Metrolinx: Other Items (catch all)

[Allandale25]

New Chair of Metrolinx.

https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/20...l-executive-to-take-over-metrolinx-board.html

 

[raptor]

If anything, at least it's a sign that Metrolinx is not going anywhere anytime soon

 

[mdrejhon]

GO Transit was created in 1967 under the Conservatives after all.

There's enough room in Metrolinx to be party-agnostic. It's much more arm's length than in 1990s.

 

[smallspy]

GO Transit was created in 1967 under the Conservatives after all.

I'm not sure why you think that is relevant. The Progressive Conservative Party of the 1960s is a very, very different party than the one that exists today.

Dan
Toronto, Ont.

 

[mdrejhon]

I'm not sure why you think that is relevant. The Progressive Conservative Party of the 1960s is a very, very different party than the one that exists today.

While not all that relevant, psychologically, it's worth reminding Conservative voters of this fact.

There are people who complain Metrolinx is a "Liberal slush fund", and have totally forgotten.

There's room in Metrolinx to be improved by all parties.

Debate will ensue on the details, but the people who say Metrolinx should be shut down is just hyperbole.

 

[Andy_in_Toronto]

In that case Metrolinx is here to stay!

 

[rbt]

New Chair of Metrolinx.

https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/20...l-executive-to-take-over-metrolinx-board.html

For those who are curious, Donalds term as chair of ViaRail covered 2006 through 2010.

To see the type of change he might bring to Metrolinx over the next 4 years, we can look at VIA during his time. Do keep in mind that there was both a major recession and significant growth of competition (Porter) during that time period:

https://www.viarail.ca/sites/all/fi...any/annual-reports/2006/VIARail_ar2006_en.pdf
https://www.viarail.ca/sites/all/fi...ompany/annual-reports/2010/via_ar_2010_en.pdf

Interesting numbers are ones like Train Miles (6,665 in 2006, 6,668 in 2010) and number of employees (3,003 in 2006, 2,875 in 2010).

VIA continued along the fiscal restraint path (staff and train reductions) until about 2014; service growth began in 2015 (government change).

 

[jje1000]

Like many others echo- it's good news that it looks like Metrolinx is here to stay (for now). However, I do wonder how the independence of Metrolinx might be affected?

Will it finally be able to offer politically agnostic planning, or will it still be used as a campaign tool? At the same time, I wonder if Metrolinx will be forced to do more with less, or if this marks a move towards a more efficient organization?

The appointment of a figure with such a strong pedigree from the financial sector is in line with the Conservatives’ messaging that they need to tackle what the party has described as “mismanagement” and “waste” at government agencies.

Metrolinx has come under fire for its spending practices in recent years. A 2016 report by the Ontario auditor general found the agency had wasted millions of dollars through inadequate controls on procurement.

Major Metrolinx projects like the installation of the Presto fare card system on the TTC have gone significantly over budget, while the Liberal government’s promise that the Union Pearson Express airport service would break even has fallen flat.

Wright’s appointment comes as Metrolinx is in the midst of overseeing billions of dollars worth of transit expansion projects, including the GO Transit regional express rail program, the Eglinton Crosstown LRT, and proposed light rail lines in Mississauga-Brampton and Hamilton.

Less than two months into their mandate, it remains unclear how the Conservatives intend to reshape the region’s transit plans, but Wright could help guide Metrolinx in a new direction.

Edit- chart from above detailing VIA Rail from 2006-2010:

Doesn't look like much of a change between 2006 and 2010- just holding down the fort so to speak while running costs rose. Interesting though is the large increase in capital expenditures towards the end of Wright's term (car and station rebuilds).

Also interesting is the wording in the Chairman's Letter- strong emphasis on cost savings and efficiency, especially in management (they implemented 'Lean Management' during that term):

In Canada, the Government is investing almost one billion dollars, including $407 million from Canada’ s Economic Action Plan, to improve and expand the capacity of passenger rail. Launched in 2007, VIA’s capital investment program made good progress in 2010. Rebuilt and modernized locomotives and passenger cars came out of the shop and into service. New station projects got underway across the country. Major construction projects to upgrade and expand track capacity are on target for completion.

As these projects progressed in 2010 the corporation renewed its focus on operational efficiency, eliminating waste and delivering the best possible value to customers and taxpayers. The Board believes that this focus goes hand-in-hand with the transformation of passenger rail through capital investment. I am confident that the entire VIA team will continue to achieve operational improvements throughout 2011 and beyond.

 

[nfitz]

Yet still nothing on RER, should be coming soon though

What indication is there that something is coming soon?

Given what we just elected, I'd expect we'd be told to settle for two-way all day rather than RER.

 

[SaugeenJunction]

Yet still nothing on RER, should be coming soon though

I'm sure we will see stuff for the September board meeting. They will have a big schedule, having to cover stuff that the cancelled summer meeting missed. Looking forward to digging through the PDFs.

 

[raptor]

I'm sure we will see stuff for the September board meeting. They will have a big schedule, having to cover stuff that the cancelled summer meeting missed. Looking forward to digging through the PDFs.

if it's not cancelled...

 

[Allandale25]

^ I'll be more assured when the RFP closes. That's a more significant step.

 

[Leo_Chan]

yes

Well, I brought this up and her response was to remind people that real people are behind the Twitter account.

 

[dowlingm]

Maybe someone left. On a different note, it always bugs me when a certain person in the communication department fills their twitter feed with personal life tweets, and feels compelled to comment on any breaking news unrelated to Metrolinx. I get that it's populism, but that certain someone needs to stick to Metrolinx communication only.

The account is her personal account and she puts Metrolinx stuff on it. Her handle does not contain Metrolinx or GO anywhere in it. If you want official, just unfollow her and follow the official Metrolinx and GO accounts, and the same with Brad Ross.

 

[EastYorkTTCFan]

The account is her personal account and she puts Metrolinx stuff on it. Her handle does not contain Metrolinx or GO anywhere in it. If you want official, just unfollow her and follow the official Metrolinx and GO accounts, and the same with Brad Ross.

Brad Ross's account is more of an official account with the TTC, but he does from time to time post personal things on it but they usually relate to things happening in the city or says he will be offline because he's' going on vacation.