Metrolinx the Great Unknown

TORONTO, March 14, 2016 /CNW/ - Greater Toronto is currently undergoing the largest transit infrastructure expansion in its history. Metrolinx is an agency of the Government of Ontario developed to provide an affordable integrated means of transportation for the working people in the GTHA region.

Most recently the Union Pearson Express (UPX) has garnered a great deal of controversy due to its epic failure and drastic fare reduction in an attempt to lure new local commuters. The project is very controversial because of its high political priority targeting business elitists rather than the working people that have been desperate for an increase in public transit.

Bonnie Lysyk, Ontario's Auditor General has stated that Metrolinx did not implement recommendations from an Auditor General's report from 2012 and where Metrolinx staff were overly optimistic on ridership projections. Decisions are being made and these decisions are going unchecked with no regard for accountability.

Metrolinx, however remains a relatively small agency, especially in comparison with the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC). Its core staff is small and consists of many former political staffers. Perhaps this is where the problem begins. There is not one representative from the working class that sits on the Metrolinx Board of Directors that can speak for the unsuspecting taxpayers. Is it not time that the working class rise up and demand transit service equity in every municipality and not have to wait to be given the leftovers of societies 1% after it has failed?

ATU Canada is the National Voice of transit workers representing over 33,000 members across Canada.

SOURCE ATU Canada

Paul Thorp, President, Amalgamated Transit Union Canada, (ATU Canada), Bus. 416-679-8846, Fax. [phone], Mobile. [phone], [email protected]