We want to know how congestion affects you. Let us know what you think we should do about it, and how we should pay to invest in transit expansion. Please take the time to review the presentation and fill in the survey. We will include all responses received before November 26, 2013, in our report to the government.
2. The Panel Mandate
• The Panel will advise the Province on how to
respond to the Metrolinx Investment Strategy
• Engage the public about:
– The plan
– The need for investment
– The right course of action.
• Recommend specific revenue and
funding tools in December 2013
3. Our Approach
• To challenge misconceptions and establish criteria
and options, the panel prepared three discussion
papers to guide public consultations:
1. Hard Truths About Transit – Presents six hard truths to
form the basis of the Panel’s consultations.
2. The Transit We Need – Establishes criteria for project
selection and prioritization, and improved accountability.
3. Paying for Transit: Considering the Options – Discusses
specific ways to pay for transit expansion.
4. Six Hard Truths About Transit
1. Subways are not the only good form of transit:
– Must match right transit mode and technology to route.
2. Transit does not automatically drive development:
– Transit lines must connect with current and anticipated jobs.
3. The cost of building transit is not the main expense:
– Operating and maintenance costs
are a major portion of total
lifecycle cost.
5. Six Hard Truths About Transit
4. Transit riders are not the only beneficiaries of new transit
infrastructure:
– Everyone benefits – drivers, businesses, others.
5. Transit expansion in the GTHA is not at a standstill:
– The largest transit investment in Ontario history is under way now .
6. Funds cannot be found by
simply cutting waste in
government:
– New sources of revenue are
needed to deliver world class
transit in the GTHA.
$16 billion worth of transit
projects are being
designed and built today.
6. The Transit We Need
• The criteria for project selection and prioritization is that
projects must be:
– Aligned with current and anticipated jobs
– Coordinated with location of community and public
institutions
– Geared to create an integrated network supporting all modes
– Planned to use appropriate mode and technology
– Implemented on practical timelines
7. The Transit We Need (2)
• Better governance and accountability is vital:
– New revenue must be dedicated to transit projects
– Decisions must be based on lifecycle costs of projects
– Greater partnership must be forged between all levels
of governments
– There should be municipal
representation on the
Metrolinx Board
9. Paying for Transit: Considering the
Options
• Projects and revenue tools can be phased in together.
• All levels of government should invest
• Federal participation:
– Canada is the only G7 country without a dedicated federal funding
program for transit
– One-off commitments should be replaced by dedicated funding
– Federal contributions needed for capital and long-term operating
and maintenance
• Success depends on support from all sectors.
10. Next Steps and Closing Remarks
• Please leave your completed workbooks and
comment cards on the table.
• Feel free to complete the online questionnaire
on www.transitpanel.ca/have-your-say
• Email your ideas to transit@transitpanel.ca
