It sets the stage for the biggest subway transfer in the history of the Toronto Transit Commission.Premier Doug Ford´s government on Tuesday released the terms of reference for the deal to `upload` the building and maintenance of new and existing TTC subway lines to the province from the City of Toronto.The plan, a cornerstone of the Progressive Conservatives´ election platform last June, would leave the TTC responsible for day-to-day operations of the subway while keeping fare box revenues.Buses and streetcars would continue to be run by the city.`With an upload, our government can cut through red tape to start new projects and finish construction faster,` Ford promised.`Necessary maintenance and investment in the subway system has been put off for too long. We´ve also been waiting far too long for subway expansions. New subway construction has been stuck in red tape for years. It´s time to take action and speed things up,` the premier said.Transportation Minister Jeff Yurek said the `bold action` would speed up construction, making life easier for commuters from across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.`As a government, we are turning priorities into real projects and get the job done. We know that a lack of transit infrastructure and traffic congestion are costing money, jobs and time,` said Yurek as the framework was announced.Read more:Law to upload responsibility for Toronto subway to province coming in spring`No secrets´ in subway upload, says transportation minister, but much of special adviser´s info to remain confidentialOpinion | Edward Keenan: Subway upload is a bad idea proposed by fools - and that´s not the worst part`The signing of the terms of reference between the province of Ontario and the City of Toronto signals a shared interest to improve subway service, build more transit projects, to expand, and integrate the regional network and get people moving,` he said.That means a push for more integrated fares and services between the TTC and r ...
|