Transit Investment Strategy Advisory

Panel

Welcome to the

Online consultation

The Panel Mandate

• The Panel will advise the Province on how to respond to the Metrolinx Investment Strategy

• Engage the public about: – The plan– The need for investment– The right course of action.

• Recommend specific revenue and funding tools in December 2013

Our Approach• To challenge misconceptions and establish criteria

and options, the panel prepared three discussion papers to guide public consultations:

1. Hard Truths About Transit – Presents six hard truths to form the basis of the Panel’s consultations.

2. The Transit We Need – Establishes criteria for project selection and prioritization, and improved accountability.

3. Paying for Transit: Considering the Options – Discusses specific ways to pay for transit expansion.

Six Hard Truths About Transit1. Subways are not the only good form of transit:

– Must match right transit mode and technology to route.

2. Transit does not automatically drive development:– Transit lines must connect with current and anticipated jobs.

3. The cost of building transit is not the main expense:– Operating and maintenance costs

are a major portion of total lifecycle cost.

Six Hard Truths About Transit4. Transit riders are not the only beneficiaries of new transit

infrastructure:– Everyone benefits – drivers, businesses, others.

5. Transit expansion in the GTHA is not at a standstill:– The largest transit investment in Ontario history is under way now .

6. Funds cannot be found by simply cutting waste in government:– New sources of revenue are

needed to deliver world class transit in the GTHA. $16 billion worth of transit

projects are being designed and built today.

The Transit We Need• The criteria for project selection and prioritization is that

projects must be:– Aligned with current and anticipated jobs– Coordinated with location of community and public

institutions– Geared to create an integrated network supporting all modes– Planned to use appropriate mode and technology– Implemented on practical timelines

The Transit We Need (2)

• Better governance and accountability is vital:– New revenue must be dedicated to transit projects– Decisions must be based on lifecycle costs of projects– Greater partnership must be forged between all levels

of governments– There should be municipal

representation on the Metrolinx Board

Paying for Transit: Considering the Options

• Criteria:– Sufficient– Fair – Easy – Transit-friendly– Minimizes economic distortion

Paying for Transit: Considering the Options

• Projects and revenue tools can be phased in together.• All levels of government should invest• Federal participation:

– Canada is the only G7 country without a dedicated federal funding program for transit

– One-off commitments should be replaced by dedicated funding – Federal contributions needed for capital and long-term operating

and maintenance• Success depends on support from all sectors.

Next Steps and Closing Remarks

• Please leave your completed workbooks and comment cards on the table.

• Feel free to complete the online questionnaire on www.transitpanel.ca/have-your-say

• Email your ideas to transit@transitpanel.ca