Category Archives: Beyond 416

Service Changes Effective June 23, 2013

Major service changes for June 23, 2013 include: Service removal or rerouting for several York Region contract operations by the TTC.  These were proposed as part of YRT’s 2013 Service Plan.  (Specific changes for Vaughan and for Markham.) Seasonal changes … Continue reading

Posted in Service Cost and Quality, Transit, York Region | Leave a comment

Sabre Rattling in Halton?

Earlier this week, Tess Kalinowski reported in The Star that Halton Region, a fast-growing region west of Toronto, would simply stop approving new developments without more provincial support for transit and other services.  Chair Gary Carr wants to see funding … Continue reading

Posted in A Grand Plan, Beyond 416, GO Transit, Transit | 13 Comments

The Metrolinx “Big Conversation”: What are The People Saying?

Through early 2013, Metrolinx conducted roundtables across the GTHA to sound out interested citizens on the transportation plan, “The Big Move”, and on possible ways that this might be funded.  A summary report consolidating the input from each area makes … Continue reading

Posted in A Grand Plan, Beyond 416, Finance, GO Transit, Transit | 18 Comments

Metrolinx Reveals Preferred Revenue Tools, But Says Little About Investment

On April 2, 2013, Metrolinx released a list of the preferred “revenue tools” in its forthcoming “Investment Strategy”. Public consultation until today featured a longer list, and several of the options fell off of the table thanks to public and … Continue reading

Posted in A Grand Plan, Beyond 416, Fares & Fare Collection, Finance, GO Transit, Hamilton, Transit | 35 Comments

What Should Be In The Metrolinx Investment Strategy?

With much talk about “new revenue tools” and debates over the least objectionable way to extract $2-billion or more from taxpayers in southern Ontario, the actual purpose of the Metrolinx “Investment Strategy” has faded into the background.  Somehow the act … Continue reading

Posted in A Grand Plan, Beyond 416, Finance, GO Transit, Transit | 32 Comments

A Chat With Minister Murray

Glen Murray has only been sitting in his new office as Minister of Transportation and Minister of Infrastructure for Ontario for about 2½ weeks, but already his comments in the mainstream media (Globe Star) and on Twitter (@Glen4ONT) show that … Continue reading

Posted in A Grand Plan, Beyond 416, Finance, Transit, Waterfront | 25 Comments

Feeling Congested: Does Toronto Suffer From “The Moscow Syndrome”? (Updated)

The City of Toronto’s consultations about transportation plans and financing continued on the evening of March 4, 2013, with a panel discussion at the St. Lawrence Centre.  The 500-seat Jane Mallett Theatre was packed for the event, and had been … Continue reading

Posted in A Grand Plan, Beyond 416, Finance, Transit | 64 Comments

Metrolinx Meeting Preview: February 14, 2013 (Update 2)

The Metrolinx Board meets on February 14 with an agenda that, as usual, features a rather long private session followed by a shorter public one.  There will be brief updates on GO Transit and the PRESTO farecard project, a Customer … Continue reading

Posted in A Grand Plan, Beyond 416, GO Transit, Transit | 80 Comments

Metrolinx Math

In a recent comment, a reader questioned the disparity between the $34-billion cost of the Metrolinx “Next Wave” projects and the sum of the individual projects listed on the website.  These projects are: Brampton-Queen BRT $ 600 million Dundas BRT … Continue reading

Posted in A Grand Plan, Beyond 416, Finance, GO Transit, Transit | 17 Comments

New Premier, New Policies? (Updated)

Updated February 2, 2013 at 12:30 am:  The costing for Next Wave projects has been corrected to reflect that spending for local projects and roads is included in the total of $34-billion rather than as an additional cost on top … Continue reading

Posted in A Grand Plan, Beyond 416, Finance, GO Transit, Transit | 40 Comments