Across the top of the GTA, the car is still the preferred way to get
around, while transit attracts a small minority of commuters. Yet
the traffic congestion that permeates suburban areas like York
Region has forced many to reconsider the status quo. Perhaps that's
why both York Region Transit and GO Transit are both winning new
customers -- at an impressive rate of about 10% a year.
There is a long way to go before the transit becomes a serious
option for most 905 commuters, but that doesn't stop planners and
politicians from hatching ambitious schemes to head off gridlock. GO
Transit is pondering the extension of train service from Bradford
all the way to Barrie, as well as big and small improvements to its
rail and bus routes across the top of Toronto.
But despite the favourable announcements of funding from Queen's
Park and Ottawa, little money has been allocated to building most of
these projects. In contrast, the municipal council that oversees
York Region has had a bit more luck getting shovels in the earth.
Drivers in cities like Vaughan,
Richmond Hill and Markham may have noticed construction at a large
number of intersections -- and wondered what's up. Major junctions,
especially along Yonge Street and Highway 7, are being altered to
allow for a new rapid bus service that will start rolling in less
than a year. Known as "Quick Start" or "Rapid Transit", this
fledgling network of special buses should be on the road by
September 2005.
Riders on the regular York Region Transit (YRT) service may have
heard about the plan some time ago, and wonder what's so quick about
it. Also, the service may not seem overly rapid -- at first. People
will likely be impressed when they see ultra-modern low-floor buses
pulling into stations at major intersections -- but the buses will
still be subject to congestion. Getting them out of traffic is the
next step.
The public-private consortium behind the Rapid Transit project has
to navigate through the many stages of an environmental assessment
before it
can build bus-only lanes along Highway 7 and Yonge. Until then, a
lot of other improvements can be set up -- like the stations, and
special bypass lanes that allow buses to get ahead of traffic at
intersections. The stops themselves will have special ticket
machines as well as electronic signs that tell waiting riders how
long until the next vehicle arrives.|
The time-saving bus lanes will be built in phases, but officials
hope riders will immediately see the service as something special.
In a few weeks, expect to see a marketing launch that will promote
the upcoming network -- branding transit in a way not commonly seen
in Canada. Although riders will
still be able to use YRT tickets and passes, the project will be
presented as four special lines.
Along with the Yonge and Highway 7 lines, two other routes will
connect with
the TTC at Downsview and Don Mills subway stations. If the commuting
public responds to the new network in sufficient numbers, there is
the possibility that some of the busier portions could be replaced
by light rail transit.
This is still years away, but in the meantime the existing YRT
system will gradually be improved, leading up to next September's
opening of the first phase of Rapid Transit. Normal bus routes are
seeing slight enhancements this fall, including a route to the new
Vaughan Mills shopping mall. As for the riders who travel the TTC on
contracted service into York Region, it appears that your routes are
going to continue as they are, and more buses may even be added.
Send e-mail to
transit@eddrass.com. Include address and phone number.