More Transit Southern Ontario

MTSO’s Co-Executive Directors, Haadhi Faizal and Jonathan Lee How Cheong, met today with Peter Paz, Director of Local Government and Community Partnerships, and Elizabeth Young from Train à grande fréquence - High Frequency Rail. Our discussions focused on the importance of community consultation and engagement in shaping the project. More Transit Southern Ontario is contributing valuable insights from transit advocates across the province to support VIA-HFR in advancing this critical high-speed rail project that will connect the Quebec City-Toronto Corridor.

There is an insane amount of density proposed next to a singular BRT line and subway station in Vaughan. Meanwhile stations along the Bloor-Danforth subway and major transit nodes such as Bloor-Dundas West station remain zoned primarily for low density housing and see little development. The large amount of proposals exist because Vaughan is embracing high densities as part of its Vaughan Metropolitan Centre plan. Ontario, and Toronto in particular needs to allow dense housing near major transit hubs similar to recent changes implemented by the British Columbia provincial government. We were extremely disappointed to find out that both the provincial government and Toronto's Planning and Housing Committee decided against implementing similar reforms to British Columbia in 2024. These reforms set minimum densities within 800 metres of rapid transit stations. Allowing density near transit stations is an excellent way to improve transit, fight climate change, reduce traffic and build healthier communities.

Lines 2 & 4 of the O-Train network in Ottawa are officially OPEN! 🎉 They will operate Monday to Friday but will expand service to six and then seven days a week in the following weeks. Learn more about the upcoming stages & a quick rundown of the project here.

London is taking comments for their Mobility Master Plan until January 31st. If you’re from London and want to get involved with transit advocacy in the city, please let us know. Submit your comments online or join one of the in-person sessions: https://lnkd.in/gzcwF2m5

MTSO is having a Volunteer Meeting on Discord at 7pm tomorrow on Tuesday. The main items on the agenda will include the SmartTrack video being planned and progress on our More GO Buses campaign. Additional items will be added to the agenda as it goes on. Not a volunteer or you wish to become a volunteer? Join anyways as we’ll be looking for your comments!

Do you remember SmartTrack? 🚆 Comment down below with your thoughts, memories and comments as MTSO wants to create an explanatory video on the Toronto rail project. If you are interested in helping with this project (editing, filming, research, etc), email us at moretransitso@gmail.com or join us on Discord to become a volunteer! Please share with those who would be interested in helping/contributing comments!

Autumn Cheon, a volunteer with More Transit Southern Ontario, takes the floor at the Region of Waterloo Regional Council Chambers in Kitchener. Autumn passionately advocates against proposed cuts to Grand River Transit (GRT) services and calls for full funding of the GRT Business Plan. Autumn emphasizes the importance of reliable, accessible public transportation for residents across the region as a student at the University of Waterloo, and highlights the role GRT plays in connecting neighbourhoods. With cuts potentially affecting many riders, particularly those who rely on transit, Autumn asks the Council how will they go through with their business plan if they cannot fund basic essentials like garbage cans? Video has been edited for brevity. https://lnkd.in/dqA_Ebey

Exciting Progress on the Northlander! Ontario Northland was pleased to unveil the exterior design of the future Northlander trainsets today, alongside @Minister Sarkaria, @George Pirie and @Mitch Dumas. We also shared the award of a contract to complete platform reconstruction and installation of pre-manufactured shelters at train stops along the future Northlander corridor, marking another milestone in reinstating the Northlander passenger rail service. Details: https://lnkd.in/gCZG7vS7 — Des progrès remarquables concernant le Northlander! Ontario Northland a eu le plaisir de dévoiler aujourd’hui l’apparence extérieure des futures rames du Northlander, en compagnie du @ministre Sarkaria, de @George Pirie et de @Mitch Dumas. Nous avons également fait part de l’attribution d’un contrat pour la reconstruction des quais et l’installation d’abris préfabriqués aux arrêts le long du futur corridor du Northlander, marquant ainsi une nouvelle étape dans le rétablissement du service de transport ferroviaire de passagers Northlander. Détails: https://lnkd.in/gFKFKwB3

New greenfield developments in Ontario tend to be suburban sprawl that does not consider transit. However, the Dutch city of Almere shows that new developments do not need to be this way. Given a blank slate to build a city in the 1980s, Almere has built its city around 8 Bus Rapid Transit lines, despite only having a population of 220,000 today. Additionally, buses in Almere almost never stop at red lights. Our latest article gives an overview of Almere's bus network, and goes in depth into the smart infrastructure and planning decisions that make this bus network special.

Metrolinx CEO Phil Verster has resigned after seven years at the helm of the transit agency and will be taking a new role in the rail industry outside Canada. Under Verster’s leadership and the Ford government, Metrolinx’s responsibilities expanded to include transportation planning and oversight of GO Transit, as well as the construction of subway and light rail projects across Ontario. However, Verster faced significant criticism over repeated delays, legal disputes, and complications with Metrolinx-led projects, including the long-delayed Eglinton Crosstown LRT. Michael Lindsay, currently the President and CEO of Infrastructure Ontario, will serve as the interim President and CEO of Metrolinx, effective December 16, 2024. Among Lindsay’s priorities will be advancing the completion of the Eglinton Crosstown. The Metrolinx Board of Directors will soon begin the search for a permanent CEO. The province has also announced plans to appoint an interim leader for Infrastructure Ontario.