STAFF REPORT
December 21, 1999
To: Planning and Transportation Committee
From: Acting Commissioner of Urban Development Services
Subject: Greater Toronto Services Board - Transportation Workshop Proceedings
Purpose:
This report responds to Council's request for comments on the proceedings of the Transportation Workshop held by the
Greater Toronto Services Board.
Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
None.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that Council recognize the proceedings of the Greater Toronto Services Board Transportation Workshop
as useful input to the preparation of the Greater Toronto Area Transportation Plan.
Background:
At its meeting on November 29, 1999, the Planning and Transportation Committee received correspondence from the
Executive Director of the Greater Toronto Services Board (GTSB) forwarding the proceedings of the Transportation
Workshop which was held by the Greater Toronto Services Board on August 10, 1999. The correspondence advised that
the GTSB directed the Transportation Planning Staff Team to refine the information from the workshop, consider the
proceedings in the preparation of a transportation plan for the GTA, and that all municipalities and transportation agencies
be requested to provide their comments on the Workshop proceedings within 60 days.
Among other actions, Planning and Transportation Committee referred the correspondence from the Executive Director of
the Greater Toronto Services Board to the Acting Commissioner of Urban Development Services and the Official Plan
Council Reference Group for consideration in the development of the City of Toronto's new Official Plan. The Acting
Commissioner of Urban Development Services was also requested to report to Planning and Transportation Committee on
the westerly extension of the subway.
This report provides comment on the GTSB Transportation Workshop proceedings in relationship to the development of
the transportation planning component of the City's new Official Plan. Proposals for specific, major capital investments,
such as the westerly extension of the subway, should be assessed within the framework of the new Official Plan which is
currently in preparation. It is expected that the Plan, when completed, will identify the City's transportation investment
priorities which may possibly include expansions to the existing subway system.
Discussion:
The GTSB Transportation Workshop was attended by a number of City Councillors and staff and by TTC staff. In all about
125 people participated in the workshop. The Workshop provided a valuable opportunity for staff and elected officials of
GTA municipalities and transportation agencies to share information, perspectives and insights regarding transportation
services, plans, and aspirations. Forums were provided to exchange views on transportation in the GTA. The following are
comments on the outcomes of the Workshop.
GTA Transportation Vision
A major part of the GTSB Transportation Workshop was the consideration of a GTA Transportation Vision by the
participants. A draft vision was presented at the Workshop and revised by the participants. The vision resulting from the
Workshop notes that transit is to play a critical role to be guided by:
1. Compact development and mixed-use communities and neighbourhoods are supported by effective and appropriate
transit services as well as pedestrian and cycling activities.
2. Appropriate development patterns, which support transit services, are implemented in rural, suburban and urban
communities according to the concepts in their Official Plans.
3. Transit routes, roads and trucks are convenient and continuous across the region.
4. Transit services are competitive with auto travel, supported by integrated fares, ease of connection between buses and
trains, and transit priority measures.
5. People with disabilities have equal access to service available in their communities.
6. The transit plan and road networks are supported by stable and adequate funding, with contributions from all levels of
government.
7. The implementation of this plan is driven by the co-ordinated commitment of the Greater Toronto Services Board and its
members, as well as local and regional municipalities and the support of an informed public.
This vision for GTA transportation planning is consistent with the emerging direction of the transportation component of
the City's new Official Plan. Fundamental to healthy cities and regions is a high proportion of travel by transit which can
only be achieved if development is at densities and in a form that can be serviced cost-effectively by transit. Transit will
only attract riders if service is competitive with auto use.
Currently, most personal travel in the GTA is by auto. The exception is travel to the Central Area of Toronto which is
predominately by GO Transit (rail and bus), TTC, walking and cycling. In the City of Toronto, as a whole, about half of all
travel is by auto. Whereas elsewhere in the GTA the auto totally dominates. Given these realities, achieving the GTSB's
transportation "vision" in the City of Toronto will require more development within the City to support existing transit
services and increase ridership and, in particular, promote continued strong growth of the Central Area. However,
achieving the "vision" in the regions outside Toronto will require major changes in travel behaviour and development
patterns as well as new ways of providing transit to existing lower-density areas that cannot be effectively served by
traditional transit services.
Co-ordinated transit across jurisdictional boundaries is an important part of the vision. The GTA currently has enviable
transit fare and service co-ordination between TTC and surrounding local transit operators. Many bus services are provided
across boundaries and subway stations accommodate non-TTC buses. GO Transit and many local transit operators have
integrated fares. There are gaps in the co-ordination of transit that are being addressed but overall the gaps affect a very
small proportion of transit riders. Further co-ordination of transit should be pursued but it alone will not make an
appreciable change in overall transit use in the GTA.
GTA Transportation Plan
The Workshop Proceedings include suggestions by the participants for long-range and short-term transportation projects
that should be considered in the preparation of the GTA Transportation Plan. The long-range projects include expansion
and enhancement of GO Transit services throughout and beyond the GTA, extension of TTC subway lines beyond the city
boundaries, establishing transit corridors and high-occupancy vehicle lanes in major highway rights-of-way and
construction of a new highway north of Highway 407. The short-term "doable" elements include: the purchase and
upgrading of Union Station to accommodate more GO Transit service to accommodate current and future development in
the Central Area; integration of GO and TTC stations at key locations such as Dundas West; provision of more parking at
GO Stations; extension of the Spadina Subway to Vaughan Corporate Centre; improving transit information systems;
establishing transit priority at selected intersections, and pursuing a number of highway extensions and widenings, some to
provide HOV lanes.
The GTSB Transportation Planning Staff Team has been reviewing and refining the GTA Transportation Vision and is
considering the long-range and short-term transportation projects in the preparation of the GTA Transportation Plan. The
Plan is to be presented to the GTSB Transportation Committee in early 2000.
The transportation planning component of the City's Official Plan is addressing many of the same issues as the GTA
Transportation Plan including the potential for extensions of rapid transit lines. It is anticipated that the City and the GTA
transportation planning policies will be complementary and mutually supportive. Both recognise the importance of
addressing transportation issues from a broad perspective and the importance of integrating land use and transportation
planning. As noted above, it is within this general transportation planning context that specific proposals such as the
westerly extension of the subway will be evaluated and the appropriate recommendations for such projects determined.
Conclusions:
The GTSB Transportation Workshop provided a good start to the preparation of the GTA Transportation Plan. Equally
important, it was an opportunity for elected officials and staff from GTA municipalities to share information and
perspectives and work co-operatively toward a common goal.
The Workshop proceedings provide a useful overview of GTA transportation issues and are consistent with the broad
transportation policy directions of the City's emerging Official Plan. Therefore, Council should recognize the proceedings
of the GTSB Transportation Workshop as useful input to the GTA Transportation Plan.
Contact:
Anna Pace
Metro Hall
Telephone: 392-8117
Fax: 392-3821
E-mail: apace@toronto.ca
Reviewed by:
Paul J. Bedford James Ridge
Executive Director and Chief Planner Acting Commissioner
City Planning Division Urban Development Services
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