Metrolinx to own Transit City
http://www.metrolinx.com/Docs/Agenda...Framework_Repo
NEW PROVINCIAL FRAMEWORK
On June 4, 2009, the Deputy Minister of Transportation issued a framework letter to the City Manager of Toronto and the Chief Administrative Officer of York Region, outlining the bold, collaborative steps necessary to achieve the shared vision of building the regional transit network of the future – starting with the initial five priorities, including the two groundbreakings in fall 2009. Five key principles make up the new framework:
•Metrolinx ownership and control of the new, designated regional transit projects: Ownership through Metrolinx will allow the province to amortize its $10 billion investment over the useful life of the new transit assets in a fiscally responsible manner. Metrolinx will be responsible for approving project scope and budget, and for approving the terms and conditions of owning, constructing, operating and maintaining the new assets, in consultation with Toronto and York partners. The procurement of construction services, transit vehicles and other project capital requirements will also be the responsibility of Metrolinx, working closely with municipal partners.
For the new assets owned by the Province, Metrolinx will be enter into performance-based operating and maintenance agreements with municipalities, their transit agencies and other service providers.
•Provincial commitment to partnerships and cooperation: In the interest of implementation efficiency and speed, Metrolinx will build, wherever possible, on the existing, substantial expertise and resources of Toronto and York in planning, development and other essential pre-construction activities.
•Metrolinx responsibility for project scope, budget and timing: Municipally-requested changes to project scope, and the corresponding impacts on construction costs and schedules, will require Metrolinx Board approval. The Province will direct Metrolinx to adhere to “baseline†project cost eligibility criteria. Toronto and York will be responsible for additional costs that exceed the provincial baseline and Metrolinx-approved scope.
•A customer-focussed approach: Consistent with the Metrolinx “customer first†emphasis and region-wide mandate, implementation of the Presto integrated farecard system – and its future technological evolution – will be a prerequisite for each project.
•Clear project governance: Under the new ownership model, Metrolinx will be expected to develop agreements and governance structures whereby Metrolinx provides oversight for municipal and transit agency implementation teams. This is a viable model for the Sheppard LRT and the first phase of the York Viva projects, where both municipalities’ pre-existing, well-developed implementation momentum and state-of- readiness are largely responsible for the early groundbreaking target in fall 2009.
Infrastructure Ontario will act as the project delivery agent on behalf of Metrolinx on the projects designated by the Province as strong candidates for an Alternative Financing and Procurement (AFP) approach.
The high-potential AFP project list is expected to initially include the Finch LRT, Scarborough Rapid Transit and the second phase of the Viva BRT projects.
Most of all, the new framework emphasizes the importance of collaboration between the Province, Metrolinx, the two municipalities and their transit agencies as the key critical success factor to achieve the urgent project implementation timelines. That intent and spirit are carried over into the detailed consultations now underway with Toronto and York, and led by the CEO of Metrolinx on behalf of the Provincial interest. The consultations are moving forward in an overall collaborative, positive manner.
