Durham wants Metrolinx love…

An editorial at the Metroland papers states that the Metrolinx RTP “doesn’t do a lot for those of us east of the Toronto/York Region line”. Specifically listed are the following concerns:

the extension of Hwy. 407 east of Brock Road;
the extension of Hwy. 404
the widening of Hwy. 7
completing the Steeles-Taunton connection in Toronto
better service to and [...]

Notes from Council

In their Finance and Administration committee meeting of October 22, Regional Councilors have approved an increase in the price of the DC/UOIT U-Pass from $50 per semester to $60 per semester, effective September 2009.
In the same meeting, a provincial infrastructure grant of $28.4 million will, in part (e.g. $3.3 million), be used towards land acquisition, [...]

A Small Step Forward at Lake Ridge

Regular readers may remember my discussion quite some time ago proposing transit centre be located at Lake Ridge and the 401, given that the 407 West Connector highway (running between the 407 and the 401, just east of Lake Ridge) will contain a transit right-of-way that will terminate very near this location, and that there [...]

Metrolinx RTP: The Big Move for Beginners

I’ve been intending to begin a review of the draft Metrolinx Regional Transportation Plan RTP (and styled by Metrolinx as “The Big Move") released about a month ago at the end of September, but have been holding off for a variety of reasons.  Partially, I’ve been very busy with work and personal life – twin [...]

Audley South, Finally

The Toronto Star reports that the DRT Executive Commitee has accepted staff’s report to keep 222 Audley South intact and not shorten it at the request of Sandra Cassidy and other residents of the now-infamous “Hoile Loop”.
I’m of mixed opinions here.  Cassidy had some valid points – Hoile Drive is a very narrow street, ridership [...]

More delays to improved service?

Regional Council has voted to reduce the target for the 2009 property tax increase from staff’s recommendation of 4.9 percent to 4 percent.  This means a savings of $18 on a home valued at $280,000.  Now, see Finance Commissioner Jim Clapp’s comments from the same durhamregion.com article:
Finance commissioner Jim Clapp said the 4.9 per cent [...]