No. H 030/08
For release - February 4, 2008
OSHAWA, ONTARIO — The Government of Canada today formalized its $2.5 million contribution to the Regional Municipality of Durham for the development of a long-term transit strategy.
During a ceremony at the Durham Region transit depot, the Honourable Jim Flaherty, MP for Whitby-Oshawa and Minister of Finance, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, and Roger Anderson, Chair of the Regional Municipality of Durham, signed the federal contribution agreement.
"Durham Region is about to enter a new era in public transit as it determines modern transportation alternatives for individuals and families in communities like Whitby, Oshawa and Brooklin," said Minister Flaherty. "Congestion has been getting progressively worse in and around Durham Region and the Government of Canada is working with the region to ease traffic congestion, strengthen the economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions."
"Durham Region Transit carries 7.5 million passengers per year. This figure is expected to increase following implementation of the BRT study and other supporting transit improvements. The study will identify the BRT network of transit services across the region, with the goal of providing fast and reliable transit options between the major growth centres. This is a network designed to compete with the use of private vehicles, reduce delays with faster, more convenient trips, reduce congestion and impact the environment and economic growth in a positive way," said Mr. Anderson.
Key elements of the long-term transit strategy will include:
reviewing best practices in similar-sized jurisdictions in Canada and internationally;
developing a multi-modal transit ridership and traffic forecasting model for Durham region;
developing alternative transit network strategies, including rapid transit technology options and improved linkages with other transit networks in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), and completing a cost-benefit analysis of each alternative;
undertaking a consultation process with residents and stakeholders in the region;
preparing transit and transportation demand management (TDM) supportive land use guidelines that support sustainable development and transportation patterns; and
developing a recommended transit network strategy and an implementation plan.
"Improving public transit is a priority for the Government of Canada," said Minister Cannon. "Investments such as this one will help the region determine which transit system will contribute to economic growth and improve the quality of life of residents in one of the fastest growing areas of Canada."
Durham Region's long-term transportation strategy is part of the Government of Canada's transportation action plan for the GTA, called "FLOW." This nearly $1 billion initiative will help keep people, traffic and goods moving in the largest metropolitan area in Canada.
FLOW also includes the extension of Toronto's Spadina subway line, rapid transit projects in Mississauga, Brampton and York region, the widening of Highway 7 in Durham region, the extension of Highway 404 north beyond Newmarket and the extension of Highway 407 east to Highway 35/115.
As federal funding is reimbursement-based, funds will be transferred once the agreement is signed, eligible costs have been incurred and all federal requirements have been satisfied.
Backgrounders with further information on FLOW are attached.
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Contacts:
Karine White
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Media Relations
Communications
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
Ted Galinis
General Manager, Durham Region Transit
905-668-4113, ext. 2112
e-mail: ted.galinis@region.durham.on.ca
Sherri Munns-Audet
Director, Corporate Communications
Regional Municipality of Durham
905-668-7711, ext. 2068
e-mail:
sherri.munns-audet@region.durham.on.ca
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at www.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada.
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BACKGROUNDER
FLOW
FLOW, the Government of Canada's transportation action plan for the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), is designed to reduce congestion, cut commute times, help clear the air and help drive the economy in the GTA.
It consists of key transportation infrastructure projects that are being funded and built in the short to medium term. In most cases, the projects are being cost-shared by the three levels of government — federal, provincial and municipal.
The projects were selected following consultations with the Province of Ontario, mayors in the GTA, regional chairs, municipal councillors and various community groups.
This plan was developed to help enhance the quality of life for residents and help businesses increase efficiency by keeping people, traffic and goods FLOWing in the largest metropolitan area in Canada.
The FLOW transit infrastructure projects include the following:
Brampton AcceleRide
This project involves the construction of a bus rapid transit system along Brampton's key transportation corridors to link the downtown to the north and west areas of the city, as well as to the City of Mississauga and the Regional Municipality of York.
The Government of Canada has committed up to $95 million, while the Province of Ontario has already provided $95 million. The City of Brampton will be responsible for the remainder of the project costs.
The project will be constructed in two phases, with the first expected to be completed by 2010 and ultimate completion anticipated in 2021.
Mississauga Transitway
The project involves the construction of an east-west dedicated bus right-of-way across the City of Mississauga between Winston Churchill Boulevard and Renforth Drive. This project will improve local and inter-regional bus operations across the City of Mississauga. A total of 11 stations will be constructed along the route.
The Government of Canada has committed up to $83 million to the project. The Province of Ontario has provided the City of Mississauga with $63 million to support the project and has committed to providing an additional $25 million to GO Transit. The City of Mississauga and GO Transit will be responsible for the remainder of the project costs.
The project is expected to be complete by 2012.
Toronto-York Subway
The existing Spadina subway line will be extended by 8.6 kilometres through York University to the Vaughan Corporate Centre.
The Government of Canada is committing up to $697 million towards the eligible project costs. The Province of Ontario has already provided $870 million to a trust for this project. The City of Toronto and Regional Municipality of York previously committed their contributions and will be responsible for the remainder of the project costs.
Federal funding commitments to this project are conditional upon the completion of a due diligence review, the negotiation of a contribution agreement and the proponent's adherence to conditions put forth by the federal Minister of Finance and the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.
Along with funding from all three levels of government, the City of Toronto and the Regional Municipality of York will be exploring opportunities for alternative financing and procurement, such as public-private partnerships.
The project is expected to be complete by 2015.
York Region VIVA Phase 2, Part 1
The VIVA rapid transit system will be enhanced through the construction of dedicated bus rapid transit systems along Yonge Street, from the Finch subway station to the Richmond Hill Centre, and along Highway 7, from the Markham Centre to Yonge Street.
The Government of Canada is committing up to $85 million towards eligible project costs.
Federal funding commitments to this project are conditional upon a matching financial contribution by the Province of Ontario, the completion of a due diligence review, the negotiation of a contribution agreement and the proponent's adherence to conditions put forth by the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.
The project is expected to be complete by 2010.
Durham Region Rapid Transit Project
Funding will be provided to the Regional Municipality of Durham to help it further refine its transit service strategy and bus rapid transit implementation plans. This will include demonstrating how best to support anticipated urban growth, assess transit options and their integration with other services, develop detailed ridership projections and conduct cost-benefit analyses.
The Government of Canada is committing up to $2.5 million and the Province of Ontario is also committing up to $2.5 million.
This rapid transit project is expected to start this year.
Other Projects
FLOW also includes three highway projects for which the Province of Ontario is responsible for determining the appropriate financing and delivery.
These projects include:
the extension of Highway 407 east to Highway 35/115;
the widening of Highway 7 in Durham region; and
the extension of Highway 404.
As federal funding is reimbursement-based, the contribution agreement sets out the conditions and requirements. Once the agreement is signed, construction begins, costs have incurred and all federal requirements have been satisfied, funds are transferred.
February 2008
BACKGROUNDER
Durham Region Transit (DRT) is an integrated transit system serving 7.5 million passengers annually in eight municipalities. Following amalgamation in January 2006, the 2,590 km2 service area was divided into the west (Ajax, Pickering), centre (Whitby), east (Oshawa, Clarington) and north (Brock, Scugog, Uxbridge) service sectors. The DRT's Specialized Services provides transit for 3,000 clients with mobility challenges.
DRT operates 62 routes and high school specials, and integrates additional service with GO Bus along the Highway 2, Highway 12 and Highway 407 corridors with a "one fare anywhere" agreement. Customers travelling within Durham region can transfer quickly and easily from DRT to GO Bus at no additional cost. Customers may also reduce the cost of their commute with co-fare when travelling on DRT buses to or from local GO train stations.
Over 70 per cent of the conventional fleet is environmentally friendly, air conditioned and accessible. The accessible features allow DRT to designate more accessible routes and offer transit options for persons with wheelchairs.
In 2008, DRT celebrated its 15 millionth passenger milestone. DRT measures success not just by growth in ridership and customer satisfaction but also in reduced traffic congestion and improved air quality.
For more DRT information, visit www.durhamregiontransit.com or call 1-866-247-0055.
