/R E P E A T -- Bus Bypass lanes will help to improve GO Transit service on
Don Valley Parkway/

TORONTO, Sept. 1, 2010 /CNW/ - The City of Toronto and GO Transit are working together to allow GO Transit vehicles to use shoulder lanes on a segment of the Don Valley Parkway at times when regular traffic is moving slowly. This program will help to improve travel times for commuters who choose public transit. The initiative was approved by Toronto City Council in June.

As part of this new initiative, GO Transit buses are able to travel in the shoulder lanes of the road, between Lawrence Avenue and a point just north of York Mills Road in both directions beginning on September 7. When traffic slows down to speeds lower than 60 km per hour, the buses will be allowed to use the lanes to bypass congestion, at speeds not exceeding 20 km per hour over the speed of regular traffic.

"This initiative is another important step in our efforts to make Toronto a transit friendly city and an environmental leader," said Mayor David Miller. "Those who choose to drive the Don Valley Parkway will have exactly the same number of lanes as they have now. But it is our hope that with improvements to the speed of GO bus service, more people will get out of their cars and opt for public transit thereby reducing congestion, gridlock and pollution."

By providing space in the shoulder lanes for GO buses to bypass congestion, the existing lanes of the DVP are not reduced for vehicles and the GO buses do not further add to the existing congestion.

"The bus bypass lanes will improve the service we provide to our customers," said GO Transit Managing Director, Gary McNeil. "The GO buses will be able to bypass the congested parts of the DVP making it an even more attractive service for commuters using transit."

In addition to GO Transit vehicles, police, emergency vehicles and winter maintenance vehicles will still use this lane to perform their duties.

The cost of the project was approximately $120,000, which is funded by GO Transit. The work required to convert the shoulder lanes for use included signage, pavement markings, travel control and other equipment. Support for the use of the municipal roadways and maintenance is provided by the City of Toronto. Both GO and the City of Toronto will monitor these lanes and are considering other locations along the Don Valley Parkway where bus bypass lanes could be implemented.

GO Transit is the Province of Ontario's interregional public transit system linking Toronto with the surrounding regions of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). GO carries nearly 55 million passengers a year in an extensive network of train and bus services that spans over 10,000 square kilometres. GO Transit is a division of Metrolinx, an agency of the Province of Ontario.

Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.7 million people. It is the economic engine of Canada and one of the greenest and most creative cities in North America. Toronto has won numerous awards for quality, innovation and efficiency in delivering public services. Toronto's government is dedicated to prosperity, opportunity and liveability for all its residents. For information about non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For further information: GO Transit - Media contacts: Vanessa Thomas, 416-874-5974, [email protected]; or Robin Alam, 416-874-5975, [email protected]; City of Toronto - Media contact: Steve Johnston, Sr. Communications Coordinator, 416-392-4391, [email protected]