Category Archives: A Grand Plan

Buses vs LRT: “And”, Not “Or”

Posted on September 2, 2010 by Steve

Two interviews on today’s Metro Morning discussed the question of transit for “service workers” and for suburban travellers in general.  The jumping off point for this was a new research paper from the Martin Prosperity Institute and the Cities Centre … Continue reading →

Posted in A Grand Plan, Transit | 2 Comments

Smart Card Wars (Part IV, Updated)

Posted on August 3, 2010 by Steve

The Star reports that the Ontario NDP has asked the Provincial Auditor to review the contract with Accenture for the development of the Presto smart card system.  An explanation of the background for this request is on the NDP’s website, … Continue reading →

Posted in A Grand Plan, Fares & Fare Collection, Transit | 14 Comments

Paying the Piper (3)

Posted on August 2, 2010 by Steve

Recently, I commented on the gathering held by the Toronto City Summit Alliance at which Metrolinx’ President/CEO (soon to be Chair) Rob Prichard posed a series of questions about funding of transit construction and operations. Subsequently, as an attendee, I … Continue reading →

Posted in A Grand Plan, Transit | 9 Comments

TTC Launches Downtown Rapid Transit Expansion Page

Posted on July 30, 2010 by Steve

The TTC now has a page within the Projects section of their website devoted to the Downtown Rapid Transit Study. The study’s purpose is: 1. Assess the need for additional rapid transit capacity to serve the downtown core given the … Continue reading →

Posted in A Grand Plan, Subways, Transit | 45 Comments

Metrolinx Takes Over Airport Link Project

Posted on July 30, 2010 by Steve

On July 30, Metrolinx announced that it will take over the Air Rail Link project — a premium fare service between Union Station and Pearson Airport — from SNC-Lavalin. Metrolinx will build, own and operate the service through its GO … Continue reading →

Posted in A Grand Plan, Beyond 416, GO Transit, Transit | 43 Comments

Metrolinx Musical Chairs

Posted on July 29, 2010 by Steve

On July 28, Queen’s Park announced that Bruce McCuaig, the Deputy Minister of Transportation, would become the next President and CEO of Metrolinx effective September 4, 2010.  Rob Prichard will move from this position to become Chair of the Metrolinx … Continue reading →

Posted in A Grand Plan, Transit | 2 Comments

Smart Card Wars (Part II) (Corrected)

Posted on July 24, 2010 by Steve

Correction added July 24 at 10:45pm: Mark Dowling, in a comment later in this thread, has pointed out that a TTC report last November cited a provincial requirement for participation in Presto as a condition for funding through various programs.  … Continue reading →

Posted in A Grand Plan, Fares & Fare Collection, Finance, Transit | 37 Comments

Smart Card Wars

Posted on July 21, 2010 by Steve

With the election upon us, some candidates have decided that transit Smart Cards are an issue they can use to say “I’m the best candidate” by hitching their star to Ontario’s Presto card program. The Star reports that the TTC … Continue reading →

Posted in A Grand Plan, Beyond 416, Fares & Fare Collection, Finance, GO Transit, Transit | 41 Comments

Paying the Piper (2)

Posted on July 17, 2010 by Steve

On July 12, the Toronto City Summit Alliance (TCSA) held a round table at Wychwood Barns to discuss their recently published paper on transit funding.  Please refer to my first article on this topic for details. The round table added … Continue reading →

Posted in A Grand Plan, Finance, GO Transit, Transit | 19 Comments

Paying the Piper

Posted on July 8, 2010 by Steve

The Toronto City Summit Alliance (TCSA) recently published a discussion paper on transit and transportation infrastructure funding in the GTA.  This document will be discussed at an invitational working group meeting on July 14. There is little new information in this … Continue reading →

Posted in A Grand Plan, Finance, Transit | 9 Comments