go transit

ERG/IBM consortium to bid for this...............

ERG did Phase 1 of GO TRANSIt......
Central Toronto to Richmond Hill


Government Creates Landmark Transportation Agency


Proposed Legislation Would Benefit Commuters With Coordinated Services
And A Single Fare Card

QUEEN'S PARK, ON, April 24 /CNW/ - The McGuinty government is taking the
next step to create the Greater Toronto Transportation Authority (GTTA), which
would make commuting easier for people in the GTA and Hamilton, Transportation
Minister Harinder Takhar announced today.
"We know that someone who lives in Brampton and works in Toronto wants to
get home in time for dinner with the family," said Takhar. "That's why I am
introducing legislation later today that lays the foundation for timely and
reliable transportation across the region."
Hamilton Mayor Larry Di Ianni, Burlington Mayor Robert MacIsaac, Oakville
Mayor Ann Mulvale, Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion, Brampton Mayor
Susan Fennell, Halton Regional Chair Joyce Savoline, Peel Regional Chair
Emil Kolb, York Regional Chair Bill Fisch, Durham Regional Chair
Roger Anderson and Toronto Transit Commission Chair Howard Moscoe joined
Minister Takhar in making today's announcement.

If the proposed legislation is passed, the GTTA will:

- Implement the GTA Fare Card System, which would enable commuters to
travel on public transit from Durham Region to Hamilton using a
single card
- Integrate municipal and regional transit planning, and co-ordinate
fares and transit service delivery to improve convenience for
commuters
- Coordinate the purchase of transit vehicles on behalf of
municipalities
- Manage GO Transit
- Develop and submit an annual capital plan and investment strategy

Subject to passage of the legislation, GTTA - governed by regional
municipalities and the Province - could be in operation by September, 2006. An
advisory committee of stakeholders representing seniors, students, persons
with disabilities and the business community will also be created.
"One of the board's first goals will be to develop an investment plan
that is consistent with the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe,"
said Public Infrastructure Renewal Minister David Caplan. "An estimated
3.7 million more people are coming to this region over the next 25 years. We
need a comprehensive, long-term approach to make sure we have better transit
and transportation systems in place where we want growth to happen."
"GTTA will bring the province together with municipalities to develop a
seamless and integrated transportation plan for road, rail and transit," said
Takhar. "GTTA will bring a region-wide approach to transit and transportation
planning in the GTA and Hamilton."
The creation of the GTTA is one component of Move Ontario, a new
$1.2 billion investment in public transit and municipal roads and bridges that
was announced in the 2006 Budget. Quick, reliable and safe transportation is
vital to Ontario's economic success and quality of life.
The McGuinty government has taken a number of steps to improve the lives
of people in the Greater Toronto Area. In addition to the proposed GTTA, the
government has protected 1.8 million acres of land through the Greenbelt, and -
through the Greater Golden Horseshoe Growth Plan - will ensure well-planned
communities that provide a better quality of life for Ontarians.