Expanding transit in Toronto is a regional issue

CAA South Central Ontario calls on GTHA municipal leaders to embrace regional transportation planning

THORNHILL, ON, June 28, 2012 /CNW/ - An effective and integrated transit system, through multiple modes, is vital to addressing the current and future demands on the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area's (GTHA) road infrastructure.  CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) believes in order to relieve the increasing traffic congestion in the GTHA a regional solution is required.

Yesterday, TTC Chair Karen Stintz unveiled an ambitious proposal entitled the "OneCity Transit Plan" which includes 175 kilometres of transit lines - six subway lines, 10 LRTs, five bus and streetcar routes - across the City of Toronto. The plan will take 30 years and cost $30 billion to build.

While CAA SCO recognizes the TTC Chair's attempt to expand the transit system within the city's borders, the growing problem of traffic congestion extends well beyond the City of Toronto and into the 905 region to the west, north and east.

"Several years ago Metrolinx unveiled 'The Big Move', a document designed to have a common vision for transportation across the region.  The 'OneCity Transit Plan' presents one option for funding transit, but does not fully connect with Metrolinx's regional plans for transit", said Faye Lyons, Government Relations, CAA SCO. 

"CAA SCO is calling on the TTC Chair to work with key stakeholders, Metrolinx, the Ministry of Transportation, and neighbouring municipalities and politicians to determine the best ways to alleviate congestion across the region. Our members travel from Barrie to Toronto, Ancaster to Markham, Toronto to Ajax and Toronto to Burlington, and transit plans need to reflect travel patterns throughout the GTHA."

The announcement of the "OneCity Transit Plan" introduces a 30 year plan without any significant expansion of transit into any 905 community.  CAA SCO continues to advocate that the GTHA needs a long-term funded regional plan that will offer solutions that reflects how and where people commute each and every day, while also preparing for future residency patters. 

"The GTHA's transit needs are rapidly evolving with increased rush hour traffic in all directions and expansion of our transit system needs to reflect this," added Lyons. "These discussions have far reaching impacts and we need to consider effective transit options within the City of Toronto and beyond."

CAA South Central Ontario is a not-for-profit auto club offering insurance, travel, automotive care and roadside services. There are more than 1.8 million CAA members in South Central Ontario and 5 million members in Canada. We're more than Roadside Assistance. We're Life-side Assistance. Visit www.caasco.com.

Media contact: Silvana Aceto, Media and PR Specialist, CAA SCO, [email protected], Office: [phone], Cell: [phone] or Jeff LeMoine, Internal/External PR Specialist, [email protected], Office: [phone], Cell: [phone].