Statement to the Ontario Legislature (May 10, 2004)

(CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY)

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the house today to reinforce our government's commitment to public transit in Ontario. Enhanced public transit is at the heart of our vision for strong and liveable communities.

This government has a plan to ensure that seamless, safe, reliable and affordable public transit systems are available to Ontarians.

Today, Ontario's 65 transit systems together move 680 million passengers each year; GO Transit carries 44 million riders annually; the TTC, Canada's largest transit system, carries 1.15 million passengers daily.

The average car in Toronto carries only 1.16 people — a single GO bus would replace 50 cars and one GO train would replace 1,400 cars.

Only by investing in transit, can we reduce the congestion that slows economic activity and robs Ontarians of quality family time. And investing in transit will improve air quality, conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

A strong public transit system also benefits business and bolsters local, provincial and national economies. Industries want a more effective transit system to support the efficient movement of people and goods.

The strategic investments that this government is making in transit will increase service, increase access and ultimately make transit a more desirable alternative to the private car. Our vision includes:

• expanding existing transit lines, and adding new ones;
• adding more parking spaces at transit stations to get people onto the system as conveniently as possible;
• seamless transportation, so that GO Transit, the TTC, rapid transit and city buses all connect; and,
• the new integrated ticket will mean commuters will be able to travel across the GTA, from one transit system to the next, with one card.

Just last week, the Honourable David Caplan joined me, along with our federal colleagues, and MPPs Bob Delaney and Tim Peterson, in announcing one billion dollars in GO Transit improvements in the Greater Toronto Area.

These 12 projects will have the same impact as building a new Highway 401 through Toronto.

It is worth noting that over the next 30 years, each person who takes GO instead of driving their car will save 3 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions yearly.

Last week Minister Caplan and I, along with MPPs Tony Wong and Mario Racco, announced funding for phase one of York Region's new rapid transit system. We were joined there by the member from Oak Ridges, Frank Klees.

And in March, the province, the City of Toronto and the federal government made history with a one billion dollar funding agreement to keep the TTC in a state of good repair.

This is possible thanks to a new spirit of cooperation between all levels of government.

For the first time in Ontario history, governments are working together to improve public transit.

Mr. Speaker, these transit agreements are an investment in the future. We are investing in a better quality of life by getting people where they need to go faster. In turn, this will help to keep the economy moving by freeing up space on our highways and roads to get our products to markets in the U.S. efficiently.

And we will continue to consider innovative ways to make transit a better, more compelling choice for commuters. And we will ask everyone to do their part — to take public transit whenever possible. Start by leaving the car at home once or twice a week — and take public transit to the movies, out to dinner, or to and from work.

This government is building a better, more reliable transit system.

In connection with our road safety improvements, investments in highways, and action on strategic border crossings, our government is committed to making Ontario's transportation system one of the most efficient and balanced — and best — in the world.

Thank you.