CodeRedTO partner Pembina Institute has released an important new report detailing some of the major success factors on current Ontario rapid transit projects, and how they can be applied in future.

Most opponents to new light rail projects in Ontario aren’t opposed to rapid transit in general, but actually take issue with the process and how decisions are made.  Best practices like engaging early, being transparent, and working closely with developers and landowners can go a long way to making a project more likely to succeed.

What’s key is that communities can learn from one another as we quickly implement new rapid transit.

Says Pembina:

The current roll-out of rapid transit infrastructure in Ontario is one of the biggest infrastructure builds in the province’s history, with over $30 billion in investment from the Province of Ontario and major inputs from the federal and municipal governments. With such significant investments at stake, it’s important to get the process right.

In this report, we examine engagement and planning processes around ongoing rapid transit projects in four Ontario communities to better understand the challenges and success factors associated with these efforts.

The full report, Getting on Board, can be viewed here: http://www.pembina.org/pub/getting-on-board

CodeRedTO was formed to advocate for better transit, for more residents, sooner. While our focus has always been the City of Toronto, we have partnered for several years with Move The GTHA, a collective of over two dozen major groups working toward better funding, better decision making, and better accountability on transit and transportation across the Greater Toronto & Hamilton Area.

Better transit options and service are needed in all communities of course. CodeRedTO also partners with some organizations in cities outside the GTHA, and supports any organization putting better transit ahead of partisan or technology ideology.

Here is a partial list of groups we know of. If we missed you, email info@CodeRedTO.com to be added!

Brampton: Fight Gridlock

Hamilton: Hamilton LRT

Waterloo Region: Tri-TAG

London: Shift Happens

Ottawa: Healthy Transportation Coalition

Sudbury: Friends of Sudbury Transit

Toronto: TTC Riders

Spring 2016 is proving to be a busy time for transit improvements throughout Toronto, the GTHA, and beyond. Below are some upcoming public meetings, and reports of recent meetings and progress.

Upcoming Meetings

Relief Line Alignment Public Meetings

From the Chief Planner’s office: To learn more about the Relief Line and provide your feedback, plan to attend one of the upcoming public meetings:

• Tuesday May 31, Scarborough Civic Centre, 150 Borough Drive (map), 6:30 to 8:30 pm, presentation begins at 7 p.m.
• Wednesday June 1, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, South Building, Room 801, 222 Bremner Blvd (map), 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., presentation begins at 7 p.m.
• Thursday June 2, Riverdale Collegiate, 1094 Gerrard St East (map), 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., presentation begins at 7 p.m.
• Saturday June 4, York Humber High School, 100 Emmett Ave (map), 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., presentation begins at 10 a.m.
• Tuesday June 21, City Hall, Members’ Lounge, 100 Queen St West (map), 3rd floor, 3:30 p.m.to 6:30 p.m., presentations begins at 5 p.m.

Updates on multiple projects will be available at each meeting, with June 2nd focused most on the Relief Line.

Toronto Waterfront Transit “Reset” Public Meeting

Multiple overlapping and conflicting proposals for waterfront transit in Toronto are being examined to determine an appropriate path forward. From the organizers: “We invite you to attend an upcoming public meeting for the Waterfront Transit “Reset” Phase 1 Study. Two public meetings have been scheduled – one at a location in the central waterfront and one at a location in the western waterfront. Both public meetings will include a presentation of the study progress to date and a range of transit concepts under consideration. Please choose the location convenient to you.

Public Meeting Details (Central Location)
Date: Wednesday May 25, 2016
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Open house begins at 6:00 p.m., followed by a presentation at 6:30 p.m.
Location: 235 Queens Quay West, Toronto, ON M5J 2G8 at Brigantine Room at Harbourfront Centre (major intersection is Queens Quay West and Lower Simcoe Street)
Map: Click here.
Transit: Closest TTC subway station is Union Station. Take the 509 Harbourfront streetcar or the 510 Spadina streetcar to Harbourfront Centre. Walk west on the south side of Queens Quay to Harbourfront Centre at Lower Simcoe Street. Please use the TTC trip planner for additional options.
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessibility is at the main entrance.

Public Meeting Details (West Location)
Date: Thursday May 26, 2016
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Open house begins at 6:00 p.m., followed by a presentation at 6:30 p.m.
Location: 95 Mimico Avenue, Toronto, ON M8V 1R4 at John English Junior Middle School in the auditorium (closest major intersection is Royal York Road and Mimico Avenue)
Map: Click here.
Transit: Take the Bloor-Danforth (Line 2) subway to Royal York Station. Then take the 76A bus south to Mimico Avenue. Walk east on the south side of Mimico Avenue to John English Junior Middle School. OR Take the 501 Queen (Long Branch) streetcar to Mimico Avenue and walk west on the south side of Mimico Avenue to John English Junior Middle School. Please use the TTC trip planner for additional options.
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessibility is at the auditorium entrance on Mimico Avenue.”

London Rapid Transit Public Meeting

The City of London is considering transit improvement options including a BRT or LRT line. Similar to debates in Toronto, discussion has centred on construction disruption and overall costs. From the organizers: “Have your say on the future of Rapid Transit in our city! Attend in person, send a submission, and/or follow online as the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee holds a public participation meeting to hear from Londoners regarding the selection of a preferred option for rapid transit in London.”

Recent Meetings & News

• CodeRedTO has finalized a donation to Lifeline Syria at Ryerson University to help subsidize transit needs of newcomer Syrians, and increase their accessibility to Ryerson programs and services, such as employment fairs, financial literacy workshops, peer mentoring sessions, and ESL support. CodeRedTO has also worked with local volunteers to develop a simple language guide to making use of the TTC to help newcomers quickly gain familiarity with their new city.
• TTC Riders held their Annual General Meeting, which included a presentation on active projects within Toronto from the city’s planning department, and the release of their annual report.
• Local mayors and transit advocates recently gave a tour of Kitchener-Waterloo’s under-construction ION light rail line to visitors from Hamilton and Brampton, while Brampton residents continue to debate possible LRT routes if future funds become available.
• Rollout of the PRESTO smartcard on the TTC continues quickly, with 29 rapid transit stations, all streetcars, and the first converted buses now supporting PRESTO. Check the TTC’s PRESTO page for the most current information.
• Due to low ridership during its first months, Metrolinx has modified the Union Pearson Express (UPX) fare structure, with PRESTO cardholders now paying $9, and non-airport commuters paying standard GO rates for Bloor and Weston stations. In response, ridership has increased significantly.
• For transit history fans: Starting on Sunday, May 22, and every Sunday until Labour Day weekend, TTC customers can step back in time on the vintage PCC streetcar, which makes its return to the 509 Harbourfront streetcar route. The classic burgundy-and-cream-coloured streetcar can be boarded from about noon to 5 p.m., on Sundays only. PCC rides are free of charge.

CodeRedTO today announced a new infographic today showcasing some of the surprising results of a recent Angus Reid Forum survey it commissioned as part of the Move The GTHA collaborative. The full infographic can be downloaded below, and the survey methodology and results can also be found at Move The GTHA.

The survey, designed in collaboration with Move The GTHA partners and the Angus Reid Global research team at Vision Critical, showed strong support across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area for better public transit funding, increased infrastructure spending, and 59% support region-wide for “an increase in taxes or fees to improve public transit infrastructure in the GTHA.”

Our newly-released infographic:

Full results at Move The GTHA