Glen Murray, MPP Newsletter - Toronto Transit Edition

Expanding Transit in Toronto

The Government of Ontario is making a historic investment of $8.4 billion to deliver the largest transit expansion in the history of Toronto. This new network will provide Toronto commuters with comfort, convenience and easy connections with subways, light rail transit, buses, streetcars, and GO transit.

1. In order to ensure that Toronto’s transit system remains world class, the Government of Ontario has invested in new subway stations, subway cars, and streetcars to keep Toronto moving.

• Toronto’s entire streetcar fleet will be replaced starting in 2014. $416.3million from Ontario was committed to help improve service and reliability on the King, Queen, and Carlton Street Car lines.
• 78 new Toronto Rocket Subway Cars will improve reliability, accessibility and capacity on the Yonge-University-Spadina subway, backed by $83.7million from the Ontario Government.
• 6 new stations are currently under construction on the Yonge-University-Spadina Subway line, with Ontario contributing $870million to connect downtown Toronto to York Region.
• Toronto receives over $160 million every year in gas tax funding from the Province of Ontario. That’s enough to buy almost 320 new buses every year.

2. The Crosstown will cut travel time significantly and conveniently link to 54 local bus routes, three TTC interchange subway stations and GO Transit. This 19km Light Rail Trail will run through the heart of Toronto and is a key part of transit renewal. The project has a total budget of $4.9 billion along with $320 million – through Metrolinx – for improvements to Kennedy Station to accommodate the Eglinton Crosstown LRT.

3. The Union Person Express is an express trail service connecting Canada’s busiest transportation hubs, Union Station and Pearson International Airport, that will run every 25-minutes. This project has a total budget of $456 million, as of 2010, including $365 million in construction infrastructure and vehicles, and approximately $100 million for service development and business and operations planning.

4. Union Station is currently undergoing an extensive revitalization backed by an investment of $172 millionfrom the Ontario Government. The work done on Union Station will improve station accessibility and capacity to meet the growing passenger volume on our central transit hub.

5. #CycleON is the new Ontario province’s comprehensive 20 year strategy to promote cycling in Ontario as a viable, convenient and affordable mode of transportation. Ontario’s Cycling Strategy was developed through a broad consultation with cycling stakeholders and private individuals.
This plan will promote the following:

• A healthier and active lifestyle
• Tourism
• Environmental and economic benefits for the people of Ontario

To move this plan forward, the Ministry of Transportation will be working with partner Ministries to develop the first action plan. It is expected to be released in the Spring of 2014.

Upcoming Community Events

Event: Meet and Greet with Toronto Centre MP Chrystia Freeland
Date: Saturday February 15th, 2014, 1:00pm-2:30pm
Location: Regent Park Aquatic Centre, 640 Dundas Street East
Details: Join Toronto Centre MP Chrystia Freeland and I for a meet and greet this coming Saturday. I would encourage you to take this opportunity to come meet Chrystia and to discuss some of the issues that are facing Toronto Centre today. Light refreshments will be served and a free public swim is available from 1:30pm-5:00pm. Bring your bathing suit!

Event: Toronto Centre Land Use Planning and Appeals System Review Summit 
Date: Monday March 10th, 2014, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Location: St. Paul's Bloor Street-227 Bloor Street East. Click here for directions.
Details: As a follow up to the four local community consultations that were held in November/December 2013, this summit will bring together residents from every corner of Toronto Centre to review the findings of local consultations and receive and update on this review. More details to follow.

Event: Weekly Free Skate with MPP Glen Murray 
Date: Every Tuesday until March 11th, 2014. 
Location: Moss Park Arena, 140 Sherbourne Street
Details: Come out for a free skate from 4:00pm-5:00pm! Tuesday March 11th will be a special March Break Skating Party with a pizza party. Free skate rental available.