June 2015 REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION SNAPSHOT
THE REGION Who are we? The Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA), consisting of Durham Region, Halton Region, the City of Hamilton, Peel Region, the City of Toronto and York Region, is the fastest growing and most ethnically diverse place in North America and is consistently ranked one of the most livable regions in the world. Growth propels our economy, provides opportunity, and is making the GTHA a more vibrant and dynamic place. However, as we grow and prosper, we must plan for this growth. Our transit and transportation system has not kept pace with growth, contributing to congestion. Left unmanaged, congestion has direct, negative impacts on our economy, environment, quality of life, health and well-being. It has an impact on how well we are able to spend our time on what matters to us. Properly planning for growth requires forward-thinking investment in our transportation infrastructure, to enable people and goods to move efficiently and sustainably throughout our beautiful region. 3.5 million more people over 30 years 2011 population 6.6 million 2041 population 10.1 million Total high-rises under construction in 2013 1986-2011 184 184 62% Increase in population AND 71% 46% Increase in car trips Increase in transit trips Sources: Transportation Tomorrow Survey (TTS 2011 Report) / Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horsehoe, 2006, Office Consolidation, June 2013 / Toronto Foundation, 2013 02
METROLINX Regional Transportation Plan Metrolinx, an agency of the Government of Ontario under the Metrolinx Act, 2006, was created to improve the coordination and integration of all modes of transportation in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. In 2008, Metrolinx released The Big Move Regional Transportation Plan (RTP), a bold and visionary plan that outlines a common strategy for transportation in the region. The RTP is centered on developing an integrated transportation system that enhances our quality of life, our environment and our prosperity. 03
Number of GTHA transit trips in 2011 668million Length of Regional Rapid Transit Network Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) 23.0km HOW DO WE MOVE? Municipalities in the GTHA are taking steps to contribute to a more balanced transportation system that provides opportunities for a meaningful number of residents to walk, bike or take transit to work and other destinations. That being said, we have a lot of catching up to do. Today, a smaller share of the region s growing population is walking, biking or taking transit and more people are driving. For instance, we know that more children are being driven to school, and more seniors are driving now than in the past. On the other hand, more seniors are walking or cycling, and fewer young people are interested in car ownership**, than in the past. A balanced transportation system, with realistic and comfortable alternatives to the private automobile, helps everyone by managing congestion, allowing each of us to reach our destination more easily. BRT Light* 88.5km Subway, Scarborough Rapid Transit (RT) 68.4km Train 378.9km * BRT Light describes enhanced bus services that contain elements of BRT, but do not fully meet the definition of BRT total: 559.2km Sources: Baseline Monitoring Report / **Frontier Group. Transportation And The New Generation. Why Young People Are Driving Less And What It Means For Transportation Policy. Phineas Baxandall, U.S. PIRG Education Fund, 2012. Web. 21 May 2015. 04
HOW DO WE MOVE? 1986 Morning peak (6:00-9:00am) TORONTO GTHA (excl. TO) GTHA (incl. TO) trips to school CHILDREN 12-16 1986 2011 drive + passenger 57% 74% 65% drive + passenger 11% 27% transit 32% 10% 21% transit 23% 17% walk + cycle 10% 10% 10% walk + cycle 48% 38% 18% 18% 1986 2011 other* 1% 6% 4% school bus *Other includes motorcycle, taxi, school bus and other modes 2011 Morning peak (6:00-9:00am) TORONTO GTHA (excl. TO) GTHA (incl. TO) SENIORS 65+ all trips drive + passenger 58% 79% 71% drive + passenger 82% 91% transit 29% 10% 17% transit 17% 8% 1% 2% walk + cycle other* 11% 6% 8% 2% 5% 4% walk + cycle Sources: Canadian Urban Transportation Association (CUTA) / TTS 2011 Report 05
HOW DO WE LIVE AND WORK? We live in a wide variety of communities throughout the GTHA, including dense downtowns, residential neighbourhoods and growing rural communities. The transportation system in each community is different, and its design affects how we live, work and access destinations. Accessibility and availability of choice affects commute times, congestion and travel distances. Today in the GTHA, over 800,000 people and almost 700,000 jobs are within a five minute walk (500 metres) of rapid transit, providing convenient access to many destinations such as employment, recreation and shopping. As our population continues to grow, but our urban boundaries remain much the same, development along transit corridors will intensify, offering more people the choice to live, work and shop using transit and active transportation. Number of people living/working in close proximity to rapid transit in 2011 500m 687,000 people (28% of workers) 500m 802,000 people (12% of residents) Sources: TTS 2011 Report / Greater Golden Horseshoe Model (GGHM) 06
HOW DO WE EXPERIENCE THE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM? Our public transit system includes nine separately governed local transit agencies, one regional transit provider, GO Transit, and the Union Pearson Express. Since its inception, Metrolinx has been working with its partners on improving accessibility and integration of the transportation network across the GTHA and between local transit agencies. Initiatives such as Triplinx, the online regional trip planner, and PRESTO are creating better integration of real-time trip information and fare payment. This results in an enhanced user experience that is simpler, more seamless and more efficient. New technology and programs have also emerged that provide us with a wider variety of options for moving around. For example, the proliferation of programs like Smart Commute, car-sharing and bike-sharing promotes more efficient use of existing transportation capacity, resources and infrastructure. PRESTO by the numbers (June 2015) 1.5 million activated PRESTO cards 417 million taps* $1.3 billion in fare payments to date 9.3 million cross agency trip taps (across the network for the 12 months ending May 2015) *Includes period pass taps Accessibility of stations and vehicles 2002 50% 31% 2012 66% 94% Sources: PRESTO Quarterly Report, Metrolinx Board of Directors, June 25, 2015 / Metrolinx Annual Accessibility Plan 2009 and 2012 / CUTA 07
WHAT CAN WE EXPECT? From the time when the Yonge subway opened in Toronto in 1954, the regional rapid transit network has expanded significantly, serving a growing region. Today, signficant policy work and transportation infrastructure investments are underway to build and integrate the transit network, and to make the travel experience more accessible, comfortable and safe. Improvements to the transportation network will continue to support the development of livable communities where people, regardless of age, income or ability, can meet their daily needs without having to rely on the private automobile. Our transportation system will bolster our economy by addressing congestion, facilitating the movement of goods, and improving access to employment. It will also support provincial initiatives such as the development of thriving communities that are dense but highly livable, to decrease the consumption of land and resources, and produce fewer harmful emissions. Regional Rapid Transit Network Length Timeline km year Source: Baseline Monitoring Report 7 121 229 396 433 419 486 541 559 1954 1967 1978 1982 1990 1993 2005 2011 2015 08
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