Are We There Yet? The State of Transit Investment in the GTHA
Move the GTHA
2016

Are We There Yet? is a progress report on the state of transit investment in the Greater Toronto & Hamilton Area. Prepared by transit advocacy coalition Move The GTHA with support from the Metcalf Foundation, it builds the case for a more unified and aligned approach to transit funding, one that stresses our commonalities over our differences and is supported by all levels of government.

KEY FIGURES: 

  • To date, provincial, federal and municipal governments have committed a total of $39.3 billion in capital funding to build approximately 519 km of new rapid transit across the GTHA with $31 billion from the Province of Ontario; $1.9 billion from Municipal Governments; and $6.5 billion from the Federal Government.
  • There is a capital funding gap of $28.8 billion to finish building the rapid transit projects in the Big Move.
  • Money required to operate, maintain and rehabilitate this rapid transit system once it is built has not been planned for or set aside. These costs are estimated to reach $1.6 billion per year by 2022 – just six years from now, $3.8 billion per year by 2032 and $4.6 billion per year by 2042.
  • Building transit is an excellent investment that helps Ontario to meet new Greenhouse Gas targets, build walkable, transit-focused communities with a mix of housing and proximity to jobs and amenities, and grow our economic centres.

KEY RECOMMENDATION: 

  • It’s time for a Transit Summit. Move the GTHA calls for all levels of government and transit agencies to meet to identify a detailed, sustainable investment plan that identifies who will invest what to build the transit our growing region needs.

Related Materials & Media Coverage

‘Transit renaissance’ on tap for GTA if funds found, report finds
Toronto Star, Ben Spurr
August 16, 2016

Are We There Yet? Report talks transit investment in the GTHA
Metcalf Foundation
August 31, 2016