5 | Friday October 20, 2017 | OAKVILLE BEAVER |www.insidehalton.com Metrolinx 25-year GTHA transportation plan gets a `B' by Kathy Yanchus Metroland West Media Metrolinx gets a "respectful B" for its new Greater Toronto Hamilton Area (GTHA) regional transportation plan, as graded by the small group at a roundtable discussion at Halton Regional Centre Monday, Oct. 16. The 208-page Draft 2041 Regional Plan calls for deep investment in infrastructure to support a seamless, convenient, predictable and reliable regional transportation network. This is to accommodate the predicted explosive population and employment growth in the GTHA over the next 25 years. "We are an incredibly large region with over 8,400 square kilometres, six regional municipalities and within them, 30 local municipalities," said Peter Paz, Metrolinx manager for regional partnerships. On Monday night, Paz was joined by Greg Percy, Metrolinx COO and discussion facilitator, as well as Peter MacLeod, principal of MASS LBP, a company that facilitates citizen discussion for public sector organizations. "We have communities that are urban, we have communities that are suburban and we have communities that are rural. Halton is an incredibly perfect example of a microcosm of the region as a whole because it has all three," said Paz. The GTHA is anticipating 110,000 new residents per year over the next 25 years, with a lot of that growth in Halton, said Paz, adding, "Things are changing so fast." The Draft 2041 plan "builds on" The Big Move document released in 2008, and calls for better use of the GO rail network through a regional express rail to be "the backbone of integrated regional rapid transit network with frequent two-way, all-day service." It also calls for rapid bus transit, light rail transit, integration of fares and services, alternative modes of transport for commuters to and from stations, as well as dXh M E T R O L IN X optimization of the current system, which would include 1,000 kms of HOV lanes on all 400-series highways, the Gardiner Expressway and the Don Valley Parkway; "This will not only encourage use of high occupancy, but creates regionally important corridors for regional express bus service," said Paz. The plan would transform GO rail into an all-day, two-way electrified service; increase the length of frequent rapid transit routes by more than 20 times; increase by triple the number of residents and by double the number of jobs within walking distance of frequent rapid transit. It will also introduce a new regional cycling network. The idea is to move people, not cars, said Paz, adding it' s impossible to build enough parking to match the growing number of drivers using the system. "We want to try to find different solutions to reduce parking demand and increase the alternative." All stakeholder feedback, from roundtable discussions throughout the region or online, will be reviewed and analyzed, said MacLeod. The document' s authors are looking for challenges from stakeholders, constructive feedback both for and against because both are valid, said Percy To make the plan happen needs regional cooperation in decision-making and sustainable funding, said Paz. "I think we are taking some comfort in that all of the major political parties, whether federal or provincial, are recognizing transit is important," said Percy Those in attendance spoke of accelerated transit inter connectedness, revitalized stations, across-the-region fares, innovative fare pricing, personalized real-time data, and full service offerings at GO stations, among other recommendations. The final draft of the plan will go to the Metrolinx board of directors in December. 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