On the morning of October 31, 2016, Goodmans LLP hosted and sponsored a sold-out members only breakfast presentation for ULI Toronto members and Metrolinx. The presentation highlighted how Metrolinx is reigniting the conversation around a multi-modal, shared regional vision for transportation in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (“GTHA”).

In 2008, the GTHA adopted its first 25-year multi-modal Regional Transportation Plan (“RTP”), the Big Move. The Big Move was the first regional transportation plan that covered the entire GTHA. It was developed to conform to the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe 2006, which was aligned with the Province of Ontario’s long-term growth plans for the region. As a requirement of the Metrolinx Act, 2006, the RTP must be reviewed at least every 10 years. In August 2016, Metrolinx released a Discussion Paper to support development of the next RTP. The Big Move is currently under review to ensure that the RTP continues to reflect the transportation priorities of the region in its 25-year outlook to 2041.

The event kicked off with introductions made by Richard Joy, Executive Director of ULI Toronto, who highlighted that October 31 was an important date for planning where two important milestones are aligned: (1) the coordinated review of the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, the Greenbelt Plan, the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan, and the Niagara Escarpment Plan. The deadline to provide feedback on the proposed changes was October 31, 2016; (2) the aforementioned Discussion Paper on the RTP. The deadline to provide feedback was also October 31, 2016 – however, it was then noted within the breakfast presentation that the comment period has been extended to November 30.

Opening remarks were provided by Bruce McCuaig, President and CEO of Metrolinx. Highlighting that the theme of the morning would revolve around the discussion of “transforming the way our region moves,” McCuaig introduced the three priorities of Metrolinx:

1. Regional Transformation
2. Plan, Build, Operate
3. Create Connections

The experience of transportation is highly personal, leading to many varying views. McCuaig highlighted the growing interest in the continual investment in the transportation system as the RTP aims to contribute to a high quality of life, sustainable and protected environment, and a strong and prosperous economy.

McCuaig mentioned the great progress that has been made together with Metrolinx, provincial ministries, municipalities, transit agencies, and other stakeholders. Initiatives mentioned by McCuaig that provide opportunity for regional transformation included:

• GO Regional Express Rail
• Eglinton Light Rail Transit line
• UP Express
• Triplinx regional transportation app and the PRESTO smart card

With the unprecedented growth in the GO Transit service and increased demand for rapid transit, McCuaig closed off his remarks by emphasizing the significant economic and community benefits achieved through transit-oriented development. Investment in infrastructure should be leveraged to achieve objectives in land-use planning.

Leslie Woo, Chief Planning Officer at Metrolinx, then led a discussion on the next RTP. The vision for the next RTP will remain mostly the same. Since 2008, much has been learned about the region’s transportation system and how the network is understood. As a result, it’s necessary to  ensure that the RTP is still relevant.

The next RTP must recognize that population growth in the GTHA is not stopping. The GTHA has a projected population growth rate of 49% between 2011 and 2041. The Durham and Halton regions have the highest projected population growth rates at 90% and 93%, respectively. Not only is the population growing, but the population is also aging and transit will need to address this.

The next RTP also has an opportunity to capture the “rush hour.” While municipalities such as Mississauga are expanding and improving transit systems, there continues to be a service gap between municipalities and regions.

Woo then introduced the RTP review. Currently in the Phase 1 stage, the Discussion Paper has considered the impact of investments; trends, needs and opportunities; emerging issues and plan update; and updated vision/goals of the RTP. The input received for the Discussion Paper will be consolidated to inform the development of the next RTP. A draft updated RTP is planned for public consultations and comment in mid-2017, with the final RTP to be completed at the end of 2017.

A focus of the next RTP will be for more integration, including:

• Expansion of the grid of frequent transit networks
• Transportation system management
• Service integration
• Emerging transit services
• Selective expansion of rapid transit network

Woo stated that a culture shift is required to rethink whether the car is the only option. She recognizes that there is no one solution for all of GTHA’s transit issues. There are, and will be, different transit solutions for different GTHA markets, all varying depending on their transit mode share and growth. To highlight a few transit solutions, Woo introduced a matrix for fare and service integration in transit solutions:

• Emerging: In a market of high growth and low transit mode share, the transit solutions may involve more frequent and rapid services, more transit connections, and transit pricing.
• Urban and Growing: In a market of high growth and high transit mode share, the transit solutions may involve an increase in capacity of existing services, more rapid and higher order transit, and a stronger frequent transit network.
• Urban & Stable: In a market of low growth and high transit mode share, the transit solutions may involve transit priority measures such as reserved lanes on arterial roads, queue jump lanes, or HOV lanes on freeways).
• Stable & Suburban: In a market of low growth and low transit mode share, the transit solutions may involve demand-responsive transit such as ride-sharing applications and basic transit services that provide connectivity to key nodes.

The key to success for the next RTP will be to reconcile conflicting policies and to integrate land-use planning with transportation planning. In her closing remarks, Woo reiterated that the next RTP will maximize the opportunities for new and improved mobility within the region as it analyzes key services and proposes ways to screen investments and leads a discussion on how to ensure that the region seizes upon these opportunities and mitigates impacts.

The presentation highlighted the opportunities to connect and align the GTHA’s transportation system, while also maximizing the current investment and planning strategies for the future of new mobility. It is important that the next RTP is coordinated and integrated across all networks in order to address the challenges that residents face.

A key discussion brought up during the Q&A period was the awareness of how land-use planning initiatives and transportation planning will correspond. Woo and McCuaig reiterated that it is a continuing and growing relationship between the Growth Secretariat and Metrolinx.

Transportation continues to be one of the main issues of residents today, whether part of an urban or suburban community. The conversation is one that is long-term, multi-faceted, and highly interdependent. Metrolinx aims to achieve the mission of better integration as it puts considerable efforts in driving its agenda forward.

For the full Discussion Paper and background technical documents, please go to: www.metrolinx.com/theplan

For focused content for the public, to comment online and to see what others are saying, please go to: www.metrolinxengage.com. The comment period has been extended until November 30, 2016.

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