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Halton to consider regional transit system Correcion A w m a , LL By Tim Foran METROLAND WEST MEDIA GROUP An amalgamated transit system possibly serving Halton's four communities of Milton, Burlington, Oakville and Halton Hills will be stud- ied by Regional staff. Halton's council has direct- ed the works department to consider including an inte- grated regional transit system into the multi-billion-dollar master plan it's developing for transportation projects over the next two decades. Staff hope to complete the master plan, dubbed the Road to Change, by the end of the year. A public information centre is scheduled for late March. Currently, transit service in Halton is handled at the Ocal municipal level, with Milton, Burlington and Oakville all operating separate transit sys- tems. Halton Hills doesn't have a conventional transit system, but Regional planning docu- ments envision the town could have a small six-bus sys- tem by 2031 to service the Will Haltons logo grace local transit buses in the future? Regional council has dîrected Halton staff to inves- tigate a regional transit initiative. approximately 25,000 extra people coming to Acton, Georgetown and area hamlets between 2015 and 2031. In the past decade, both York and Durham regions have created regional transit bodies, taking over the bus services offered by their local municipalities. "I've been an advocate for looking at this (regional tran- sit system) for some period of time," John Taylor, vice-chair of councils planning and pub- lic works committee and a Burlington regional council- lor, said in an interview. "Milton bas a fledgling sys- tem, Burlington and Oakville have more sophisticated sys- tems. Can we find a way to find efficiencies? I think we should have the facts in front of us." Taylor said a Halton regional transit system would be an intermediate step. The ultimate aim should be a seamless, GTA-wide transit system similar to what's avait- able in Vancouver and its sub- urbs, he said. Taylor's Oakville colleague, Allan Elgar, was more circum- spect of a regional transit ini- tiative in regard to the cost. "Who's going to pay?" asked Elgar in an interview. "I don't believe Oakville is inter- ested in subsidizing Halton Hills and Milton in this initia- tive." Elgar was referring to a point raised often by Oakville's regional council members, that residents and businesses in their town - due to the higher assessment value of their properties - pay about 42 per cent of the property taxes that end up at the Region though Oakville's population is only 37 per cent of Halton's total. Elgar said Oakville Transit has also moved to a grid-based transit system designed for people to get around the town, while Burliigton's and Milton's transit agencies still operate radial systems focused on getting commuters to GO stations. Taylor responded to Elgar's concerns by suggesting a regional transit system could operate like Haltons waste collection division, with local municipalities determining the service levels they desire and paying the Region accordingly A public information centre for the Regions trans- portation master plan will be held Tues., March 30 at the Milton Sports Centre (Banquet Room), 605 Santa Maria Blvd. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. followed by a presentation at 7 p.m. incorrectly identified in a photo in Thursday's Champion. Holding the model of the Ford Model C was Linda Twitchell, curator of Halton Region Museum. The Champion regrets the error and apologizes for any inconvenience it may have caused. Spring Comes Early on the Sunshine Express! Daytona Beach, Florida Travel by express motorcoach to Daytona Beach and stay at DeNure Tours' own Nautilus Inn. Choose a room overlooking the ocean or enjoy a view down the beach. All rooms have a private balcony and offer full or partial kitchen facilities. Weekly Departures! 10 day trips, departing April 24th $789 pp twin 17 day trips, departing April 24th $1,439 pp twin Includes: coach travel, ocean-front efficiency accommodation, deluxe continental breakfast and afternoon cocktail hour daily, activity program with transportation to shopping, restaurants and attractions, and all taxes. Cali for more information! 1-8 6-967-9910 71 Mourt Hop. St. Lmdsay ON denuretours.com Reg.rsO 50O s6 cr 5.37 . Other departure dates, longer stays, and single rates are also available. Call for rates.