Tag: Ontario

Categories
Subways

Increasing subway capacity

If the subway seems crowded, we've got ways to increase capacity.
The subways may seem crowded, but we've got ways to increase capacity.

We get a lot of people asking about how the subway extensions will affect the current service and levels of capacity. We understand that extending the line will allow more people to ride and there are plans in place to manage ridership growth and help increase current capacity during peak times, especially at Yonge and Bloor.

Our plan includes opening the Spadina subway extension first to divert riders who begin their commute in the north. We expect this to divert 1,300 peak hour riders away from the Yonge line. There will also be 2,900 parking spaces along the Spadina extension, to divert more riders away from the Yonge line.

A new signaling system will allow trains to run closer together, reducing the wait time between trains. More frequent trains help spread out ridership, reducing the bunching-up effect. The new trains will allow people to walk from one end to the other – making use of space between the train cars that’s currently not possible. In addition, only every second train will go north of Finch Station during the morning peak, meaning every other train arriving at Finch during the morning peak will start its southbound trip empty.

That is a very short overview of some of our plans to increase capacity. Please let me know if you are interested in how any particular plan will work. I like talking about solutions that will make getting around better for everyone.

Categories
General

Time-lapse animations a big hit with the Region

I really had no idea what they would say. We’ve recently been working really hard on creating images of what parts of York Region will look like when the rapidway/subway projects are completed and mixed-use development is built. And on April 16, I showed examples to York Region’s Rapid Transit Committee.
The final frame of the time-lapse animation in Markham
The final frame of the time-lapse animation in Markham


I’ll save you the suspense and just say that their eyes lit up and all the Mayors wanted to know when they would get a copy of the final images and time-lapse videos. In fact, one of the reporters there requested electronic copies of the three images shown. Guess we’ll see that in print this weekend.


For us, they have been developing time-lapse animations of how Markham, Vaughan and Newmarket will change over the next 5-10 years as communities are built around transit.

In only a few seconds, the time-lapse animation shows how these different areas will change as subways and rapidways come to York Region. They are still works in progress and will look even better when completed in a few weeks. So be sure to check back on our website to see the videos, and I’ll let you know here when they’re done.

I like going to meetings like this because it gives us a chance to talk with elected officials, members of the public and the media about how our progress is going and to hear their thoughts.

Categories
Announcements vivaNext.com

New online stop

I recently created this blog to serve as an informal way to give you a behind-the-scenes look and engage in the online conversation about vivaNext.

But you may not know that we also just launched a new website that is super sleek and easier to navigate.

I’m extremely proud of our former website, in fact it even won a Webby award, the leading international award honouring excellence on the Internet. But times change and technology evolves allowing us to share so much more information with you on our new website in a more creative way.

It’ll include the latest information on subway and rapidway progress, a section on how to get involved and details on who to contact with questions.

One of the coolest features is what we are calling a peak behind the construction wall. Here you can see what tunnel boring and station building looks like. We’ll also showcase our videos including time-lapse animation that will show you what the rapidways will look like and how they’ll fit into your community.

And of course, just like the previous website, there will be a game because we are always looking for ways to have fun.

Go ahead, tour our new online stop and let me know what you think.

Categories
Announcements Press Rapidways

$1.4 billion for our rapidway projects

Premier Dalton McGuinty announces billions for transit projects
Premier Dalton McGuinty announces billions for transit projects
I’m really excited about this recent announcement. If you haven’t heard – or didn’t click on the link above – vivaNext rapidway projects are being funded with $1.4 billion from the Government of Ontario.

I’m excited because this means faster and better connections for everyone. Let’s face it, the faster, more accessible and more reliable public transit is, the more people will choose to use it instead of driving.

The funding will allow us to put shovels in the ground this year on four specific areas:
1) Highway 7 – from about Jane St. in Vaughan to Kennedy Rd. in Markham
2) Yonge St. – from about Highway 7 to 19th Ave. in Richmond Hill
3) Yonge St. – from Mulock Dr. to Davis Dr. in Newmarket
4) Davis Dr. – from Yonge St. to the Southlake Regional Hospital

But this funding announcement wasn’t isolated to York Region. Premier McGuinty is investing billions on transit projects in the GTA.

While we celebrated this announcement at the office, I began to think about just how much work now stands before us and how some people will likely be skeptical. I can assure you that final preparations will be done and we will begin construction this fall.

I’ll be sure to post pictures!

Categories
Announcements Press

$3 billion for transit from Ontario Budget

When reviewing the Ontario Budget, one thing became abundantly clear with respect to public transit – there’s a serious commitment to it. The budget set aside more than $3 billion in funding for transit over the next two years!

The budget says the government will be “focusing on quick-start projects”. These are infrastructure projects that are already well planned and in a position to create immediate economic stimulus and create jobs. That’s exactly where vivaNext shines.

I applaud the Ontario Government for making such a significant funding commitment to public transit. Doing so will not only help provide an economic stimulus and create jobs, it will also help future generations to be less dependent on driving vehicles.

The cover of the 2009 Ontario Budget
The cover of the 2009 Ontario Budget