Register here! Only 17 tickets remain as of 9:30am Monday! The pre-sale has ended already, but there are 60 seats available at the door – arrive early to guarantee a seat!
Learn more about Jarrett Walker here: http://www.humantransit.org/
Author Archive
Spacing and CodeRedTO present Jarrett Walker, author of “Human Transit”, June 19
Spring Public Meetings Roundup
In April and May CodeRedTO held a series of public meetings in Etobicoke (Jane and Finch, and Richview Gardens), Scarborough (Malvern), Leaside (Thorncliffe Park) and East York (Danforth and Coxwell) to share detailed information with the public on transit expansion projects happening in and near their communities. Metrolinx also presented information about future transit funding and their research into how other regions around North America and the world have paid for major transit expansion.
Invited were all Toronto city councillors, and all nearby provincial MPPs and federal MPs, and turnout was most impressive! Some councillors chose to not respond to our invitations to events in their wards but we extend our sincere thanks to the following elected representatives for attending:
- Councillor Mary Fragedakis, ward 29
- Councillor Paula Fletcher, ward 30
- Councillor Janet Davis, ward 31
- Councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon, ward 32
- Councillor Maria Augimeri, ward 9
- Councillor Chin Lee, ward 41
- MPP Peter Tabuns, Toronto – Danforth
- MPP Michael Prue, Beaches – East York
CodeRedTO extends an open invitation to any community organization or elected representative who would like more information on transit presented at their event to contact us at any time. We have presented for MPs, MPPs, city councillors, and the University of Toronto, and we only use information from official sources and checked by transit agency officials.
To review our presentation, just click below to download the PDF version of our slides.
Some great questions were raised during our presentations, and we will share detailed answers soon. If you have any questions on transit expansion or funding, email info@coderedTO.com and we will get answers from the experts.
Ward 17 Event: “Public transit for the future: Who pays?”
Join CodeRedTO, Metrolinx, CivicAction, and TTCriders to talk about the future of public transit in the GTHA. Note we are listed as an expert but while CodeRedTO shares information found in research, please note that we do not have expert urban planning or transit engineering knowledge.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013, 6-8 pm
Dufferin/St. Clair Library 1625 Dufferin Street
Expanding public transit in our region is a pressing need. There is a plan (The Big Move) and there have been consultations from the province’s regional transit planning agency Metrolinx, the City of Toronto and civic groups.
Now we want to hear from Ward 17 residents.
To pay for the new buses, LRTs and subways, should government create new revenue tools? Pay for it with taxes? Raise fares?
This is a chance for Ward 17 residents to hear from experts about the region’s pressing needs, the plans to build transit, and the options to pay for it. And like every Civic17 event, it’s a chance for residents to connect with each other and share their own views.
Expert Panel:
Dina Graser, Metrolinx
Luca De Franco, TTCriders
Cameron MacLeod, CodeRedTO
Linda Wichel, CivicAction
Invited to share their position:
Councillor Palacio
MPP Jonah Schein
MP Andrew Cash
For more information visit:
http://www.civic17.ca/3/
Future Transit Question of the Month: Are Cemeteries Being Expropriated?
#CodeRedTO takes your questions and finds answers! This month: To widen the road and maintain two lanes of traffic in both directions, is land required for the Sheppard East LRT from any Cemeteries?
We spoke to both the TTC and Metrolinx, and here’s their response:
At this time, land is not required from any cemeteries for the widening of Sheppard Ave East. For example, at the cemetery at Knox United, the line has been designed to veer slightly to the south so that it minimizes any impact to the church property. There will still be enough room on the north side of Sheppard, east of Midland Ave to have a sidewalk and maintain the church property. This is a very historic part of Scarborough and it will be treated with great sensitivity. Here is a slide that depicts the alignment at Midland Ave and Sheppard Ave East (from Sept 2010)
Got a question you can’t find the answer to? Email info@CodeRedTO.com or find us on Twitter at @CodeRedTO!
Media Advisory: CodeRedTO to host transit expansion & funding info sessions in April & May
Press release issued this morning:
Toronto transit advocacy group CodeRedTO will be hosting a series of public meetings about transit expansion and funding across Toronto during April and May. Our invited guests include all area councillors, MPPs, MPs, and representatives of Metrolinx.
All residents are welcome to join us at any of these events:
Thorncliffe Library, 48 Thorncliffe Park Dr – Saturday, April 13, 2:30-4:30pm
Danforth/Coxwell Library, 1675 Danforth Ave – Tuesday, April 16, 6:00-8:00pm
Richview Library, 1806 Islington Ave – Friday, April 19, 6:00-8:00pm
York Woods Library, 1785 Finch Ave W – Wednesday, May 1, 6:00-8:00pm
Malvern Library, 30 Sewells Rd – Sunday, May 5, 2:30-4:30pm
Map of locations: http://goo.gl/maps/3csnK
These Open House-style meetings will provide constituents with facts (both good and bad) on transit expansion projects, light rail and its impact, and about future funding for better transit in the GTHA. Half the time will be devoted to conversation and questions from residents, and some local councillors and Metrolinx have also offered to make presentations.
“The conversation about transit expansion has changed,” said CodeRedTO Executive Director Joe Drew. “Dedicated funding from new revenue tools and smart ideas from many sources are showing how seriously residents and businesses are taking our infrastructure needs.”
“We keep hearing that residents and businesses want to get moving,” said Cameron MacLeod, CodeRedTO Executive Director. “The time for vague discussion is over. If you’re not willing to participate in the serious conversation, then you’re going to be left behind.”
These public meetings are part of the ongoing Move the GTHA campaign, which promotes better information and funding, and more conversation on the future of transit, in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.
Who has been invited? All MPs and MPPs representing the areas close to future LRT lines, any Toronto City Councillors close to future LRT lines, along with BIAs and local community organizations. Public notices are also being shared online and with nearby libraries, schools, and community centres.
For more information, please contact:
Cameron MacLeod, Executive Director, CodeRedTO
www.coderedTO.com | info@coderedTO.com | 416-779-5638
About CodeRedTO: CodeRedTO is a volunteer-led transit advocacy group in the GTHA based on the principle of better decisions through better information. We provide facts about transit modes, options, and proposals, to assist GTHA residents in understanding and evaluating transit information and ideas. We are not controlled by any transit agency, elected representative, or business. We receive funding only from Metrolinx earmarked for community conversations in partnership with www.MoveTheGTHA.com, and all other activities are funded through personal donations.
Toronto Region Board of Trade Joins the Rational Funding Conversation
TORONTO, 18 March 2013 – CodeRedTO applauds the Toronto Region Board of Trade’s funding recommendations for Metrolinx’s The Big Move. Their contribution is an important part of our shared goal to help “Move the GTHA”.
“Cities around the world including Paris, San Francisco, and Vancouver have all financed transit expansion with new revenue tools. It’s time the Toronto Region catches up,” said CodeRedTO Executive Director Cameron MacLeod.
“CodeRedTO is glad to see this conversation about how to fund transit in the GTHA shift toward specific tools, and the Board’s suggestion of four viable tools is one that we support. Saying no to revenue tools for transit is the same as saying no to transit entirely, which is not an option.”
Added Executive Director Joe Drew, “Saying no to transit was never an option, really, and we’re paying for the lack of proper funding now.”
TRBOT’s proposal features four significant revenue tools to be dedicated toward improvement to transit infrastructure in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area: a regional sales tax, a parking space levy, a regional fuel tax, and high occupancy toll lanes. The business community is clearly ready to speak seriously and specifically about fighting GTHA congestion. In addition, Metrolinx has released a new detailed review of transportation funding tools used around the world to great effect.
CodeRedTO is happy to see the transit funding conversation move forward into specifics, and looks forward to the release of Metrolinx’s Investment Strategy by June 1, 2013.
About CodeRedTO:
CodeRedTO is a volunteer-led transit advocacy group in the GTHA based on the principle of better decisions through better information. We provide facts about transit modes, options, and proposals, to assist GTHA residents in understanding and evaluating transit information and ideas. We are not controlled by any transit agency, elected representative, or business. We receive funding only from Metrolinx earmarked for community conversations, and all other activities are funded through personal donations.
Future Transit Question of the Month: Emergency Vehicles and LRT Curbs
#CodeRedTO takes your questions and finds answers! This month: Will EMS vehicles have the ability to travel at full speed down the transit right-of-way after the Sheppard East LRT is constructed? (is the curb height confirmed and location of curb cuts for EMS and Fire to access the ROW?)
We spoke to both the TTC and Metrolinx, and here’s their response:
EMS vehicles will have access to utilize the Sheppard East LRT ROW when needed. Speed limitations, curb heights and the location of curb cuts will be determined during the detailed design phase.
Got a question you can’t find the answer to? Email info@CodeRedTO.com or find us on Twitter at @CodeRedTO!
Future Transit Question of the Month: Midland & McCowan during the SRT Replacement
#CodeRedTO takes your questions and finds answers! This month: Will there be a designated pick up and drop off area provided at Midland Station and/or McCowan Station when the SRT is rebuilt?
We spoke to both the TTC and Metrolinx, and here’s their response:
The current plan for the SRT conversion does not include adding a passenger pick up/drop off area at Midland or McCowan Stations. However, as part of the conversion plan, all of the SRT stations will be built to have an accessible entrance. Other passenger pick up/drop off areas will be improved or added as part of the plan. The existing Kennedy Station passenger pick-up and drop off area will be modified and/or relocated as part of the station improvements. Also, the new Sheppard East station, near Progress, proposes to have a bus terminal and passenger pick up/drop off facilities.
Got a question you can’t find the answer to? Email info@CodeRedTO.com or find us on Twitter at @CodeRedTO!
Resources on Revenue Tools and Funding for Transit
We’ve gathered some resources for those interested in revenue tools potentially under consideration for the GTHA and future transit funding – send your additions to info@coderedTO.com!
- From the Toronto Board of Trade, The Move Ahead: Funding “The Big Move” (PDF, May 2010)
- From the Mowat Centre, Putting Canada on Track: A Blueprint for a National Transit Framework (PDF, October 2011)
- From the Pembina Institute, Driver’s Choice (April 2012)
- Victoria BC’s LRT project Local Funding Options Technical Report (August 2012)
- From the Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario, Constructing Ontario’s Future (PDF, January 2013)
- City of Toronto public consultations, Feeling Congested
- Metrolinx public consultations, Join the Big Conversation
- Los Angeles County’s “Measure R” sales tax to fund transit expansion
Presentation to the Ontario Legislature’s Standing Committee on General Government
On June 6th, a representative of CodeRedTO spoke to the Standing Committee on General Government at the Ontario Legislative Building (commonly referred to as Queen’s Park). The committee is studying congestion and gridlock, and also heard presentations from Metrolinx, the TTC, several cities and regions including Toronto and Ottawa, TTCriders, and others. (Click to view the June 4 and June 6 agendas; the full transcript or recording will eventually appear on the committee website here)
We were given 10 minutes to speak, and 5 minutes for questions. On such a deep and often technical topic, this was a very slim timeframe to work with. The decision was made to focus on some simple history and facts, one big idea, and several appendices to include other information that the MPPs may be interested in reading later. (Click to download the full presentation, 2 MB PDF)
The “one big idea” chosen was the idea of a transportation-specific tax, possibly connected to a referendum, using Los Angeles County’s “Measure R” as a template. A 1% increase in the Ontario HST province-wide, dedicated to transit, road, and bike infrastructure, would net about $1.5B per year and should be designed to bring funding back into every community in a consistent and non-partisan way.
Our presentation began with a mention of specific transportation issues in committee members’ ridings, which drew nods from all parties as they clearly understood the funding problems their constituents often face. During the question segment, a representative from each of the PCs, the Liberals, and the NDP expressed their thanks for the engaging and clear presentation. They then asked questions based on either genuine interest or political hobby-horses, depending on one’s preferred party.
Some of the questions that were asked (and which many other presenters were also asked) included:
- What do you think about LRT vs subway? (PC)
- Our response: Toronto is one of the only cities on the planet that uses only buses and subways. [Not said: Streetcars in this question function as buses, in that they are slow and low-capacity compared to the modes in question.] Every other advanced transit system uses a mixture of modes for different situations. We advocate for the right technology in the right place at the right time, and we want better rapid transit options for more residents, sooner. Sometimes that means LRT, sometimes it means subways, sometimes it means neither.
- Did you ask anyone outside Toronto about this tax idea? (Liberal)
- Our response: no, this is not meant as a formal proposal and though we have heard strong messages of support from outside Toronto and Ottawa, this has not been formally measured.
- What do you think about TTC vs Metrolinx construction of LRT lines, that is AFP/P3 vs more TTC control? (NDP)
- That is very far outside our areas of expertise, and while we want more rapid transit sooner, and AFP approaches have worked well in Europe but perhaps less well in North America, we have no opinion on this as we don’t have the expertise.
- Were any other revenue methods considered? (Liberal)
- Yes, in that we think there are many methods to gather revenue that should all be explored and used, rather than sticking to just one revenue generator.
CodeRedTO was happy to be able to present, and we mentioned in our presentation and reiterate here that we receive no funding or talking points from any political party, group, or elected individuals. We are happy to bring presentations of varying lengths about light rail, about transit expansion, about the pros and cons of various technologies and designs, to any public meeting should an MPP (or anyone!) like to invite us.