Western Ontario Warden’s Caucus Submission to “Moving Ontario Forward”

By Transport Action Ontario | Intercity Rail and Bus

The Western Ontario Warden’s Caucus (WOWC), a not-for-profit organization representing 14 counties and Chatham-Kent in Western Ontario, has led a submission to the Government of Ontario’s Moving Ontario Forward consultation.  This consultation is requesting input on how to allocate funding on critical infrastructure needs and an integrated transportation network across the province.  About $15 Billion is available over 10 years for projects outside the GTHA.

The WOWC consulted with member municipalities, the nine single-tier municipalities in the region and various non-government organizations including the Southwestern Ontario Transportation Alliance (SWOTA) and Transport Action Ontario (TAO).  The submission includes a number of strategic areas, including our $400 Million (over 5 years)  Network Southwest plan.

The WOWC submission can be viewed here:   WOWC-submission to MovingONForward2015-09

In addition, SWOTA issued a letter of support for the WOWC submission, providing more detail on the Network Southwest portion.

The SWOTA letter can be viewed here: SWOTA-supportfor WOWC2015-09-15

The North Main Line Reborn: Action Plan for VIA’s North Main Line

By Transport Action Ontario | Intercity Rail and Bus

On July 30, 2015, the St Marys Ontario Save VIA non-government organization released a new report on VIA’s North Main Line.    Save VIA  is a close affiliate of Transport Action Ontario, and we are both members of the Southwestern Ontario Transportation Alliance (SWOTA).

The report gives a situation analysis and outlines numerous quickly-implemented low-cost improvements that can be implemented on the line to boost ridership, revenue, cost recovery and service frequency.  The report can  be viewed here:   NML Reborn Final Rev5 150801sm (1)

Safety Issues to Consider in the Proposal to Expand Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport

By Transport Action Ontario | Aviation

The Greater Waterfront Coalition, of which Transport Action Ontario is an active member, has released a 30 page report, together with photographs and illustrations,  on 11 safety issues associated with the  proposal to expand Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (BBTCA).      The report calls for independent expert study of these issues.

The report has been presented to the Working Group of Waterfront Toronto’s Peer Review of the Environmental Assessment for this expansion.

The report can be viewed at this link:  http://www.waterfrontcoalition.ca/safety_report

Move the GTHA Coalition Reacts to Results of Vancouver Referendum on Transportation Funding

By Transport Action Ontario | Urban Transit

The results of a  referendum in the Greater Vancouver Region held during May and June were released on July 2.  The referendum asked residents to vote on a half-point sales tax increase, which would be dedicated to regional transportation initiatives.  At final count, only 38 per cent of those who cast a ballot supported the increase.

The Move the GTHA Coalition, of which Transport Action Ontario is a core member, released the following statement: here

Letter of Support for Hurontario-Main Light Rail Transit Project

By Transport Action Ontario | Urban Transit

On April 21, 2015, the Ontario government committed to full provincial funding, totalling $1.6B,  of the 23 km LRT project proposed along Hurontario and Main Streets in Mississauga and Brampton, between Port Credit and downtown Brampton.  Transport Action Ontario welcomes this announcement.    However, while this project has been well accepted in Mississauga, there has been debate in Brampton about the best route through or around the heritage area on Main Street.   The issue will be resolved by Brampton Council in July.

Transport Action Ontario has published a letter of support for the Main Street route, which is strongly recommended by both Metrolinx and Brampton City staff.   The letter can be viewed here:   TAO-letter-BramptonLRT2015-06-17