Toronto regional transport authority Metrolinx has published a draft version of 'The Big Move', its C$50bn long-range transport plan (RG 5.08 p277), but admits that the required funding sources are still unidentified. One potential revenue stream that had been unofficially discussed - road tolls and congestion pricing - has been rejected, at least for now. However, Metrolinx officials insist the scheme is urgently needed to relieve ever-increasing road congestion that threatens to choke the Toronto-Hamilton region. The 25-year package includes 100 specific projects totalling some 1150 km of new dedicated rail and bus transit services. If completed, 75% of homes would be within 2 km of rapid transit compared with 42% today. Transit would also increase its modal share of all trips by about 10%, to approximately 26%. Average commuting time would be reduced by 5 min from current levels, but if nothing were done the figure would soar, according to Metrolinx officials.
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