Transportation in the GTHA – Status and Outlook

By Transport Action Ontario | Highways and Bridges , Urban Transit

Transport Action Ontario recently presented a summary update of GTHA (Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area) transportation improvements and challenges to a Toronto-based seniors group. The presentation covered both public transit and expressways. It presents a useful snapshot of the current status of this vital public service, including:

• Massive anticipated population increase and high levels of congestion are driving the need for more transportation capacity. Province is responding with both a large transit expansion program and a major plan to build more expressways.
• Over $100 Billion of rapid transit capital investment since 2010, but more needed.
• Smaller projects underway to improve transit, including priority bus features and on-request transit.
• Federal government finally investing in VIA Rail, but operating challenges continue. New High Speed Rail (Alto) project has been announced, but is proceeding at very slow pace and very high cost.
• Road widenings/new expressways are not the answer. Put the funds into transit instead.
• Transit challenges include operational funding, reliability and escalating cost of construction.

The update can be viewed below.

Transportation Infrastructure: Virginia Invests while Ontario spends

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

Transport Action Ontario (TAO) remains deeply concerned about the direction of transportation congestion relief policies in Ontario. While the province is investing heavily in transit in Greater Toronto, the solution that elected officials promote and brag about is to spend billions on new highway infrastructure, and millions more on policies to lower costs for drivers – such as toll eliminations and gas tax reductions.

The State of Virginia is facing a similar congestion problem, and has chosen to invest in passenger rail rather than more highways and more lanes, for a variety of good reasons. TAO board member Ken Westcar attended a recent webinar from the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority, and has written an article contrasting Virginia and Ontario.

Ken’s article is attached.

Ontario Policy Brief – Passenger Rail in Southern Ontario

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

With the upcoming Ontario election, February 27, 2025, Transport Action Ontario has prepared a policy brief on increasing investment in intercity passenger rail in southern Ontario, as extracted from Transport Action Canada’s 2024 report “Beyond HFR: Advancing Passenger Rail Across Canada”.

The one-page brief has been sent to all political parties with members in the Ontario legislature. The brief describes the idea and the ultra-low costs involved.

The brief can be seen below.

Updated Bear Train business case released

By Transport Action Ontario | Northern Ontario

After a ten-year hiatus in passenger service, the Mask-wa Oo-ta-ban (Algoma Bear Train) may be poised to begin weekend-only operation between Sault Ste. Marie and the south end of Oba Lake if federal or provincial funding can be secured to restore service for residents and visitors to First Nations communities, lodges and camps in the region made famous by the Group of Seven artists.

The Mask-wa Transportation Association Inc. (MTA Inc.) and the Coalition for Algoma Passenger Trains (CAPT) hosted a special event at the Agawa Canyon Tour Train Station on Thursday, December 12, 2024 to release the results of a study conducted by CPCS, a leading Canadian railway and infrastructure consultancy.

Mask-wa Transportation Association Inc., a non-profit corporation established by Missanabie Cree First Nation was pleased to announce that after intense analysis by CPCS, an updated Bear Train Business Case has been developed. This new business case includes updated financial projections, which will strengthen the feasibility and viability of the initiative.

Once all the necessary funding is secured, and with support from the Agawa Canyon Railroad line owner Watco, the Bear Train would be able to resume a weekend-only passenger service between Sault Ste. Marie and the south end of Oba Lake. MTA Inc. will approach federal and provincial governments in the new year to request ongoing operating funding for this service.

Watco, which took over operation of the 245-mile stretch of tracks running from the Sault to Oba from CN in 2022 and has continued operation of the seasonal Agawa Canyon Tour Train, signed a memorandum of understanding with the Missanabie Cree First Nation at the time regarding partnership opportunities for the Algoma Central Railway.

“This initiative is about more than transportation—it’s about a critical First Nations project, community connections and regional economic development,” said Chair, David MacLachlan. “We’re excited to bring this vision closer to reality with the support of our partners and community.”

To amplify these efforts, the Campaign for Algoma Passenger Trains will be launching a widespread advocacy campaign to rally support for the Bear Train funding. Community backing is essential to making this project a reality, as it promises significant benefits for First Nations communities and all residents along the Algoma Central Railway route.

To continue service north of Oba Lake, to the junction with the CN main line at Oba and up to Hearst, would require capital investment to repair the Oba Lake bridges there, which Transport Action Canada’s Beyond HFR report asks the federal government to consider.

Truck Toll Discount on Highway 407 – Feasibility Study

By Transport Action Ontario | Highways and Bridges , Latest News

Highway 413, a proposed new expressway northwest of Toronto, continues to be a very controversial project with residents. Transport Action Ontario (TAO) has been actively proposing an alternative solution – more higher order transit to move people, and a toll discount for trucks to use the existing toll Highway 407. Our studies, confirmed by others, have shown that the truck toll discount is more cost-effective than building Highway 413.

There is growing interest in utilizing Highway 407, and Ontario Premier Ford has committed to a feasibility study on a buyback of the 407 concession agreement. A motion to support the provincial study, and to include a one year pilot on a truck toll discount, was brought before the City of Vaughan Council on December 3, 2024. TAO made a deputation in support of this study and also urged a prompt one-year pilot study on a truck toll discount in a dedicated truck lane on Highway 407.

The motion was passed at Vaughan Council on December 17, 2024. Our deputation is shown below.