Submission to Ontario 2024 Budget Consultation

The Ontario government is conducting public consultations leading up to its 2024 Budget, expected in March, 2024. Transport Action Ontario has made a written submission on public transportation needs, with eight recommendations:

• Make Community Transportation Grants permanent
• Use a partnership approach on regional passenger rail outside the Greater Golden Horseshoe
• Work with CN to upgrade track for new “Northlander” train
• Support shortline rail with track maintenance tax credit
• Introduce provincial banking of discontinued rail corridors, i.e. “rail bank”
• Do a deep dive into capital costs and procurement model for rapid transit in Ontario
• Cancel Highway 413
• Scope new revenue tools for municipal government, and on congestion/road pricing

Our submission can be viewed below.