A long-awaited study into providing a long-term plan for Durham Region Transit is kicking into gear, with extensive work including public meetings planned for 2009 beginning in March.
The web site is at http://www.durhamlongtermtransitstrategy.ca. Right now, it’s fairly skeletal but there is promise of newsletters and reports being made available beginning in 2009.
In full disclosure, I’ve been asked to participate on the Community Advisory Committee for this study. I encourage others to apply for the Committee via their site, as well. It’s important that there be as much public involvement as possible.
This is a significant study being funded by a $2.5 million federal contribution announced in 2007. Originally it had seemed targeted at helping refine Durham’s BRT plans in advance of funding it. Of course, the Metrolinx RTP includes the Hwy 2 corridor, with $88 miilion in funding for the initial Quick Win phase already provided by the province. The final version of the line, which is likely to include road widening and separation of the route from traffic, will be studied by Metrolinx in a Benefits Case Analysis in 2009, and is included in Metrolinx’s five year list of priorities.
Given this, I’m not entirely clear as to what the long term study will focus on. The web site indicates that rapid transit will be a priority, so I would assume that they will look at GO and DRT enhancements required to keep up with the region’s growth over their target period of 50 years. I expect to know more in the new year, of course.
Filed under: Long Term Study
Good luck to you on the Community Advisory Committee. Just keep in mind from you postings that you are dealing with a company that has problems handling the small things.
Also beware of political interference.
I noticed that this is not the first time at all that you mention this topic. Why have you chosen it again?