Transformational Transit for Toronto
The Rotary Club of Brampton welcomes Brian Crombie, Chair, Toronto Transit Alliance, Transformational Transit for Toronto. Mr. Crombie has an MBA from Harvard. He has worked in large companies as CFO and he is a passionate speaker. He also mentors on social entrepreneurship. Some interesting surveys were done and the number one issue is commute. In the last 20 years, no attention has been paid to the role of cities. As animal increase in mass, their metabolism wears off. Cities follow in the opposite, as the population increases, metabolism increases. Cities are important and it’s all about connectivity.
Congestion in Toronto is unbelievable, the city has gone from tenth best to the fourth worst. Mr. Crombie gave a few comparisons such as Los Angeles which was the most congested in the world is now one of the best, how did they get it do? They talk about work, jobs, lifestyle and connectivity. London was losing jobs, wanted to maintain status so they need to have transit which is now one of the best with high amount of investment expansion since 1989. In Toronto we have to have a vision and it starts with connectivity which is an indicator of a passenger’s ability to use more than one transit system for a single trip. When effective, good connectivity improves transit trips.
In 1956 there was a plan to build five speeds to Toronto but the plan did not materialize, just think how different it would have been if we had implemented that plan. We have many plans but there is no consistent effort and commitment to get it done. For Toronto we have to talk about western freight bypass which will give all day two way go Brampton/Georgetown. Lisgar Station to Bramalea St was never done. Brampton is one of the most congested cities. We should expect two to three million population increase in GTA the next ten years, we cannot stand still, we have to do something. Another solution is to have a Union Station West, this would solve some of the congestion we have in Toronto. There is $11B loss in productivity sitting in traffic.
Ideas moving forward should include a new national dream for the 21st century, a national transit transportation strategy, transformational transit for Toronto to bring the Great back in GTA.