A discussion about rapid transit in Ontario is no longer a simple chat about downtown Toronto. There are numerous initiatives taking place across the province.
Here are some of the major projects outside of Toronto. The descriptions below are taken mostly from the official websites of these projects, in order to give you a sense of how these new transit systems are being sold to the public.
Viva in York Region: (under construction)
Putting the rapid into rapid transit. That's what vivaNext is all about.
While the subway extensions will get you in and out of Toronto more quickly, it's the rapidways that will get you around York Region's busiest corridors faster. Up to 40% faster. That's because the rapidways will feature dedicated centre lanes in roadways to allow our beautiful blue Viva vehicles to safely speed past congested traffic, no matter what time of day. (link to source)
The results demonstrated the feasibility of Rapid Transit in Waterloo Region, and more specifically:
- Ridership forecasts support Light Rail Transit (LRT).
- The benefits associated with LRT are more than double those of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), although the costs of LRT are higher.
- Rail transit has a demonstrable influence on land values and locational decisions and is recognized as a planning tool that can support and encourage the development of more sustainable land use patterns. (link to source)
Hamilton continues to move forward with ambitious plans to implement rapid transit. On April 2, 2009 Metrolinx officially commenced the Benefits Case Analysis for Rapid Transit in Hamilton, focusing on the proposed B-Line for implementation as one of the Province's Top 15 Priority Projects (Metrolinx Regional Transportation Plan 2008). (link to source)
Ottawa Transitway: (exists and is being expanded)
The Transitway is one of the most extensive and successful implementations of bus rapid transit[citation needed]; many of the Transitway roads are above or below the grade of normal streets in Ottawa, by the use of overpasses, bridges, and trench highways. Thus, they rarely intersect directly with the regular traffic, and make it possible for the buses (and emergency vehicles) to continue at full speed even during rush hour. Buses that travel on the Transitway can cross very long distances (especially outside the downtown area) without stopping for a single traffic light. Most sections of the Transitway have a speed limit of 70–90 km/h (43–56 mph) between stations, and 50 km/h (31 mph) in the station areas. (from Wikipedia article)
Ottawa O-Train: (exists and possibly being expanded)
The O-Train was launched on October 15, 2001. It uses an eight kilometre segment of existing railway track and is the first single operator passenger rail service in North America. It includes five stations at Bayview, Carling, Carleton University, Confederation Heights and Greenboro. (link to source)
Transit projects for cities of all sizes are in the works so check with your local transit authority about developments in your neck of the woods.
ps we would like to thank Adam Krawesky for allowing us to use his photos during the broadcast
