Jan 29

Fixing Canada’s Ailing Rail System: Op-Ed Article

By Transport Action Ontario | Intercity Rail and Bus

Greg Gormick is a long-time Toronto transportation writer and advisor, who has been a colleague and often a consultant to Transport Action.  He has written a thought provoking  op-ed article entitled “Fixing Canada’s Ailing Rail System”.   The article was originally published in the Toronto Star on January 26, 2014, and was subsequently picked up by other major newspapers across Canada.

 

The article discusses four major concerns with Canada’s once proud and efficient rail system: safety breaches, line abandonment, angry shippers and the deterioration of VIA Rail.   It points to a solution involving more public investment and increased oversight, as was done in the USA.  It notes that the first step is a long-overdue public debate leading to a national rail policy.  Finally, it urges federal Transport Minister Lisa Raitt to let the debate – and the rail recovery – begin.

 

The full article can be read here:  TorontoStar Railway Crisis 2014-01-26

 

 

Jan 21

Revitalizing New Brunswick’s Rail Sector

By Transport Action Ontario | Intercity Rail and Bus , Major Reports

Transport Action Atlantic has released its long-awaited report entitled “Revitalizing New Brunswick’s Rail Sector”, by Greg Gormick.  The report was funded by 5 municipalities in New Brunswick and one business agency.

 

The report covers three items

  • Steps to take with regards to CN’s proposed abandonment of the Moncton-Belledune section of its Newcastle Subdivision
  • Steps to undo the damage done by VIA’s halving of the frequency of the Ocean
  • Steps to support the expected revival of Industrial Rail Services

 

The executive summary can be viewed here.

The full report can be viewed here.

The report conclusions and recommendations can be viewed here.

 

 

Dec 24

Toronto Billy Bishop Airport Expansion – Presentation by Dr. Avrum Regenstreif

By Transport Action Ontario | Aviation , Latest News , Major Reports

 

Transport Action Ontario (TAO) board member Dr. Avrum Regenstreif has extensive experience over a period of 30 years in analysis and planning of airport projects.

 

He prepared a paper for TAO to be presented to the City of Toronto in early 2014.  It discusses numerous issues with the proposed expansion at Billy Bishop Airport (BBTCA), experience in other cities with intercontinental jet airports on urban waterfronts, and rail alternatives to an expansion at BBTCA.

 

His paper can be viewed at this link:  BBTCA Final Presentation 2013-12-23

 

 

Dec 18

Statement by “Move the GTHA” on Transit Investment Panel Report

By Transport Action Ontario | Urban Transit

 

 

On December 12, 2013, the Ontario Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel, chaired by Anne Golden, issued its final report.  It made 20 recommendations for how new transportation projects in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) should be funded.

 

As a part of the Transit Panel’s public consultation process, the Move the GTHA collaborative, which includes Transport Action Ontario,  made a submission to the Panel, shown as another posting on this website.

 

Move the GTHA compliments the Panel for its excellent work under a short timeline, and for recommending a combination of funding sources that will raise a much needed $1.7 to $1.8 billion annually when fully implemented.

 

With the reports by Metrolinx and the Panel now in hand, Move the GTHA calls upon the Ontario Government and the opposition parties to work constructively to arrive at a resolution on transportation funding sources.

View the full statement here.

Nov 26

Move the GTHA: Submission to Provincial Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel

By Transport Action Ontario | Urban Transit

 

In September, the Ontario government announced the formation of a Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel, tasked to review and advise the government on its response to the Metrolinx Investment Strategy, and to potentially consider additional funding options.   The Panel was to report back to government by December, 2013.   The Panel was chaired by Anne Golden, Past President & CEO of The Conference Board of Canada, and Distinguished Visiting Scholar and Special Advisor at Ryerson University.

 

The Move the GTHA collaborative, including Transport Action Ontario, met with the Panel in November, and subsequently made a formal submission to the Panel on November 26, signed by over 30 non government organizations.

 

The text of the submission can be read here:  Move-the-GTHA-Transit-Panel-Submission

 

 

 

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