A more sustainable transportation future for the Greater Toronto Area
Today the Greater Golden Horseshoe is a place where many trips between places are impractical by transit and/or train. Many services are infrequent, connections are inconvenient, speeds are slow, and the passenger experience, especially in inclement weather, is poor. When you plan a transit trip from where you are now to some random place in the city that trip is likely to be more than 50% longer by transit. There simply aren't enough express services and higher order transit routes in this city so transit is stuck in the local street gridlock that surrounds us.
Imagine the city of Toronto and the surrounding regions in the year 2050, 25 years away, when there are approximately an additional 4.5 new residents calling this area home. How will that region, almost 45% larger in population compared to today, get around Toronto. This plan, the GTA Transit 2050 Plan, is a vision of a system that is ready to meet that calling through a vastly enhanced regional and suburban rail service, and vastly expanded set of urban services anchoring a transportation network supplemented by local transit busses, streetcars, and last mile services such as taxis, ride services, and active transportation such as bikes in bike lanes and pedestrian friendly neighbourhoods.
The key is a mix of fast services over longer distances, suburban services that quickly cross the region, and urban services that do the heavy lifting in urban environments. The key is the GTA Transit 2050 Plan.
A discussion on the future mass transit needs of the Greater Toronto Area and key considerations led to creating a plan that is functional, sustainable, and responsible.
The work to implement parts of this plan are already underway. Here is what comes next to ensure this plan becomes a reality.