Spring Public Meetings Roundup

Posted on: May 10th, 2013

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.

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Ward 17 Event: “Public transit for the future: Who pays?”

Posted on: May 6th, 2013

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/public_transit_who_pays  or www.facebook.com/Civic17

Link to map and transit directions

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Future Transit Question of the Month: Are Cemeteries Being Expropriated?

Posted on: April 12th, 2013

#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!

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Media Advisory: CodeRedTO to host transit expansion & funding info sessions in April & May

Posted on: March 27th, 2013

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.

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Toronto Region Board of Trade Joins the Rational Funding Conversation

Posted on: March 18th, 2013

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.

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Future Transit Question of the Month: Emergency Vehicles and LRT Curbs

Posted on: March 15th, 2013

#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!

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Future Transit Question of the Month: Midland & McCowan during the SRT Replacement

Posted on: February 15th, 2013

#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!

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Upcoming Workshops about the Future of Eglinton

Posted on: February 12th, 2013

Upcoming Workshops about “Designing the Future of Eglinton”

Metrolinx invites us to join them at any of three public workshops to tell them what we think about Eglinton’s future.

At these workshops, Metrolinx will present preliminary designs for the stations, including some that were not part of previous consultations.  Metrolinx will also show designs for LRT surface stops and alignments.  However, Metrolinx will not be discussing the Kennedy Mobility Hub and parts of the line that are currently under review.

Please drop by to any of the workshops any time between 5:30 and 9:00pm.  Presentation and Workshop start at 6:30pm.

 

WEST WORKSHOP

When:            Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Where:           York Memorial Collegiate Institute

2690 Eglinton Avenue West (Keele & Eglinton)

 

CENTRAL WORKSHOP

When:            Thursday, February 28, 2013

Where:           Forest Hill Collegiate Institute

730 Eglinton Avenue West (Chaplin & Eglinton)

 

EAST WORKSHOP

When:            Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Where:           Noor Cultural Centre

123 Wynford Drive (Wynford & Eglinton)

 

View the flyer here

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Resources on Revenue Tools and Funding for Transit

Posted on: February 8th, 2013

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!

 

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Feeling Congested? Have your say!

Posted on: February 8th, 2013

Interested in more consultations and discussion of revenue tools? The City of Toronto is holding public consultations on congestion as well, and they want to hear from you!

  • Etobicoke, February 4, 4-9pm
  • Scarborough, February 6, 4-9pm
  • North York, February 11, 4-9pm
  • Toronto City Hall, February 13, 4-9pm

Also available at feelingcongested.ca is the public consultation toolkit – if you can’t attend you can download all the presentation materials to review at home: Feeling Congested Toolkit

Learn more

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How to Help

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LEARN about Transit and why there's room for subways, light rail, and streetcars throughout our region. Combining different modes can often be a great city-building choice for the medium-density and lower-density neighbourhoods in Etobicoke, Scarborough, North York, Mississauga, Brampton, Hamilton, and Kitchener-Waterloo.

CALL your City Councillor, and tell them that you want rational, affordable, and rapid transit in Toronto to benefit everyone, not just one small section of the city. Rapid transit to Malvern, Morningside, and Waterfront East are achievable if we learn from successful transit networks around the world.

TELL your friends and family that new rapid transit is amazing - it really is! - but unless we stabilize and grow operations funding we risk leaving people waiting for crowded buses for decades longer.

Did you know: The bus routes on Finch carry as many riders per day as the population of North Bay! Routes on Lawrence, Jane, and elsewhere also carry a huge number of riders per day. We are decades behind and need more and better transit options for our residents now, not just small extensions that use up all the budget.

Contact us at info@CodeRedTO.com

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