed rail, which is subject to a study by the Ontario and Québec provincial governments that was announced in January.

Commentary after the jump…

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source: Conservative Party of Canada

As everyone all probably knows already, Canada is again in full election mode with our trip to the ballot box scheduled for October 14th. Over the next four weeks, we will see the four main parties duke it out for our votes. Considering the dependency of infrastructure investment on upper levels of government, what we choose next month will have an impact on the shape of our future transportation. Therefore, I will focus my articles over the next while on how each party will deal with the transportation challenges in not only the GTA, but cities all across Canada.

Today, I will review what the Conservative government has done (or not done) for transit in the GTA since being elected in 2006.

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