Draft 2041 Regional Transportation Plan Public Roundtable Meetings Summary Report 201ēŌ Published byMetrolinx Executive Summary In the autumn of 2017, Metrolinx released the Dra 2041 Regional Transportation Plan (Dra Plan) for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA). The Dra Plan is a blueprint for what needs to be done to build an integrated, regional, multimodal transportation system that will serve the needs of residents and visitors for the next 25 years. To get feedback from residents on this Dra Plan, Metrolinx hosted a Public Roundtable Meeting in each of the six GTHA regions between October and November 2017. From the feedback received during these meetings, four themes were consistently brought forward. Transit is getting better, but not quickly enough Many participants noted that transit has become more reliable and convenient due to a range of recent service improvements, including PRESTO and the Union Pearson Express. Transit has become especially convenient for those travelling to downtown Toronto. However, participants observed that all parts of the GTHA are growing quickly, and a lack of regional transit connections has led to increased congestion. Travel times have increased for motorists and transit passengers across the region. GO Expansion and more frequent rapid transit are crucial Participants enthusiastically endorsed the proposed Frequent Rapid Transit Network and believe that it is the necessary next step for improving the regional transportation system. Participants are excited about planned 15-minute, two-way, all-day GO service, as well as proposed BRT and Priority Bus service expansion. Increased frequency will improve the efficiency and convenience of using transit. The GTHA needs an integrated fare system with one set of rules Participants strongly support fare integration across the GTHA. Participants stressed that a new, integrated fare system should prioritize simplicity, and ensure that fare rules are consistent across the GTHA. Several participants also wanted to ensure that a new fare system does not disproportionately affect particular communities, including low-income residents in suburban areas. Above all, participants want to ensure that taking transit is always cheaper than driving and parking in downtown Toronto. Metrolinx should pursue service integration and Mobility-as-a-Service Participants are frustrated with the lack of coordination between different transit providers and see this as a barrier to using transit. In particular, routes and schedules should be better coordinated to reduce wait times and walking between transfer points. Mobility-as-a-Service was welcomed as an opportunity to increase service integration across both public and private services, including transit, carshare, bikeshare, and on-demand services. Participants agreed that this service should rely on PRESTO for all payments, which should be expanded to allow payment through a mobile application and contactless credit cards. Draft 2041 Regional Transportation Plan Public Roundtable Meetings Summary Report | 1 Introduction The Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) is one of the fastest growing regions in North America. Its dynamic economy and diverse population attract approximately 110,000 new residents every year and it is predicted that in 25 years—by 2041—more than 10 million people will live here. The region will look and feel very different than the region of today, just as today feels different from the region of 25 years ago. Keeping the region moving will be crucial for residents’ quality of life, the regional economy, and the natural environment. To succeed in a much more complex, interconnected, and challenging environment will require not only new transportation infrastructure, but also new transportation services and new ways of working together. The Dra 2041 Regional Transportation Plan (Dra Plan) for the GTHA is a blueprint for what needs to be done to build an integrated, regional, multimodal transportation system that will serve the needs of residents, businesses, and institutions for the next 25 years. The Vision for 2041 presented in the Dra Plan is that: The GTHA urban region will have a transportation system that supports complete communities by firmly aligning the transportation network with land use. The system will provide travellers with convenient and reliable connections and support a high quality of life, a prosperous and competitive economy, and a protected environment. The goals of the Dra Plan are to achieve strong connections, complete travel experiences, and sustainable communities. Draft 2041 Regional Transportation Plan Public Roundtable Meetings Summary Report | 2 The Conversation In 2006, the provincial government created Metrolinx, an agency responsible for coordinating and integrating all modes of transportation in the GTHA. In 2008, Metrolinx released the first Regional Transportation Plan titled The Big Move, which laid out a vision for transportation and infrastructure priorities over 25 years. These priorities shape how the region develops and the transportation options and services available to residents. Now, Metrolinx is working on a new 25-year plan. Over a two-year period, Metrolinx developed a Dra 2041 Regional Transportation Plan, based on extensive research and input from transportation experts, municipal planning professionals, stakeholders from across the region, and the experiences of GTHA residents. In addition, Metrolinx convened the Residents’ Reference Panel on the Regional Transportation Plan in the Spring of 2017. Thirty-six GTHA residents were randomly selected to learn about regional transportation issues, weigh different priorities, and ultimately make recommendations for the Dra Plan. Earlier this year, the Dra Plan was approved by the Board of Directors for wider public consultation. To get feedback and input from residents on this Dra Plan, Metrolinx hosted a Public Roundtable Meeting in each of the six GTHA regions between October and November 2017: 1. October 5 – Peel Region 4. November 1 – Toronto 2. October 10 – Durham Region 5. November 6 – Hamilton 3. October 16 – Halton Region 6. November 8 – York Region Draft 2041 Regional Transportation Plan Public Roundtable Meetings Summary Report | 3 The purpose of these meetings was to engage in discussions about the Dra Plan and understand residents’ experiences, concerns, and priorities for regional transportation. Metrolinx will consider this feedback as it develops its final Dra Plan to be submitted to the Board of Directors in the winter of 2018. PUBLIC ROUNDTABLE FORMAT Metrolinx used a distinct Public Roundtable format for each two-hour meeting to engage over 200 participants in structured and productive discussions. To maximize time and opportunity for feedback, the Public Roundtable Meetings were divided into three segments: 1. Overview: Participants learned about regional growth and transportation trends, and received an overview of the Dra Plan from senior Metrolinx staff; 2. Discussions: Participants worked through six discussion questions covering a range of topics in approximately one-hour-long facilitated table discussions; and 3. Report-Back and Wrap-Up: Participants shared highlights from each table discussion, asked questions, and provided individual comments. Each Public Roundtable Meeting featured over two hours of lively conversation among a diverse set of residents, stakeholders, elected officials, and policymakers. Discussions captured a wide range of perspectives and topics, enabling participants to first learn about the Dra Plan and then deliver informed feedback and input. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. How has your use of roads, transit, and other transportation services and technologies changed over the last five years? 2. What aspects of the plan do you expect will have the greatest or least impact on you and your family? 3. How would integrating fares across different transit systems affect you? What features would make an integrated fare system most useful to you? 4. How are new transportation technologies and services changing how you travel around the region? How should Metrolinx integrate and support these operations? 5. How would you like to see transit experience improve for users over the next decade? 6. Are there any strategies that you would change or add to the plan? Draft 2041 Regional Transportation Plan Public Roundtable Meetings Summary Report | 4 Discussion Summary The GTHA and Congestion are Growing Residents have made changes in their personal and professional lives to avoid growing congestion problems. “I found a job closer to my home because planning transit connections became so frustrating.” —Durham resident “I moved into a new neighbourhood so that I could be within walking distance of transit.” —York resident Participants observed that the GTHA is growing quickly. More people and jobs than ever are moving to parts of the region outside of Toronto, which has led to increased congestion across the region. Participants in every part of the GTHA reported that travel times have increased for both motorists and transit users. Many participants are changing where they live or work in order to avoid congestion. Several participants have moved closer to a transit hub so that they can rely less on their car. A few participants mentioned that increased traffic around GO stations means that they spend more time looking for parking during rush hour periods. Other participants are changing their regular working hours or are working from home to avoid traffic. Public Transit