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News Release: McGuinty Government Creates Landmark Transportation Agency

McGuinty Government Creates Landmark Transportation Agency

Proposed Legislation Would Benefit Commuters with Coordinated Services and a Single Fare Card

QUEEN'S PARK — The McGuinty government is taking the next step to create the Greater Toronto Transportation Authority (GTTA), which would make commuting easier for people in the GTA and Hamilton, Transportation Minister Harinder Takhar announced today.

"We know that someone who lives in Brampton and works in Toronto wants to get home in time for dinner with the family," said Takhar. "That's why I am introducing legislation later today that lays the foundation for timely and reliable transportation across the region."

Hamilton Mayor Larry Di Ianni, Burlington Mayor Robert MacIsaac, Oakville Mayor Ann Mulvale, Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion, Brampton Mayor Susan Fennell, Halton Regional Chair Joyce Savoline, Peel Regional Chair Emil Kolb, York Regional Chair Bill Fisch, Durham Regional Chair Roger Anderson and Toronto Transit Commission Chair Howard Moscoe joined Minister Takhar in making today's announcement.

If the proposed legislation is passed, the GTTA will:

  • Implement the GTA Fare Card System, which would enable commuters to travel on public transit from Durham Region to Hamilton using a single card;
  • Integrate municipal and regional transit planning, and co-ordinate fares and transit service delivery to improve convenience for commuters;
  • Coordinate the purchase of transit vehicles on behalf of municipalities;
  • Manage GO Transit
  • Develop and submit an annual capital plan and investment strategy.

Subject to passage of the legislation, GTTA - governed by regional municipalities and the Province - could be in operation by September, 2006. An advisory committee of stakeholders representing seniors, students, persons with disabilities and the business community will also be created.

"One of the board's first goals will be to develop an investment plan that is consistent with the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe," said Public Infrastructure Renewal Minister David Caplan. "An estimated 3.7 million more people are coming to this region over the next 25 years. We need a comprehensive, long-term approach to make sure we have better transit and transportation systems in place where we want growth to happen."

"GTTA will bring the province together with municipalities to develop a seamless and integrated transportation plan for road, rail and transit," said Takhar. "GTTA will bring a region-wide approach to transit and transportation planning in the GTA and Hamilton."

The creation of the GTTA is one component of Move Ontario, a new $1.2 billion investment in public transit and municipal roads and bridges that was announced in the 2006 Budget. Quick, reliable and safe transportation is vital to Ontario's economic success and quality of life.

The McGuinty government has taken a number of steps to improve the lives of people in the Greater Toronto Area. In addition to the proposed GTTA, the government has protected 1.8 million acres of land through the Greenbelt, and - through the Greater Golden Horseshoe Growth Plan - will ensure well-planned communities that provide a better quality of life for Ontarians.


Backgrounder

Greater Toronto Transportation Authority (GTTA)

The proposed Greater Toronto Transportation Authority will integrate planning for local transit, GO Transit and major roads, and new transit infrastructure for the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and Hamilton.

Key elements of the GTTA Bill

Subject to the passage of the legislation, GTTA will be governed by municipalities and the province. An advisory committee for stakeholders representing seniors, students, persons with disabilities and the business community will also be created.

GTTA's mandate will include:

  • Responsibility for the GTA Fare Card System, GO Transit and the co-ordination of municipal transit purchases;
  • Development of an integrated transportation plan for local transit, GO Transit and major roads for the GTTA region;
  • Development and submission of a five-year capital and investment strategy;
  • Ensuring that the transportation and capital plans align with the province's Growth Plan objectives for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, Greenbelt objectives, provincial policy statements and municipal official plans.

The framework for GTTA has been developed after extensive consultation with municipalities, transit organizations and other key stakeholders. Public input will be welcome during the legislative process

Examples from Other Jurisdictions

Other jurisdictions have successfully created regional transportation authorities including the Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority, the Regional Transportation Authority of Chicago and the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART).

These authorities set policy and provide leadership from a regional perspective on issues that cross local boundaries and require collaborative solutions. These issues include regional planning, market development, regional growth management and travel forecasting.

GTA Fare Card

The Ontario government has signed an agreement with GO Transit and Greater Toronto Area (GTA) municipalities to implement a new fare card system to serve public transit users across the GTA.

An integrated, seamless transit system offers major benefits for the public and the environment. More convenient transit will get people out of their cars and onto transit, reducing congestion on provincial roads and highways.

Many transit systems are replacing their aging fare collection systems, allowing for a seamless fare card system across the GTA.

The Ministry of Transportation is working with nine transit agencies to implement a GTA fare card system, including:

  • Brampton Transit
  • Burlington Transit
  • Durham Region Transit
  • GO Transit
  • Hamilton Street Railway
  • Mississauga Transit
  • Oakville Transit
  • Toronto Transit Commission
  • York Region Transit

Planning has been completed, business requirements have been developed and the design of the system has been finalized. A competitive search is underway for a vendor who will implement the system. An announcement of the successful vendor will be made in the near future.

Implementation will begin in early 2007 and be fully in place across the GTA, from Hamilton to Oshawa, by 2010.


Backgrounder

Mcguinty Government Investments in Transportation

Move Ontario, Ontario Budget 2006

Move Ontario is a new $1.2 billion investment in public transit and municipal roads and bridges to help move people and goods faster, create jobs and build a stronger economy.

Key projects include:

  • $670 million to Toronto and York Region, towards enabling them to extend the Spadina Subway to the Vaughan Corporate Centre at Highway 7
  • $95 million to the City of Brampton, enabling the City to make dedicated bus lanes available on several streets through the Brampton AcceleRide project
  • $65 million to the City of Mississauga, enabling the City to develop a separate bus right-of-way for the Mississauga Transitway. The Province will also support the Transitway through an additional $25 million investments in GO Transit.
  • $7 million that could be used for the planning study for Phase two of Viva Transit in York Region
  • $1 million for an environmental assessment relating to the future of the Scarborough RT
  • $400 million to municipalities outside the GTA for road and bridge construction and maintenance.

In addition, the McGuinty government has:

  • Invested $1 billion in GO capital expansion, including new GO stations to improve access to GO services (funding partnership with other levels of government)
  • Provided municipalities with $232 million in gas tax funding for 2005/06 to improve service and expand ridership
  • Introduced an integrated fare collection system that will enable commuters to travel on public transit from Durham to Hamilton using a single fare card when implemented
  • Opened Ontario's first-ever High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes on 400 series highways
  • Opened bus bypass shoulders to allow buses to move freely during times of congestio
  • Provided funding to replace, refurbish and expand municipal bus fleets.

Backgrounder

Stakeholders Support Creation of Greater Toronto Transportation Authority (GTTA)

"I welcome today's announcement of the Greater Toronto Transportation Authority. York Region looks forward to working with all partners of the GTTA as we coordinate our efforts and focus on initiatives to address gridlock facing all of our communities." York Regional Chair and CEO Bill Fisch

"I look forward to working with the Minister as the legislation goes through the House. The coordination of transit systems across the regions and cities is an important part of Smart Growth." Durham Regional Chair Roger Anderson

"For Hamilton, the need for a GTTA is paramount for the efficient movement of people and goods. Managing our transportation needs requires planning and collaboration within a fiscally responsible and environmentally sustainable framework. The formation of the GTTA will move us in the right direction." City of Hamilton Mayor Larry Di Ianni

"Establishing a Greater Toronto Transportation Authority is essential for the prosperity of our region. Our balkanized system of governance cannot possibly deliver a world-class transportation system to the citizens of the GTA. Our economy, our environment, and pocket book need a coordinated approach that will allow people real choices about how to get around, and businesses to deliver their products on time." City of Burlington Mayor Robert MacIsaac

"It's good to see the Province moving forward with municipalities to enhance public transit." Town of Oakville Mayor Ann Mulvale

"I welcome the announcement by the Provincial government to create the Greater Toronto Transportation Authority as it will help to co-ordinate the transportation needs of the Greater Toronto Area and determine the needs and priorities on which the allocation of funding is given by the Province." City of Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion

"The GTA as a region is rapidly expanding. Today, more than ever, we need a seamless transportation network to help reduce congestion on our roads." City of Brampton Mayor Susan Fennell

"The efficient movement of goods and people in the GTA is dependent on a successful GTTA. It is critical that our transportation network provide a safe and efficient passage not just for our residents' quality of life and the environment, but for our economy including our trading partners on the other side of the border." Halton Regional Chairman Joyce Savoline

"This is a crucial step toward the development of region-wide transportation solutions. Promoting public transit is an important key to promoting sustainable urban growth." Michael Roschlau, President and CEO of the Canadian Urban Transit Association

"An efficient transit ride is a seamless one between municipalities. OCTA supports the GTTA in growing a strong inter-municipal transportation network that will promote transit, to both the economic and social benefit of the GTA." Ontario Community Transportation Association Executive Director, Beatrice Schmied

"Gridlock in the GTA is preventing the timely and efficient movement of goods and strangling our economy. Any effort to address the traffic congestion crisis should be applauded and we believe that the creation of a Greater Toronto Transportation Authority could be an important step forward. We understand that there will be an opportunity for active private sector participation and we look forward to being involved with this process and working with the new agency to facilitate the movement of both people and goods." David Bradley, President, Ontario Trucking Association

"The creation of a Greater Toronto Transportation Authority - spanning the GTA to Hamilton - is a smart move by the government. The Ontario Chamber has long advocated for a coordinated approach to transportation and land-use planning in order to better move people and goods efficiently through the region." Len Crispino, President and CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce

"The Urban Development Institute/Ontario welcomes the creation of the GTTA. The combination of the Province's budget commitments to transit infrastructure and making good on their pledge to deliver coordinated and seamless transit service in the GTA, sends a clear message that the Province is making progress on easing gridlock while keeping the economy moving forward." Neil Rodgers, President, Urban Development Institute/Ontario

"CAA is encouraged by the Ontario government's announcement outlining the implementation of the GTTA. We support the building of a strong foundation for a balanced transportation network that tackles congestion to improve safety, our environment and quality of life." Kris Barnier, Provincial Affairs Specialist, CAA Ontario


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For further information:
Media Contacts:
     Stephanie Nadalin, Minister's Office, (416) 327-1815;
     Bob Nichols, Communications Branch, (416) 327-1158;
Public Inquiries: (416) 235-4686 (GTA), 1-800-268-4686 toll free, 1-866-471-8929 TTY

See also:

  • Legislative Assembly of Ontario: Bill 104 2006 - An Act to establish the Greater Toronto Transportation Authority and to repeal the GO Transit Act, 2001 (First Reading)