We all know that York Region is growing. In some parts of the Region, this growth is happening so quickly that some people might worry their neighbourhoods could change in ways they won’t like. Truth is, growth throughout the Greater Toronto Area is going to continue and bring about change – it’s inevitable.
That’s why York Region has been so enthusiastic about bringing the vivaNext rapid transit expansion. But what does rapid transit have to do with managing growth, and why should you care? Let’s talk about this.
With growth, many more people will come to York Region, all wanting homes, jobs, and pleasant places to shop and relax. That means more new business and residential development, and more people needing to move around. Saying no to growth isn’t an option, but there are choices in what new development gets built, and where it happens. This is where growth can be good – or result in change that isn’t so good.
In the past, there was lots of room for new development, and it could spread out. Because it was spread out, people often drove everywhere – to go shopping, to get to work, to do the things that mattered. That was fine when our roads weren’t so crowded, and you could get around easily.
Over the years, two things have happened that changed the way we plan for new developments. One thing is an understanding that available land is limited. Limits have been placed on developments in the fragile greenbelt around the GTA that also surrounds York Region, protecting those lands for future generations. The second thing is that getting around the spread-out developments of the past is taking much longer, now that there are so many more cars on the road.
Part of the answer lies in careful planning for new growth. York Region’s Official Plan sets out clear rules for where new growth will go, and what will be allowed. Our existing neighbourhoods will stay much the way they are, but new developments will be more compact and pedestrian-friendly – especially along the main corridors. The other part of the answer lies in making sure that all new development can be easily reached by rapid transit, so people won’t need to rely on cars to get where they want to go.
With this plan, you’ll get to enjoy all the things you love about living here, plus you’ll have even more places to go and things to do…all connected by a leading-edge rapid transit system that will make getting around easier than ever before.
That’s the plan, and vivaNext is a key part of it. So – tell us – what are the things YOU want to keep the same – and what new things do you wish were here?
2 replies on “Growth: making the most of our community”
With the provincial budget, it is expected the VIVA bus lanes will be cancelled for the imediate future.
Transit blogger Steve Munro, in a Toronto Star article, said: “Thursday’s budget also drives a stake through the Yonge subway expansion to Richmond Hill for now…”
What is VIVAnext doing to ensure funding for both much need VIVA bus lanes and Richmond Hill Subway will come through? Will this delay the plans?
What is VIVAnext’s response to the latest provincial budget?
I’m sure everyone reading this blog would love to know.
DaleA: Thanks for your inquiry, Michael.
Since the provincial budget was only just presented a few days ago, there’s still a lot of work needed to sort out the details. We will be working closely with the Province in the coming weeks to see what impact the announcement will have on our project’s timing. However, one thing I can say with certainty is that both the Province and York Region remain committed to our projects; as Finance Minister Dwight Duncan said a couple of days ago, projects will still go ahead, they just might take somewhat longer.
We also are still working on plans for the Yonge Subway extension, including securing funding.
All governments agree that rapid transit is a key requirement for managing future growth; the only question that we are all discussing is how quickly we can get those projects underway.
Things I wish were here in York Region:
1. VIVAnext bus lanes on Yonge Street especially from Highway 7 northwards to just north of Bernard Avenue at least. Congestion all throughout this area…these lanes are overdue!
2. Demise of GO Transit Route 62 that duplicates VIVA Blue, YRT 98 & 99 service. Why the duplication? (Coming April 5th GO Transit Route 62…formerly known as Newmarket “B” service…is gone.).
3. Wasting transit money on new signs. Good case in point: New GO Transit Bus Stop signs and YRT Bus Stop signs on Yonge Street where route 98/99 and GO Transit Route 62 stop signs. 2 weeks after these new signs are installed, some on newly installed polls, GO Transit announces demise of the GO Route 62 service as of April 5th 2010.
4. Subway service at least to Major McKenzie Drive on Yonge Street.
5. VIVA Station arrival displays that don’t go down every weeknight between 6:00 and 7:00 P.M. on the northbound side. It happens Bloomington Road, Henderson Drive, and Golf Links. It happenned for two weeks straight and I reported it. But it happenned again Tuesday night of this week at Weldrick Road.
DaleA: Thanks for sharing your comments and concerns Michael – it’s always great to get the input of a transit supporter.
By the way, we have let YRT\Viva operations know about your issues with the Vivastation arrival displays, so hopefully these can be fixed quickly and keep you informed while on-the-go!