Transportation Factsheet

Overview

Whether it’s by car, bicycle, transit or walking, being able to move around easily is an important component of a healthy and dynamic city.

Transportation has been identified as the most important issue by many Torontonians. This is likely because it’s becoming increasingly difficult to travel within and between cities in the region (Greater and Hamilton Area (GTHA)). There are a number of key issues affecting our region’s mobility.

 There has been a lack of transit infrastructure investment (streetcars, subways, light rail) from all levels of government over the past several decades;  Development and growth within the suburbs means increased traffic congestion coming from all areas of the GTHA but there are difficulties in managing regional transportation  Office space is scattered throughout the GTA and much of it is not located close to rapid transit, making commuting by transit difficult. (Think about offices and businesses at the Airport Corporate Centre in – it’s very difficult to get there by transit);  Generally our roads were built to accommodate cars. Cycling is becoming more popular, especially in urban centres like Toronto. However, cities in the GTHA have been slow to adapt and invest in cycling infrastructure;  The suburbs that are throughout the GTA were made for the car, low density making servicing those areas by transit expensive.  Transit affordability has been an ongoing concern for the City and with the recent increase in TTC fares, this is only going to get worse. Currently, every TTC rider pays the same adult, senior, student, or child fare, regardless of their ability to pay.

Politics and transportation are closely connected. Differing public opinions on how and where to invest transit money have made it difficult for politicians to make the difficult but necessary decisions. Only recently has Federal and Provincial funding begun to be provided again for new transit services and system expansion.

Page 1 Key Concepts and Definitions

Transportation Infrastructure Refers to the framework that supports our transportation. This includes roads, railways, cycling lanes, ports and airports. More efficient infrastructure enable better mobility for people and goods as well as a better connection between regions.

Public Transportation, mass or public transit Public transportation includes buses/streetcars/, light rail and rapid transit (metro or subways) services. Public transportation is typically used to ease congestion by providing alternatives to driving to move around the city. Different modes of transportation are integrated together to improve quality of life, attract economic investment, and support environmental sustainability.

SmartTrack SmartTrack was the centrepiece of Mayor ’s election campaign in 2014. It is a proposed Regional Express Rail surface rail line in Toronto aimed at reducing commute times by advancing regional transportation using the existing GO Transit rail network. Council has directed the City of Toronto in partnership with and the TTC to undertake a review of the SmartTrack plan. SmartTrack is proposed to have 22 new station stops and 5 interchanges with the TTC rapid transit network. The estimated completion date is 2021.

Metrolinx Metrolinx is an government agency that implements provincial regional transportation plans for the GTHA, through coordination and integration of all modes of transportation. is the Regional Transportation Plan created by Metrolinx in 2008. Metrolinx works collaboratively with other municipalities across the region to deliver The Big Move. The agency operates GO Transit, Union-Pearson Express, and PRESTO fare payment card.

TTC Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is a public transport agency which operates transit bus, streetcar, paratransit, and rapid transit services in Toronto. TTC is solely the operator of the transit system but are not responsible for building transit networks in Toronto.

Active Transportation Active transportation refers to any mode of transportation that is human-powered such as cycling and walking. Encouraging a healthier lifestyle, more social interaction on the streets, and reducing dependence on driving are some benefits of active transportation. It is usually implemented in conjunction with transit-oriented development, where people are able to walk or cycle to their daily destinations or to a transit station. Municipalities in the GTHA have begun to accommodate active transportation by building integrated streets (sometimes called “complete” or “shared” streets) through providing bike lanes

Page 2 and wider sidewalks. However, some are still heavily opposing the concept of sharing roads with cyclists.

Who Does What?

Federal Government Transportation at the Federal Level is led by the Ministry of Transport. The new Liberal government has promised to triple federal investment in public transit over the next four years, by increasing investment by 6 billion. Funds will be directed to both new construction and for repairs of transit facilities.

Principal Government - Ministry of Transportation  The Minister of Transportation is the Honourable Steven Del Duca. The main goal of the Minister is to make transit and transportation investments that promote economic productivity, enhance quality of life and improve the natural environment — including reducing greenhouse gases.  A key priority identified is building modern infrastructure, transit and a seamless transportation network across Ontario.  The ministry is affiliated with agencies which are independent bodies established by the government but not part of the ministry: Metrolinx and Ontario Highway Transport Board

Ontario is projecting investments of $11.7 billion in 2014–15, with another $11.9 billion planned in 2015–16.

City of Toronto The Transportation Services Division within the City of Toronto is responsible for all aspects of Toronto’s transportation network from streets, bridges, traffic and street signs and traffic signals to sidewalks and street furniture. The division looks after:

 road and sidewalk maintenance;  street cleaning;  permits for on-street parking, construction and street events;  traffic signs and pavement markings;  traffic signals and traffic safety;  construction planning and policies; and  pedestrian and cycling programs.

The 2015-2024 capital budget and plan includes $3 billion in new capital investments for transportation and public transit, facilities and shelter and technology. This included:  $970 million for the rehabilitation of the F.G. Gardiner Expressway;  investments in traffic control (RESCU) and traffic congestion management; and

Page 3  the purchase of 60 new subway cars, 810 new 40-foot diesel buses and 195 low- floor accessible light rail vehicles for the TTC fleet for replacement and ridership growth.

Quick Facts

 Congestion in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) is said to cost Ontario’s economy at least $6 billion per year,3 with one estimate putting the cost at up to $11 billion per year.4  Commutes in Toronto under 5 km are typically faster by bicycle than by car  Toronto leads all cities in Canada for the longest average commute time  27% of Torontonians commute more than 45 minutes travelling to work and/or school one way  The time spent commuting is time lost for studying, sleeping, and spending time with family and friends.  With issues of congestion and a need to integrate transit infrastructure, Toronto is currently undertaking numerous major transit projects. Some of the most recent and ongoing projects designed to mitigate congestion include: The UP Express, Spadina Subway Extension, and the Eglinton Crosstown.

Some Current Transit Projects in the GTA Below is a list of some current transit projects underway throughout the GTA:

Union Station Revitalization  The project is currently under construction and expected to be completed in 2016.  The benefits of the project will include: an expanded GO transit platform and concourse, an increase in the number of exits and entrances, new connections to downtown buildings (PATH), alleviated commuter congestion, and restoration and preservation of the station’s heritage elements.  's revitalization is a $640-million initiative supported by investments of $164 million from the Government of Canada, $172 million from the , and $340 million from the City of Toronto.

Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension  6 station extension to Vaughan Metropolitan Centre  8.6 km of track  Scheduled completion to 2017  Estimated final project cost is 2.6 Billion

Eglinton Crosstown  25 New Stations, 15 underground (from Laird Dr. to Keele St.)  Timeline Completion for 2021

Page 4  $ 9.1 Billion project

Mississauga/Brampton Hurontario-Main LRT Project  North-South LRT running from Port Credit GO Station to Brampton Gateway Terminal at Steeles Ave, projected completion 2020  26 stops, 23 kilometers

Union Pearson Express (UPX)  Express rail which connects downtown Union Station to Pearson International Airport.  There are four stations along the rail line: Union Station, Bloor Station (near Dundas West & Bloor), Weston Station ( West and Weston Road) and Pearson Station, which have connections to GO Transit and TTC streetcar and subway lines  Total duration of the trip from both ends is 25 minutes long, with departures every 15 minutes from Union and Pearson, seven days a week.  UPX began operation in June 2015 and the total cost of the project was reported to be $456 million.

Page 5 Bike Lanes  Toronto has an official Bike Plan to create and expand the cycling network. The plan also has provisions to educate the public about safety.  CAN-BIKE is cycling program which offers a series of courses on all aspects of cycling safely such as: Manoeuvrability, Visibility, Predictability, and Communication.  Bike Share Toronto is Toronto’s bike share system which was launched on May 3, 2011. There are 80 stations throughout the downtown core and users can subscribe to yearly or monthly memberships

Opportunities to Get Involved In 2013, City Planning worked with a variety of groups and organizations, including The Toronto District School Board, the Toronto Catholic District School Board and Metrolinx, to organize the Toronto Student Active Transportation Summit. Download the Summary Report

Feeling Congested was a city wide project that ended in 2014 to engage the public on transportaion issues in Toronto. There were 3 phases and public consultaion materils are being used to draft ploicy amendments to the Offical Plan transporation policies. The initiative is now over but it is an example of how you can become involved and have a voice in the procees of planning for transportation in the city.

The City of Toronto is currently developing a new 10-year plan for growing, connecting and renewing Toronto's cycling network. You can use the Toronto Cycling App to record your cycling routes and contribute the data to the planning of future cycling infrastructure in Toronto.

Cycle Toronto (formerly the Toronto Cyclists Union) is a diverse member-supported organization that advocates for a healthy, safe, cycling-friendly city for all. They work on the local and city-wide level in order the support and encourage cycling across the city.

Page 6 Sources: http://www.thecrosstown.ca/the-project/faq http://www.gotransit.com/public/en/docs/publications/quickfacts/Quick_Facts_Info_to_GO_EN.p df http://www.citynews.ca/2015/09/22/trending-up-express-ridership-dropping-now-only-2500- passengers-a-day/ http://www.apta.com/resources/statistics/Documents/Ridership/2013-q2-ridership-APTA.pdf http://www.brampton.ca/ http://www.ttc.ca http://www.metrolinx.com/en/projectsandprograms/transitexpansionprojects/toronto_lrt.aspx

VIVA real time map http://www.yorkregiontransit.com/en/schedulesmaps/Real-time-map.asp http://www.yrt.ca/en/aboutus/fastfacts.asp

Photo Credits: http://www.thestar.com/news/city_hall/2013/11/13/toronto_nearing_deal_to_save_bixi_bikeshar e_service.html http://torontofinancialdistrict.com/union-pearson-express-reveals-flexible-fare/ http://www.thecrosstown.ca/sites/default/files/images/crosstownroutemaplarge.jpg http://static01.nyt.com/images/2010/10/10/us/10google2/10google2-popup.jpg http://www.futermanpartners.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/TTC-Accidents.jpg http://www.cyclelicio.us/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/bixi-toronto-500x333.jpg

Page 7