innsertnamehere
Superstar
Given the release of the PC's platform, I figured it was time to make a thread regarding the election do discuss what the various parties promise when it comes to transit in this province.
The PC's platform is posted here. Warning, it is a large PDF:
https://flipbook.brandbits.com/d800699430/inc/pdf/flipbook.pdf
A quick summary of the platform:
- Free Wi-Fi on GO transit
- Subways to be uploaded to the province. The province would assume ownership an maintenance, with the TTC being the operator. They specifically quote the Eglinton Crosstown LRT as the model as to how this would be achieved. It would allow for the leveraging of the asset to further fund more transit, allowing P3 contracts more easily.
- 5 Billion for new subway construction. They mention the DRL, Yonge Line extension, and Sheppard Subway. They state that they will demand a 50/50 match from the feds. Even with a 50/50 match, all of those projects couldn't be funded. Pick two.
- Promise to de-regulate planning and approvals processes for transit projects. It states that the 5+ year design process for a subway project before it can begin construction is unacceptable.
- A key promise to leave existing projects untouched. they explain that too often governments change plans, and it results in nothing getting built. So the Liberals plans will remain, with the PCs adding on top. The specific qoute is:
"Patrick Brown and the Ontario PCs will fulfill the existing commitments to two-way, all day GO train service and complete major transit projects already under construction, including those in Ottawa, Hamilton, and Kitchener-Waterloo."
And
"Toronto Mayor John Tory recently said: “I want to lead an administration with my colleagues that actually gets on with building this instead of endless debates. People are tired of endless debates. They’ve seen endless debates go on and the bottom line of that has been no transit.” Patrick Brown and the Ontario PCs could not agree more."
This is rather confusing as not all of those commitments are under construction already. Actually, by the time the election occurs, only GO RER will be. Ottawa phase 1 and Kitchener phase 1 will both be done.. I presume this is error and that they mean any existing committed projects, given that Hamilton is still several years from construction and it is listed as under construction, especially given the second qoute as their reasoning for this commitment.
- take over the municipal commitment for the Scarborough subway, under the promise that the City then redirect the money to Eglinton East. This is an actual PC promise to build an LRT. Possibly the part that I am most surprised by. Also interesting in that the province would assume 100% control of the SSE project from the city, including construction risk. I'm unsure if this billion in extra funding would come from the $5 billion pot discussed above, or if it is independent.
-Fare harmonization between transit systems, and online purchasing of GO tickets. No details exactly what this means.
- A commitment to make SmartTrack fares a reality, the biggest barrier to Tory's current plan.
- Surprisingly, support for High Speed Rail. They say that the environmental assessment should proceed to move the project forward. No specific capital funding commitment, but they will at least not be cutting the head off the project.
A few thoughts on the platform.
There is a surprising focus on the GTA, the only non GTA project really mentioned is High Speed Rail. I understand that by honouring existing Liberal commitments they cover the rest of the province fairly well (Ottawa & Kitchener phase 2, etc.), but there is still a surprising focus on Toronto.
The sheppard subway weighted equally in potential subway projects scares me. Given it is far behind the Yonge North and DRL projects in design means it likely would not get the limited funding promised, but still. That money would be far better spent on the DRL North.
This is however a far, far better platform than the PCs put forward in 2014. There are a few issues, but not the gaping holes in the 2014 platform.
Anyone else have thoughts?
The PC's platform is posted here. Warning, it is a large PDF:
https://flipbook.brandbits.com/d800699430/inc/pdf/flipbook.pdf
A quick summary of the platform:
- Free Wi-Fi on GO transit
- Subways to be uploaded to the province. The province would assume ownership an maintenance, with the TTC being the operator. They specifically quote the Eglinton Crosstown LRT as the model as to how this would be achieved. It would allow for the leveraging of the asset to further fund more transit, allowing P3 contracts more easily.
- 5 Billion for new subway construction. They mention the DRL, Yonge Line extension, and Sheppard Subway. They state that they will demand a 50/50 match from the feds. Even with a 50/50 match, all of those projects couldn't be funded. Pick two.
- Promise to de-regulate planning and approvals processes for transit projects. It states that the 5+ year design process for a subway project before it can begin construction is unacceptable.
- A key promise to leave existing projects untouched. they explain that too often governments change plans, and it results in nothing getting built. So the Liberals plans will remain, with the PCs adding on top. The specific qoute is:
"Patrick Brown and the Ontario PCs will fulfill the existing commitments to two-way, all day GO train service and complete major transit projects already under construction, including those in Ottawa, Hamilton, and Kitchener-Waterloo."
And
"Toronto Mayor John Tory recently said: “I want to lead an administration with my colleagues that actually gets on with building this instead of endless debates. People are tired of endless debates. They’ve seen endless debates go on and the bottom line of that has been no transit.” Patrick Brown and the Ontario PCs could not agree more."
This is rather confusing as not all of those commitments are under construction already. Actually, by the time the election occurs, only GO RER will be. Ottawa phase 1 and Kitchener phase 1 will both be done.. I presume this is error and that they mean any existing committed projects, given that Hamilton is still several years from construction and it is listed as under construction, especially given the second qoute as their reasoning for this commitment.
- take over the municipal commitment for the Scarborough subway, under the promise that the City then redirect the money to Eglinton East. This is an actual PC promise to build an LRT. Possibly the part that I am most surprised by. Also interesting in that the province would assume 100% control of the SSE project from the city, including construction risk. I'm unsure if this billion in extra funding would come from the $5 billion pot discussed above, or if it is independent.
-Fare harmonization between transit systems, and online purchasing of GO tickets. No details exactly what this means.
- A commitment to make SmartTrack fares a reality, the biggest barrier to Tory's current plan.
- Surprisingly, support for High Speed Rail. They say that the environmental assessment should proceed to move the project forward. No specific capital funding commitment, but they will at least not be cutting the head off the project.
A few thoughts on the platform.
There is a surprising focus on the GTA, the only non GTA project really mentioned is High Speed Rail. I understand that by honouring existing Liberal commitments they cover the rest of the province fairly well (Ottawa & Kitchener phase 2, etc.), but there is still a surprising focus on Toronto.
The sheppard subway weighted equally in potential subway projects scares me. Given it is far behind the Yonge North and DRL projects in design means it likely would not get the limited funding promised, but still. That money would be far better spent on the DRL North.
This is however a far, far better platform than the PCs put forward in 2014. There are a few issues, but not the gaping holes in the 2014 platform.
Anyone else have thoughts?