Metrolinx, the provincial agency charged with sorting out the Greater Toronto Area’s transportation woes, has come out with a draft Regional Transportation Plan. They are looking for feedback and comments from the public before they release the final version. The consultation process is open to November 14 online, and there will be some public meetings as well (in Toronto, one at the Metro Convention Centre on October 22, and the other at Downsview Park on October 27. All of the meetings are Open House 5-7pm, and meeting from 7-9pm).
I recommend that anyone interested in transit, cycling or walking (and I know that describes many of our readers) participate in this process. The final plan will shape transportation in the GTA for the next 25 years. The online consultation system is quite good — you have to register, but once you do, you can read and comment on individual sections of the plan as you see fit (the comments are anonymous online), in as much or as little detail as you want. You can also download the entire 108-page PDF if you’re feeling brave.
4 comments
There’s both a lot of good and a lot of cause for concern within this effort. Yes, we really need a lot more transit, but one specific focus for this transit is going to be the Airport area. However with the huge harm to our fragile and perhaps tipped-over climate from jet travel, saturating a smog-producing set of bad climate warmers with “greener” travel while the rest of the Toronto region doesn’t get needed transit projects isn’t wise.
I also worry about the speed of it all: mistakes are very readily made, and it takes a batch of time and effort to attempt to understand it all.
stevemunro.ca is a good transit blog site if folks don’t know about it already.
Yes, how short sighted of them. It should all culminate at the lake, because everyone will be sailing to Europe and Asia around the world in the future. Tall ships and wind power, ’tis the future, captain!
I heard Diamond and Schmitt (pardon my French) will be involved.
that’s great Hamish. I have one question though. Like many Torontonians, I’m an immigrant. My parents are coming for Christmas. What’s the best cycle lane to use from Ireland to Toronto?
I’m surprised how low key this Metrolinx initiative is and how little participation from the public there has been. This is THE transit strategy for the GTHA for the next 25 years, is it not? Everyone complains about traffic, the TTC, no bike lanes etc. There is probably less than 30 comments on the online Transit Strategy Document and at least 5 are mine. This is your chance to speak up! I hope to see more participation before the mid-November deadline.