More Tracks, Trains and Seats for Commuters thanks to Funding Agreement for GO Transit $1.05 billion for GO Commuters MISSISSAUGA, ON, May 7 /CNW/ - The Honourable Joe Volpe, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, the Honourable Albina Guarnieri, Associate Minister of National Defence and Minister of State (Civil Preparedness), the Honourable Harinder Takhar, Ontario Minister of Transportation, the Honourable David Caplan, Ontario Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal and Dr. Gordon Chong, Chair of GO Transit, announced the signing of a contribution agreement to jointly fund 12 construction projects to improve the GO Transit rail and bus transit system in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), resulting in a total investment of $1.05 billion. "This investment is significant for GO passengers," said Minister Volpe. "It is also significant for the Regions of Halton, Peel, Durham and York as well as Toronto and Hamilton - economically, socially and environmentally. This major investment in urban transit is the "New Deal" in action right here in the GTA." "This is great news for commuters in the GTA and Golden Horseshoe. The Ontario government is committed to increasing transit ridership by improving transit efficiency and convenience," said Minister Takhar. "Ontarians will benefit from an investment of over $1 billion for GO Transit service improvements. This transit investment will help us build safe and strong communities that provide a high quality of life." "This funding agreement is a perfect example of what we can accomplish for our community when all levels of government come together," said Minister Guarnieri. Greater Toronto Area commuters will benefit from expansions scheduled for the GO Transit rail and bus system thanks to a contribution agreement between the Governments of Canada and Ontario. The agreement is for 12 projects to proceed that will improve the access, efficiency and capacity of one of Canada's largest transit systems. The three levels of government will work together to expand bus and rail services through station upgrades, construction of storage yards, new tracks to increase capacity, signal modernization, and the construction of overpasses at existing level crossings. The additional services and improved systems will reduce travel time, increase reliability, safety and accessibility for commuters and have a positive long term effect on the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The GO Transit system serves a population of five million people over an 8,000 square kilometre area ranging from Hamilton and Guelph in the west, Barrie to the north and Newcastle to the east. The current system carries over 44 million passengers per year and reached capacity several years ago. Expansion of the system's infrastructure is required to permit the operation of longer, more frequent trains improving service to commuters. "This agreement underlines our commitment to delivering a stronger, safer and more prosperous Ontario," said Minister Caplan. "By investing in public transit we will reduce gridlock, improve our environment, and preserve the quality of life for the people of southern Ontario." "We welcome this joint investment by both senior levels of government," said GO Transit's Chair, Dr. Gordon Chong. "These expansions will give us the capacity we urgently need to handle our ever-increasing ridership as well as the commuting public's demands that we expect in the near future." The GO Transit expansion program is comprised of 12 projects, in six of its seven rail corridors and also includes an expansion of the GO bus system, including: - Union Station improvements; - Improvements on the Lakeshore East and West corridors, Georgetown, Milton, Bradford and Stouffville corridors; and - Expansion of the GO Bus network to serve Peterborough, Cambridge, Niagara Falls and Guelph-Kitchener-Waterloo. The Government of Canada's contribution will come from the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund (CSIF), through which it works with provinces, territories and municipal governments, as well as the private sector, to meet strategic infrastructure needs throughout the country. The CSIF supports large-scale strategic infrastructure projects that improve quality of life and further sustainable growth. The fund will help make Canada a world leader in developing vibrant, creative and prosperous cities and communities. Since 1994, the Government of Canada has contributed $12 billion to over 20,000 infrastructure projects in Canada's communities. This will help leverage over $30 billion from all partners. For more information: www.infrastructure.gc.ca www.mto.gov.on.ca BACKGROUNDER Today the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario and GO Transit finalized the funding agreement for over $1 billion. On March 23, 2003, the Government of Canada announced its support for the expansion of the GO Transit system, with funding from the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund. Since then, Canada and the Province of Ontario have worked together to establish the terms of the contribution agreement. Currently, GO Transit carries approximately 60,000 passengers every morning on its rail system. During rush hours, almost every GO train operates with all seats filled. The new infrastructure will enable GO to accommodate the 78,000 passengers forecast to use the system during peak periods by 2011. The GO Transit Expansion Program will enable a larger proportion of commuters in the GTA to use transit instead of private automobiles. Increased use of transit is key to the future of the GTA, as it will contribute to: - Reduced roadway congestion: The GO system currently carries the equivalent of 48 freeway lanes of traffic during the rush hour. The proposed expansion provides capacity equivalent to 10 additional freeway lanes, and will lead to the reduction of 1.1 million vehicle-kilometers of auto travel every day. - Travel time savings: Expansion is expected to result in travel time savings valued at $252 million per year for passengers using the GO service over the automobile. - Improved public safety: The project will also replace up to seven existing road-rail level crossings with bridges, eliminating the possibility of rail/vehicle collisions at these locations. - Reduced greenhouse gas emissions: Greenhouse gas emissions that will be eliminated over 30 years are expected to be approximately 3 tonnes/passenger annually. - Improved accessibility for mobility-impaired passengers: Five stations will be retrofitted to provide accessibility for mobility- impaired passengers. Four more stations currently accessible will have additional facilities. The new Barrie Station will be built as an accessible facility. The rail lines used by GO Transit that will be improved through this program are also used by VIA Rail, Amtrack, Canadian National Rail (CN) and Canadian Pacific Rail (CPR). These operators will also enjoy benefits and contribute to the economic growth and quality of life of the residents of the GTA. Program Details --------------- The GO Transit Expansion Program is comprised of 12 projects across the GO rail system and an expansion of the GO Bus network. 1. Union Station Improvements to Track, Signal and Pedestrian Infrastructure; 2. Refurbishing of the East Storage Yard; 3. Lakeshore West Corridor - 24 kilometres of New Third Track and modifications to 20 bridges; 4. Lakeshore East Corridor - 12 kilometres of New Third Track, and associated modifications to three stations and five bridges; 5. Georgetown Corridor - West Toronto Diamond Grade Separation; 6. Georgetown Corridor - Road- Rail Grade Separation; 7. Georgetown Corridor - 33 kilometres of additional Track and modifications to 15 bridges; 8. Milton Corridor - New Train Storage Facility and Station Expansion; 9. Bradford Corridor - Snider Diamond Grade Separation; 10. Bradford Corridor - Extension of Service to Barrie; 11. Stouffville Corridor - Hagerman Diamond Grade Separation; and 12. GO Bus Infrastructure: Purchase of buses and construction of commuter park and ride lots in Peterborough, Cambridge, Niagara Falls and Guelph/Kitchener/Waterloo. Schedule -------- The GO Transit Expansion Program is scheduled to be implemented over seven years, beginning in 2004 and ending in 2010. Work in 2004 will primarily involve completion of environmental assessments and designs. Funding Details --------------- The funds to be provided are as follows: 1. Canada - $385 million 2. Ontario - $385 million 3. Municipal Governments - $235 million GO Transit is Canada's first, and Ontario's only, interregional public transit system, established to link Toronto with the surrounding regions of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). It currently carries over 44 million passengers a year on an extensive network of train and bus services that is one of North America's premier transportation systems. For further information: Mary Johnson, Office of Andy Scott, Minister of State (Infrastructure), (613) 952-1684; Danna O'Brien, Office of the Ontario Minister of Transportation, (416) 327-1815; Infrastructure Canada, Communications and Promotion, (613) 948-1148; Edmund Shea, GO Transit, (416) 869-3600 ext 5328; Ross Parry, Office of Minister Caplan, (416) 325-1657; Bob Nicols, Ontario Ministry of Transportation, (416) 327-1158
