LONDON s system TRANSFORMING THE WAY LONDON MOVES
TRANSFORMING The WAY LONDON MOVES London is Canada s largest urban centre without a modern rapid transit system. That s about to change, with a vision nearly a decade in the making. Thriving cities worldwide have modern rapid transit. Moving more people, more efficiently, means more Londoners getting to and from work easily, more customers at local businesses and more fans getting to the game on time. It means more culture lovers supporting the arts more often, and more people venturing out to experience and invest in everything London has to offer. It means a better transit system that is accessible for everyone. With BRT corridors acting as the spine of the transit system, plus a 35 per cent increase in transit service hours system-wide, there are benefits for all bus riders. But all Londoners including those who drive will have an enhanced experience, thanks to the project s investments in smart traffic signals, road widening and streetscape improvements, plus dedicated bus lanes that help keep traffic moving smoothly. With BRT, London can capitalize on infrastructure investments and build a best in class transportation system to carry us and our economy into the future.
The Facts about BRT A growing London needs BRT Making existing bus service better A plan nearly 10 years in the making SO much more than bus service In the next 20 years, London is expected to grow by 84,000 people which is like adding eight Masonville neighbourhoods and a lot more gridlock. As London grows, BRT will carry thousands of riders in dedicated bus lanes, helping traffic flow smoothly for everyone. BRT is part of an overall 35 per cent increase in bus service hours meaning more buses, in more places, more often. Instead of just adding more regular buses to the roads, BRT buses will travel in dedicated lanes, avoiding congested roads and offering frequent, reliable service. Riders can count on BRT buses coming every 5 or 10 minutes and more frequent service from existing local bus routes. In the past year, the BRT team has held hundreds of hours of consultation through stakeholder sessions and public workshops. But consultation with Londoners on rapid transit has been ongoing for nearly a decade, through some of the city s largest-ever public engagement exercises, including SmartMoves 2030, the London Plan and the Rapid Transit Master Plan. By engaging thousands of local citizens and businesses, these exercises laid the groundwork for BRT as part of the vision to meet our city s unique transit needs. BRT doesn t just add bus lanes. With improved road design and smart traffic signals funded by the project, everyone transit riders, cyclists and drivers alike will have a better commute. And BRT will repair and revitalize our roads, sidewalks and streetscaping with the potential for other levels of government to contribute up to 74 cents on the dollar work that would otherwise be fully funded by local tax dollars.
The Facts about BRT a cost-effective investment building businesses and encouraging new investment HELPING CREATE A GREENER CITY meeting the needs of londoners This BRT plan has one of the lowest costs per kilometre and best returns on investment of any rapid transit project in the province. The total capital investment in London s BRT plan is $500 million, with the City s share set at $130 million. And BRT construction will help the City defer many road expansion projects that would otherwise be needed, keeping development charges affordable. Once BRT is running, it will bring customers to businesses, more frequently and reliably. More shopping. More dining. More tickets sold. More money in tills. The construction alone will provide more than 4,000 person-years of jobs, and $270 million in wages for Londoners. Carrying thousands more riders in dedicated bus lanes, BRT will improve our air quality and lower greenhouse gas emissions, helping reduce the threat of climate change. And rapid transit will balance how our city grows, promoting inward and upward development. As early as the 2006 ReThink London (London Plan) consultations, Londoners have been asking for a more reliable, sustainable, modern transportation system one that will help us plan for an aging population, meet the needs of younger workers, encourage growth in the core and steward our environment. In the hundreds of hours of consultation on this project, the City heard from Londoners in favour of BRT from young tech workers commuting to the core and growing businesses who need to access this talent, to seniors and parents who rely on transportation for jobs and appointments, and new Canadians establishing themselves in our community.
A better travel experience for everyone Get yourself to work with less stress, and your family to activities with ease, in a system that moves all Londoners to work, home and everywhere in between, with more choice. Making local bus service even better By building a strong spine of rapid transit service across north east and south-west corridors, BRT will enhance London s overall transit system. Travelling in dedicated lanes, BRT buses will be predictable and reliable, avoiding traffic congestion not adding to it. Many local bus routes will see more frequent service, and some routes will be extended into other areas where service isn t as strong now. All of this means the growing number of Londoners who use public transit can count on more efficient, reliable service to get where they need to go, on time and with ease. Smart traffic signals Smart traffic systems save people time and not just transit riders. A key part of the BRT plan, the prioritized traffic signals will act as a central eye in the sky to spot traffic patterns and alter signals to ease congestion and improve traffic flow for everyone. Frequent buses and real-time bus information With BRT buses running every 5 or 10 minutes and real time information at BRT bus stops, you ll know exactly where your bus is and when it s arriving. Or, if you don t quite get there in time, you can rest assured the next one will quickly come along. Modern stops Covered platforms to protect from wind and weather, comfortable seating, modern lighting and heating systems, and technology charging stations are just some of the many features being considered. Plus, 40% of Londoners will live near BRT stops and 60% of Londoners will work near them. Fixing roads and beautifying our streets The BRT project will do more than add dedicated bus lanes. As part of the budget, the project will widen streets and modernize and beautify major corridors, providing a more pleasant experience for all commuters not just those who travel by bus.
COUNTDOWN TO A BETTER TRAVEL EXPERIENCE Summer 2018: Tell us what YOU think! Londoners have more opportunities to share ideas to help fine tune the BRT plans through public consultation sessions. Late 2018: It s all in the details! With the Environmental Assessment scheduled for completion, the team is set to dive into detailed design for the BRT network, evaluating every inch of the 24-kilometre route to refine the corridors to best fit into our communities. Early 2019 Londoners have the chance to make history by choosing a name for our BRT system and helping us determine how to give our 38 BRT stops a unique local twist! Early 2019 More green lights on your drive as smart traffic systems are set to begin to go live. Mid-2019 Shovels are expected in the ground on some exciting first elements of BRT! Initial plans could include a pilot stop and a demo BRT corridor, complete with streetscape beautification. 2020 Construction is expected to begin for BRT, with stops and dedicated lanes starting in the downtown core and heading east. 2022 2028 BRT construction is expected to continue through the north, south and west corridors. Londoners can start riding BRT as each leg of the system is complete. 2028 More buses, more frequently, in more places full system is expected to be complete!
BY THE NUMBERS Fiscally Responsible More Buses 35% OTHER LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT LONDON S INVESTMENT The BRT project has the potential to be funded at up to 74 cents on the dollar by other levels of government. BRT s modern bus fleet will travel in dedicated lanes, contributing to an overall 35% increase in service between regular LTC buses and the BRT fleet. Managing Growth Cleaner Air x 8.5 London s population will grow by 84,000 people in the next 20 years - that s like adding 8.5 more Masonville communities. BRT means cleaner air for generations to come - 230,000 tonnes less greenhouse gas by 2050.
WHAT IT MEANS FOR US ALL Increased choice 60% of Londoners will be able to walk to work from 38 new BRT stops. 40% of London homes will be within walking distance of the two main lines. Cleaner air BRT will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 230,000 tonnes over the next 30 years. More capacity BRT is a key part of an overall 35% increase in annual transit service hours, system-wide. That equals more buses, in more areas, more frequently. Less congestion BRT will ensure shorter commute times and less gridlock for all commuters on buses, in personal vehicles, on bicycles and on foot with improved road design and smart traffic signals. Saving money BRT will allow London to defer major municipal road expansion projects, keeping development charges affordable. Plus, the majority of BRT routes are due for lifecycle improvements anyway improvements which would otherwise be fully funded by local tax dollars.
HOW IT WORKS Smart traffic signals installed with BRT monitor traffic flow in real time, making adjustments to ease traffic congestion. BRT and local buses work together for a 35% increase in service hours. Highly visible crosswalks make pedestrian crossings safer. High-capacity, fully accessible buses run every 5 or 10 minutes along BRT corridors. Bike lanes and multi-use paths connect with BRT stops wherever possible. Emergency service vehicles can use dedicated lanes to reach destinations faster. BRT project covers necessary road upgrades and resurfacing along 24 km of London s busiest roads. BRT stops feature fully enclosed shelters, real-time bus information and fare payment equipment. Streetscapes along BRT corridors are beautified with trees and greenery.
THE SYSTEM AT A GLANCE STATION MASONVILLE COMMERCIAL AREA FANSHAWE PK RD CENTRAL TRANSIT HUB WONDERLAND RD BRESCIA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE WESTERN DISCOVERY PARK HURON UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON HEALTH SCIENCES CENTRE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL WESTERN UNIVERSITY WINDERMERE RD KING S UNIVERSITY COLLEGE HIGHBURY AVE TRANSIT TERMINAL NORTH-EAST ROUTE SOUTH-WEST ROUTE MIXED TRAFFIC WITH QUEUE JUMP LANES SARNIA RD WONDERLAND/OXFORD COMMERCIAL AREA CHERRYHILL MALL OXFORD ST W ST. JOSEPH S HOSPITAL ADELAIDE ST HURON ST OXFORD ST E FANSHAWE COLLEGE MAIN CAMPUS TO AIRPORT INTERLINED SECTION POTENTIAL FUTURE EXTENSION PRIMARY TRANSIT AREA RIVERSIDE DR RICHMOND ROW OLD EAST VILLAGE PARK & RIDE DUNDAS ST WESTERN FAIR DISTRICT WHARNCLIFFE RD HAMILTON RD TRAFALGAR ST COMMISSIONERS RD LONDON HEALTH SCIENCES CENTRE VICTORIA HOSPITAL WELLINGTON RD PARKWOOD INSTITUTE LABATT MEMORIAL PARK QUEENS AVE HARRIS PARK TALBOT ST RICHMOND ROW GRAND THEATRE QUEENS AVE RICHMOND ST CLARENCE ST VICTORIA PARK WELLINGTON ST CITY HALL WHITE OAK RD EXETER RD SOUTHDALE RD WHITE OAKS COMMERCIAL AREA BRADLEY AVE MUSEUM LONDON IVEY PARK RIDOUT ST BUDWEISER GARDENS BUS STATION FANSHAWE COLLEGE DOWNTOWN COVENT GARDEN MARKET KING ST YORK ST RAIL STATION CENTRAL LIBRARY CITI PLAZA DUNDAS ST LONDON CONVENTION CENTRE