Toronto Mayor Opts for Road Tolls to fund Transit Expansion

By Transport Action Ontario | Latest News , Urban Transit

Original Post November 25, 2016.   See update as of December 2, 2016 at end of posting

The City of Toronto is facing a major budget shortfall for 2017 – both for operating costs and capital costs.  The problem is not that spending is too high, but that revenues are too low.  Following extensive research, City staff has identified a number of revenue options, ranging from higher residential property taxes, increased land transfer taxes, hotel tax, reinstitute vehicle registration tax and implement expressway tolling.   These will be subject to additional analysis and public consultation.

However, in a bold and remarkable speech at the Toronto Region Board of Trade on November 24 (with TAO in the audience), Toronto Mayor Tory publically stated his preference for tolls on the Gardiner and Don Valley Expressways, raising about $200M/yr to be dedicated for transit capital expansion.  The statement caused a Canada-wide media sensation, with plenty of comments pro/con.

TAO has long supported new revenue tools for transit, especially ones like road pricing that raise revenue and incent drivers to switch to more sustainable transportation modes. We will continue to advocate for and support efforts to introduce such tools in Toronto and other Ontario municipalities.

Update as per December 2, 2016

On December 1, Toronto Executive Committee considered various staff reports outlining numerous new revenue sources to be considered for the City’s 2017 operating and capital budgets.  These included road pricing, as well as the other tools cited in the original post, above.   Transport Action Ontario made a formal deputation with the following key points:  urging City to talk to other GTHA municipalities, pushing the province for leadership, supporting road tolls, recommending other big-ticket revenue sources and encouraging transparency and accountability of the Fund.

Our deputation can be viewed here:  tao-deputationtotoronto2016-12-01

Executive Committee did support road tolls as well as a limited suite of other tools.  The recommendations now go to Budget Committee and City Council.  Stay tuned!

Search for new VIA Rail chairperson holds promise of real and long-overdue change

By Transport Action Ontario | Intercity Rail and Bus , Latest News , Press Releases and Open Letters

All Aboard St Marys and Transport Action Ontario issued a joint press release applauding the federal government’s search for a new chairperson for VIA Rail.

The release can be viewed here:  tao-aasm-release-via-chairperson2016-11-28

Op-Ed for New Revenue Tools for Sustainable Transportation

By Transport Action Ontario | Latest News , Urban Transit

Comments on Metrolinx Discussion Paper for the Next Regional Transportation Plan

By Transport Action Ontario | Intercity Rail and Bus , Latest News , Urban Transit

Metrolinx is in the process of updating their Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.  This would replace the previous RTP,  The Big Move, which was released in 2008.  They have released a Discussion Paper on topics and approaches to be included in the update.

Transport Action Ontario has submitted a formal letter response to the Discussion Paper.

Our input can be viewed here:  tao-mx-rtp-2016-11

Rail advocates outraged by Garneau announcement

By admin | Latest News , Press Releases and Open Letters

Rail advocates outraged by Garneau announcement

Minister supports cheap airlines over good rail options

OTTAWA – Transport Action Canada is stunned, even outraged, by the Transportation 2030 Vision presented in Montreal by Transport Minister Marc Garneau last Thursday.

“With climate change on everyone’s mind, and transportation causing a huge percentage of greenhouse gas emissions, smart solutions are needed,” says the public transportation advocacy group’s president Bruce Budd. “And the smartest solution of all is the rail network we already have. Except for a brief passing reference to a feasibility study of high frequency rail service linking Toronto to Ottawa and Montreal, why has Minister Garneau virtually ignored VIA Rail Canada in his 2030 Vision?”

The Amtrak system, the US equivalent of VIA Rail, demonstrates that short, intermediate and long-distance trains can be heavily used, and gain significant ridership. Amtrak’s success is bringing demands across the US for increased train service of all kinds. Transport Action believes that this would happen in Canada if our passenger train network was modernized, expanded, reliable and lower-cost.

Adding new discount airlines may be helpful to some, Budd says, but short-haul air travel is a poor solution for a government committed to “real change” and reducing greenhouse gases. If Canada followed the lead of countries like France, Germany, Japan, China and the US, by making investments in passenger rail, we would get much closer to our climate change targets, he predicted. Passengers would continue to fly for most long distance trips, but use or connect to fast efficient train networks for shorter journeys.

“Canadians travel all the time. They deserve affordable, efficient and sustainable ways to get around. Why drive congested, dangerous, snowy highways and pollute our environment? Canada’s railways are not just for freight; they are the best solution for millions of travelling passengers. Investments in VIA Rail will produce benefits all across Canada: higher speeds and higher frequency for the busy corridors, reliable safe on-time options for long distance travellers, and vital links for First Nations and remote communities.”

Transport Action Canada works with its regional partners Transport Action Ontario, Transport Action Atlantic, and in Quebec and Western Canada to connect community groups, government stakeholders and businesses, and advocates for better travel options across the country. TAC has commissioned many studies, available on its website, showing how passenger rail networks can be improved quickly and affordably.