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THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON
Meeting:
REPORT
GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE File # 100
DECEMBER 6, 1999 Res. #67/ -511-'11
Date:
Report No.: WD-46-99
By-Law #
Subject:
GTSB TRANSPORTATION WORKSHOP
Recommendations:
It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee
recommend to Council the following:
1. THAT Report WD-46-99 be received; and
2. THAT Lynn Morrow, Executive Director, Greater Toronto Services Board, be advised of
the following comments:
The Municipality of Clarington:
1) Recognizes the difficult challenges of this endeavour and generally supports
the group's initiative to form transportation vision framework and both short
term and long term strategic plans for Greater Toronto Area Municipalities.
The intent of which is to ensure strong economic performance and
environmental sustainability with a mix of capital spending on both roads
and transit.
2) Maintains the focus should be on moving people and goods across the region
and among communities and not dictating changes to existing official plans,
municipal capital budgets or local transit services.
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REPORT NO.: WD-46-99
PAGE 2
3) Maintains the need for a specific reference to rural areas and not just a
Toronto focus with a review and possible provision to restore full train
service easterly to Oshawa.
4) Is involved In a current locallDurham Regional initiative with Entra
Consultants to develop a strategy that rationalizes the roles and
responsibilities of five operators in the delivery and operation of transit
services in the Highway No. 2/401-transportation corridor.
REPORT
1.0 ATTACHMENTS
No.1: Correspondence dated October 11, 1999, from Lynn Morrow, with a copy of the
Board report and the Workshop Proceedings
2.0 BACKGROUND
2.1 At a meeting held on October 25, 1999, the Council of the Municipality of Clarington
passed the following resolution:
"THAT the correspondence dated October 11, 1999 from Lynn Morrow
regarding the GTSB Transportation Workshop, be received;
THAT the correspondence be referred to the Director of Public Works for
review and preparation of a report to be submitted to the General Purpose
and Administration Committee; and
THAT Lynn Morrow be advised of Council's decision."
3.0 REVIEW AND COMMENT
3.1 The distribution of the first Transportation Workshop Proceedings by the Greater Toronto
Services Board to all municipalities and transportation agencies was intended to promote
understanding and spark further debate. Responses were requested within 60 days, with the
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REPORT NO.: WD-46-99
PAGE 3
second workshop scheduled for October 22, 1999, with future dates undisclosed. The
intention is to create both a vision for future transportation and to devise a strategy for
priority transit measures, which could be incorporated within the next two years.
3.2 Creating a Greater Toronto Area transportation vision and converting it to reality is a
difficult undertaking. Past reports have been prepared, but never acted upon. The goal of
the workshop was not to complete action plans, but to initiate the process of reaching
consensus on various strategies. To move forward on seamless transit will require a
commitment by politicians and professionals to a transit vision and to long-term and short-
term plans.
3.3 The next steps include preparing a region-wide vision for transportation, gleaning the key
findings from the considerable amount of work that has already been completed, and
developing a consultation process for involving the various organizations who have a
contribution to make in fitting together the various pieces of an integrated transportation
plan. The Transportation Planning Staff Team is working to refine the transportation vision
developed at the Workshop and will report back to the Transportation Committee with a
recommended GT A/Hamilton- Wentworth transportation vision as soon as possible.
3.4 The implementation of this plan is driven by the co-ordinated commitment of the Greater
Toronto Services Board and its members, as well as local and regional municipalities and
the support of an informed public. The workshop is the first step towards an "Agenda for
Action" that needs to include an agreement by the GTSB on a region-wide vision for
transportation, elements of a long-range plan for integrated and seamless transit service, and
a prioritization of short-term steps that can be taken to begin the journey toward the
transportation vision.
3.5 The most recent report of proceedings from the October 22, 1999 Transportation Workshop,
regarding funding issues, was not posted to the web site (www.gtsb.on.ca) at the time this
report was prepared.
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REPORT NO.: WD-46-99
PAGE 4
4.0 CONCLUSION
4.1 As mentioned previously, the distribution of the first "Transportation Workshop
Proceedings" was intended to promote understanding and spark further debate. Recognizing
this, it is concluded that the Municipality's comments for this early stage of the process will
be general in nature and generally supportive.
Respectfully submitted,
Reviewed by,
~~
Stephen ~. Vokes, P. Eng.,
Director of Public Works
() f cedJ2~u
Franklin Wu,
Chief Administrative Officer
RDB*SA V*ce
29/11/99
1 1 27
GTSB
Greater Toronto Services B_49 2 20 PH '99
October 11, 1999
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Mayor Diane Hamre
Municipality of Claringron
40 Temperance Street,
Bowmanville, ON L1C 3A6
Dear Mayor Hamre,
The Board at its meeting October 1 sc 1999 adopted clause 2 in Transportation
Committee Report No.5 as amended. Included in the clause was a recommendation
from the Transportation Committee that the proceedings from the Board's August lOch
Transportation Workshop be sent to GTSB member municipalities and transit
authorities for comment within 60 days. A copy of the Board report and the Workshop
Proceedings is enclosed.
Recognizing municipal councils meeting schedules your early attention to this
matter would be appreciated. Responses should be forward to Lynn Morrow at the
address below.
Yours truly,
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n Morrow
xecutive Director
cc Municipal Clerk
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1000 Murray Ross Parkway, Toronto, ON M3J 2P3
Tel: 416-338-2990 Fax: 416-338-2994 Toll Free: 1-877-335-3319
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ATTACHMENT NO.: 1
REPORT NO.: WD-46-99
GTSB
Greater Toronto Services Board
TIle Board at its meeting October 1'1 1999 adopted the following report of the Transportation
Committee.
Clause 2 of Transportation Committee Report No.5 GTSB
TRANSPORTATION WORKSHOP PROCEEDINGS - AUGUST 10, 1999.
The Committee had before it a report from the Executive Director dated
September 9, 1999, setting out the proceedings of the GTSB Transportation Workshop
held on August 10, 1999.
The Committee recommends that the Board adopt the
recommendations contained in the report of the Executive Director
(September 9,1999) amended to read as follows:
1. The GTSB Transportation Workshop Proceedings be forwarded to the
Board for information;
2. The Transportation Planning Staff Team refme the transportation
information developed at the Workshop and utilizing the other reports
that are available report back to the Transportation Committee with a
recommended GTNHamilton-Wentworth transportation vision
framework as soon as possible;
3. The Transportation Planning Staff Team consider the Workshop
Proceedings in preparing a transportation plan for the GT A and
Hamilton-Wentworth for consideration by the Transportation
Committee, and all municipalities and transportation agencies be
requested to provide their comments on the Workshop Proceedings
within 60 days; and
4. The appropriate officials take the necessary action to give effect hereto.
1 : 29
2
The Committee submits the following report from the Executive Director
(September 9, 1999):
It is therefore recommended that,
3.
the GTSB Transportation Workshop Proceedings be forwarded to the Board for
information;
the Transportation Planning Staff Team refine the transportation vision
developed at the Workshop and report back to the Transportation Committee
with a recommended GTNHamilton-Wentworth transportation vision as soon
as possible;
the Transportation Planning Staff Team consider the Workshop Proceedings in
preparing a strategic transportation plan for the GTA and Hamilton-Wentworth
for consideration by the Transportation Committee;
the appropriate otticials take the necessary action to give effect hereto.
1.
,
4.
Introduction
The first GTSB Transportation Workshop was held on August 10, 1999.
Workshop participation was significant and contributions to the day were generously
given by a variety of organizations and individuals committed to addressing the
transportation challenges faced in the GT A and Hamilton-Wentworth. The attached
Workshop Proceedings give a flavour of the breadth and scope of the event.
Background
The Board at its meeting April 23, 1999, directed that a Transportation
Workshop be arranged which would both enhance understanding of GT A
transportation challenges and opportunities, and initiate priority elements of the
Transportation Working Group's work program.
GTNHamilton-Wentworth Transportation Plan
The workshop was a starting point. Its purpose was to move forward on a
commitment to an integrated transportation system in the GT A and Hamilton-
Wentworth. This was achieved by building a better understanding of the GT A transit
network, existing inter-municipal arrangements and efforts to improve transit's share of
travel, and the challenges we face; and by demonstrating a willingness to work together
and the need to move forward quickly.
1 1 30
3
The Transportation Planning StafTTeam has been established and work has
begun on preparing a strategic GT NHamilton-Wentworth Transportation Plan. The
ne:\"t steps include preparing a region-wide vision for transportation, gleaning the key
findings from the considerable amount of work that has already been completed, and
developing a consultation process for involving the various organizations who have a
contribution to make in titting together the various pieces of an integrated
transportation plan.
Conclusion
The Transportation Planning StafTTeam is working to refine the transportation
vision developed at the Workshop and will report back to the Transportation
Committee with a recommended GTNHamilton-Wentworth transportation vision as
soon as possible. Insights from the Workshop will be useful input to the preparation of
the strategic transportation plan.
As indicated at the workshop a copy of the proceedings will be sent to all
participants. In addition the proceedings will be publically available on the new GTSB
web site (www.gtsb.on.ca). including a video summary program being developed by
Toronto's CyberTV.
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On August 10, 1999 the Greater Toronto Services Board hosted a
transponation workshop in an effort to inaease awareness ofkey
transportation issues facing the Greater Toronto Area, particularly
congested roads and the declining share of trips made by public transit.
The workshop was the first of two - the second will take place on October
22 and will specifically address transportation funding.
Conclusions reached in these workshops will form the basis of a
strategic plan for GTA municipalities in their quest of long-term solutions.
This Agtnd4 for Aaion is intended to include steps that can be taken in the
next couple of years to provide immediate relief from a problem that is
already negatively impacting on the region's economic competitiveness and
the quality of life of its five million residents.
This report of the first workshop proceedings is provided for the
interest of groups or individuals who could not attend, in the hope that it
will promote understandirig and spark further debate about the
transportation challenges. we face today and in coming years.
A S~ Point
GTSB Chairman Alan Tonks opened the workshop by inviting
participants to help devise a strategy for priority ~it_ measures that could
be implemented throughout the-Greater Toron~ Area and Hamilton-
Wentworth within the next two years.
He noted that the economic performance and environmental health
of the GT A depends on an effective transportation network. "We have a
great responsibility in front of us," he said. "The economic
competitiveness of the GT A depends on getting our transportation act
together; the environmental sustainability of the region depends on it; our
quality of life depends on it."
He reassured participants - about 125 registrants including regional
and local politicians - that the focus is on moving people and goods across
the region and among communities and not on dictating changes to
existing official plans, municipal capital budgets or local transit services.
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He labelled the workshop a "starting point" that would "kick-start"
the process of increasing public commitment to transit.
GTSB Transpoftation Wcx1tshop pege 1
1 1 33
York RegioD G1uintWl.BiU EiJcb. co-chai~ of the tranSpOrtation
committee, observed that the large turnout on a hot day in August was a
sign of the high priority placed on working together and finding
transportation solutions without delay. 1_.
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Workshop ProceedlDp
The Economic RelioD - A Reality Check
This presentation provided an overview of regional growth,
changing demographics, growing congestion, the declining share of trips
made by transit, and other transportation-related issues and problems in
the GT A and Hamilton-WentwOrth. It also addressed the effects of these
issues on the quality of our lives and our economy.
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A number of key conditions were identified:
. Employment in the GT A is growing faster than it is in Ontario or
the country as a whole. .
. Thele is a strong relationship between employment and net
migration patterns, since migration depends on employment.
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GTSB Transponation wOttlhop Page 2
1: 54
. The area of grea~ growth in the GT A will be outside of
Toronto.
· Between 1991 and 2021, the GTA's population will grow by 57
per cent and employment will grow by 64 per cent.
· The population is aging and demographics are changing, both of
which will lead to increasing travel and changing travel needs, such as
more auto trips and increased demand for specialized transit services.
· Transit ridership is up, but the share of total trips taken by transit
is down.
Some consequences were noted:
· There will be increasing travel and increasing congestion.
· Travel in congested conditions has already increased absolutely
and as a percentage of all trips taken.
Certain solutions were proposed:
· There is a need for increased capital spending on roads and
transit throughout the region.
· In municipal Official Plans there should be more focus on
transIt.
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· We need to take a proactive approach to the provision of transit.
Todav's Transit SYStems
This presentation provided a look at the two aspects of our transit
system (interregional transit and
local transit with cross-boundary
connections), current service
levels, fare integration,
information systems and
accessibility features. It also
addressed what is currently
being done to integrate transit
among vanous operators to
provide a seamless service to
commuters.
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. GO Transit is a regional carrier, providing some 40 million trips
annually. _ '- 'I
. The ukeshore line provides all-day service be~n Oakville and
Pickering and during peak periods extends to Hamilton and Oshawa.
. On radial lines - Georgetown, Milton, Bradford, Richmond Hill,
Stouffville - service is provided in the rush hours.
. Buses are employed to increase the ridership market for trains
and are also used to supplement and support train service.
. More than 110 buses depart daily from Union Station.
. Regional buses provide all-day service to less urbanized areas,
such as Uxbridge.
. Local transit systems provide connections to GO Transit,
primarily to rail system.
. Bus to train fare integration allows GO ticket holders to ride
locally free or at a reduced fare. (
Local Transit
. Sixteen of the 18 transit systems in the GTA and Hamilton-
Wentworth, provide some connections to at least one neighbour.
. There are three
types of cross-boundary .
service: (1) service
integrated, extra fare, (2)
service integrated, closed
door, and (3) service and
fare integrated.
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provided by the TIC
into neigbouring
municipalities is an
example of integrated service but where commuters pay fares to both
operators.
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· Services provided by municipalities.into TorontO rcpre.ent , ,
integrated service but where the buses cannot provide local service within
Toronto.
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· Service across municipal boundaries outside of Toronto
represents a fully integrated system where no additional fare is paid and
transfers are accepted between systems.
Examples of Current Local Initiatives
This discussion attempted to answer the question: Are we boosting
transit ridership?
· Market Analysis: The TIC is conducting research on riders who
take transit by choice (they own a car and could choose to drive). The goal
is to determine what makes transit attractive in order to market those
benefits.
· Report Card: York Region asked the public to rate how well its
Official Plan has been implemented in the past five years. It found the
Official Plan to be supportive of transit but showed that transit was
performing poorly. As a result, York municipalities created a transit task
force to co-ordinate east-west services and to proceed with high-occupancy
vehicle lanes (HOV).
· New Development Areas: Mississauga studied the low-density
character of development and its impact on transit use. It noted a high
growth rate and increasing population and employment in new
development areas. Mississauga Transit responded by introducing new
fringe routes and providing local transit as soon as the roads are available in
order to capture riders early.
· Interregional and Local Fare Arrangements: Durham recognized
increasing demand for cross-boundary services between Ajax and Whitby.
A fare agreement with GO Transit allows Whitby passengers to transfer
free in Whitby and for SOt in Ajax. Without GO, it would cost each
municipality $56,000 annually, but under this system the deficit, billed to
Whitby, isjust $10,000.
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The goal of the workshop'Was not to complete action plans, but to
initiate the process of reaching consensus on various strategies. To move
forward on seamless transit will require a commitment by politicians and
professionals to a transit vision and to long-term and short-term plans.
Participants were divided into five working groups representative of
various points of view. Members consisted of politicians, municipal staff,
transit operators, planners, consultants, advocates and interest groups -
each bringing individual perspectives, issues and proposals.
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The afternoon workshop was divided into three phases. In the first,
participants were given a draft transportation vision for the region and
asked to revise it to reflect their own aspirations. In the second, each
group was asked to develop a long-range plan including specific
recommendations. In the final phase, they were invited to further refine
their long-range plan and to identify any items that could be considered
achievable in the short term.
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Participants began their consideration of transportation solutions by
reviewing a draft vision containing 10 elements:
1. A more compact urban form, focused on a series of nodes and corridors
supponed by priority transit, such as advanced traffic signals, special
lanes and so on.
2. Compact, mixed-use communities and neigbhourhoods supponed by
transit-friendly design and pedestrian and cycling activity, so that GTA
communities are served by the most appropriate service options.
Planned and co-ordinated transit routes and nodes, roads, parking and
truck routes across the GT A
Transit service more attractive relative to the automobile.
Universal access to all components of transit so that persons with
disabilities enjoy equal levels of service.
Integrated fares and services across boundaries and between buses and
trains.
Technologies applied throughout the transit system which will help
people get around while protecting the environment.
Infrastructure kept in a good state of repair, including roads, rail, buses
and terminals.
A GT A transit plan supponed by stable and sustainable funding and
revenue commitments.
10. Strong local and regional political leadership with a commitment to
implementing a proactive and progressive transit plan supponed by an
informed public.
Groups spent from one-half hour to almost the entire session
discussing these elements. All of the groups struggled with the vision,
with these points being most contentious:
· The focus appeared skewed toward transit. (It was explained that
this was the preference of the Transponation Committee, not the result of
a lack of understanding of the overall context.)
· There needs to be specific reference to rural areas. Most groups
felt there was an urban focus, particularly a Toronto focus.
GTS8 Transportation Wor1<ahop Page 7
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· The context for the vilion
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participants caned for
thedefming of overall
principleS" and
objectives.
. There should
be more balance
between transit and
roads. It was observed
that the movement of
goods and services
requires more focus on
roads. The diversity of communities and environments across the region
also calls for more balance.
Development Issues
The first two elements of the draft vision relate to municipal
planning. While revision of Official Plans is not the aim of this exercise,
the discussion groups all expressed concern that the context assumed a
highly urbanized community with high levels of transit service.
Participants from smaller communities felt that these elements of
the draft vision reflected a lack of understanding of smaller and urban
areas. Many also felt that the two points represented an attempt to
encourage, if not impose higher densities in their communities. & one
participant noted: Good communities include transit; they aren't
necessarily created by transit.
It was also noted that in many local and regional Official Plans there
are many transit-supportive provisions and requirements, but that much of
the effect is lost in implementation and through amendments to
accommodate individual developments.
As a result, in the revised draft vision the first two elements are
combined into a single statement, and a new item is added reflecting the
need for sensitivity to different planning contexts and for not diminishing
the effectiveness of transit-supportive Official Plans through amendments.
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1 1 40
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Transit Services I'
The third, founh and sixth statements relate to the provision of
transit services across the region. Many groups found an inherent
contradiction in the description of integrated services and cross-boundary
fares. There was considerable discussion in all groups related to the need
to establish transit's role within the overall transportation context and to
establish relative priorities for transit, the movement of goods and services,
and auto traffic.
In this light, several groups thought it necessary to highlight transit
"competitiveness" rather than "attractiveness" and to specify proactive
measures that suppan such competitiveness, including systems that give
transit priority, connections between buses and other transit vehicles, and
integrated fares.
The issue of seamless transit was raised by most groups and reflected
in the revised draft vision by the inclusion of words such as "convenient,"
"integrated" and "continuous." Planning, co-ordination and governance
issues were raised by some groups, whose participants wondered who or
what groups would take responsibility and how local interests would
continue to be served.
Accessibility
The fifth element of the draft vision elicited a common concern
among all groups - cost and practicality. While all groups were generally
supportive of the concepts of access for disabled persons, many were
concerned with the use of terms such as "universal," "all components" and
same levels."
Many participants were concerned that the element implied a need
to extend transit service into areas that otherwise would not be served by
transit in order to provide universal accessibility. The revisions to the
statement reflect a desire to ensure access for people with disabilities
without committing to transit services that cannot be supported
economically.
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All groups agreed that the seventh and eighth elements were Critical
to the vision but represented more of an implementation process. The
seventh element, specifically addressing technology, was seen to be outside
the concept of a vision statement and current technologies already meet
the concept.
All groups agreed that a state of good repair for infrastructure for
roads, rail lines, stations and vehicles was consistent with their
transportation vision, but saw this more as a means toward achieving the
vision. To reflect this discussion, these two items were deleted in the
revised draft vision.
Political Support and Funding
Often viewed as inseparable form one another, these two elements
were highlighted by most groups as key to achieving the mission. Most
groups saw the order of the entire list as an implied hierarchy and wanted
either or both of these items moved to the top.
All groups recognized the need to identify the responsibility of all
levels of government in providing funding and support for transit,
particularly the senior governments. Most groups highlighted the role of
the GTSB in playing a co-ordinating role, responsible for organizing and
focussing planning efforts toward a common- goal.
The Revised Draft Transl'ortatioD Vision
As a result of the group discussions, a revised draft vision was
created, consisting of a preamble and seven key elements.
Our Transportation Vision is based on the following factors:
. the Greater Toronto Area and Hamilton-Wentworth is important
to the economy of the province and the nation;
. effective transportation services are important to rural, suburban
and urban communities and make a vital contribution to our economic,
environmental and social well-being;
. successful transportation services are inextricably linked to land
use and development form; and
. the movement of goods, services and high-occupancy vehicles
should take priority over low-occupancy vehicles.
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These factors reflect the need to create a comprehensive
transportation plan. Within the plan, transit plays a critical role and its
development is guided by this vision:
1. Compact development and mixed-use communities and
neigbourhoods are supported by effective and appropriate transit services,
as well as pedestrian and cycling activities.
2. Appropriate development patterns which support transit services are
implemented in rural, suburban and urban communities according to the
concepts in their Official Plans.
3. Transit routes, roads and truck routes are convenient and continuous
across the region.
4. Transit services are competitive with auto travel, supported by
integrated fares, ease of connection between buses and trains, and transit
pnoflty measures.
5. People with disabilities have equal access to service available in their
commUnities.
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6. The transit plan and road network are supported by stable and adequate
funding, with contributions from all levels of government.
7. The implementation of this plan is driven by the co-ordinated
commitment of the Greater Toronto Services Board and its members, as
well as local and regional municipalities and the support of an informed
public.
Phase 2: A Lone:-Ranee Plan
Participants addressed long-term planning in terms of "corridors"
rather than specific alignments or sites. Elements discussed by each group
are consolidated below:
GO Transit Expansion
· extend rail service to Barrie and Bolton
· provide all-day full service on all lines
· extend radiallilles, such as Georgetown to Guelph
· provide tunnel expansion and full service to Hamilton
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1 1 43
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· create a transit corridor' from Watefloo and through Toronto to
the east
· create a transit corridor from Highway 10 in Pickering in the
Highway 401 and 409 corridor
· extend the Spadina subway to Vaughan Corporate Centre
· no extension of the Sheppard subway until densities are increased
· implement a transit corridor in Highway 407
Roads and Parking
· construct Highway 413,' a new east-west highway north of
Highway 407
· create HOV lanes in selected corridors
· vary pricing for parking, HOV use and other elements to reduce
congestion or raise funds from it to improve transit
OrganizationaVInstitutional
· amalgamate transit authorities
· provide planning and economic incentives to encourage
development at transit nodes, particularly where buses connect with rapid
transit systems
· co-ordinate planning throughout the GT A and Hamilton-
Wentworth
Phase 3: Short-Term Elements
Each group was asked to take their long-range plan and refine it in
an effort to identify short-term "doables." The criteria for this were
variously defined as "doing what we can with what we've got" or
identifying what can be achieved in less than two years.
These would be the first steps required to achieve the long-term
vIsion:
"
(
GO Transit
· construct a Bloor/Dundas station to relieve Union Station
· purchase and upgrade Union Station
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· increase the number of trains on existing lines
· construct the "missing" third track from Port Credit to Oakville
· restore full service to Oshawa and implement full service to
Burlington
· construct a Burlington midtown station
· upgrade and replace all , .~~:'~
GO stations, including additional
parking
· identify the need for
grade separations
Buses and Rapid Transit
· provide priority to transit
at key intersections
· provide an airport link
from downtown, with a bus link in
the short term
· extend Spadina subway to
Vaughan Corporate Centre
· provide transit services in the Highway 407 corridor
· provide one-stop shopping for route, fare and other information
for transit throughout the region
· adopt common bus technologies to reduce costs
· amalgamate or integrate transit authorities
· create a common fare structure
Roads and Parking
· extend Highway 407 with HOV lanes
· widen Highway 404 and Highway 400 with HOV lanes
· provide adequate commuter lots at various locations
· extend the H OV networ~ giving top priority to highways
· study Highway 413
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Or~nizationallJnlCilational". " I: (, ,', . . )4 , ,~. ; ,
. mediate and resolve cross-boundary transit (Burhamthorpe) and
road (Steeles/Taunton) issues
. pursue public and private sector partnerships
. improve intermunicipal co-ordination and co-operation
~
"
Summary
Following their three-phase efforts in smaller groups, all participants
gathered, where Michael Roschlau, president and CEO of the Canadian
Urban Transit Association, presented a summary of the discussions.
He observed that listening to the perspectives of people from
different parts of the GTA and Hamilton-Wentworth demonstrates why
we need a mix of elements in our plan for tnrlsit across the region. He
also commented that the discussion revealed that we need to reflect the
diversity of our different communities.
His summary reiterated the major points of the revised draft transit
vision, including the need to:
. establish the transit plan in the context of an overall
transportation plan, with a focus on a stronger role for transit;
. establish the vision in plain language, eas ~~v understood by all,
with a preamble setting out the economic, environmental and social
context;
r
. incorporate stable and sustainable funding, involving all levels of
government;
. recognize and address issues of serving rural areas as well as
urban areas;
. implement the land use and transit objectives in current Official
Plans;
. meet the needs of commuters, not service providers;
. include a statement on accessibility related to disability, age and
economic level; and
. secure political leadership from the GTSB.
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Transportation committee co-chairman Terry Cooke, chairman of
Hamilton-Wentworth, declared that the workshop "started the ball rolling"
toward catching the public's imagination and compelling senior
governments to join in creating practical solutions to problems already
evident today.
"If there is a test of relevancy and constructive input that the GTSB
can make, it will be whether or not we can come to a common point on
transportation issues and moving an agenda forward," he said.
He ended with a call to "grab the ball and run with it."
Where Do We Go From Here?
r
The GTSB Transportation Workshop began to answer the "what" in
the question of "funding what?" It demonstrated that there is a willingness
to work together, to try to fit various pieces of the transportation puzzle
together, and the need to move forward quickly.
It acknowledged some of our successes in delivering local transit
services while noting the need for building on these strengths in a region.'
wide plan.
The workshop is the first step towards an Agenda for Action that needs
to include an agreement by the GTSB on a region-wide vision for
transportation, elements of a long-range plan for integrated and seamless
transit service, and a prioritization of short-term steps that can be taken to
begin the journey toward the transportation vision.
G
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1 1 47
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Contributor.
The Greater Toronto Services Board thanks the numerous municipal,
local transit and GO Transit staff, and representatives of various consulting firms
who provided advice in the preparation of the workshop. In particular, the
Board would like to recognize the generous contributions of the following
contributors:
Stuart Angus, Eanh Tech Canada * Dennis Callan, McCormick Rankin
Corporation * Richard Ducharme, GO Transit * DeDDis Fletcher, ENTRA
Consultants Inc. * Crystal Greer, City of Mississauga * Bob Hughes, TIC *
Angela lannuzzieUo, ENTRA Consultants Inc. * Neil Irwin, IBI Group *
John Livey, York Region * Gregg Loane, Durham Region * Tom
McCormack. Strategic Projections Inc. * Angus McDonald, City of
Mississauga * Paul May, York Region * Anna Pace, City of Toronto * Fran
Perkins, University of Toronto * Richard Puccini, Dillon Consulting *
Michael Roschlau, Canadian Urban Transit Association * Ian Smith,
Johnston Smith International * Sierra Water, Richmond Hill * Gary Webster,
TIC * Maureen Wdson, Hamilton-Wentwonh Region * Sue Zielinski,
Moving the Economy r
GTSB
ENTRA
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