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Long-Term Transportation Plan Needed to Address Province’s Diverse Transportation Needs
For Immediate Release | Dec 4, 2018
Today the Guelph Chamber of Commerce and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce released Moving Forward: A Strategic Approach to Ontario’s Transportation Needs, a policy report calling on the Ontario Government to develop a Long-Term Transportation Plan. To address the current and future transportation needs of the province, the report highlights three areas of opportunity that will help improve the mobility of Ontarians.
In a recent OCC survey, 60% of Ontario businesses rated existing transportation infrastructure as fair or poor. With much of the existing infrastructure in Ontario built in the 1950s and 1960s and nearing the end of its useful life, the OCC recognizes that the costs of investment are high, and Ontario is far behind when it comes to building new and maintaining old infrastructure.
“Transportation is the backbone of our economy, affecting the movement of people and goods and the everyday lives of Ontarians and businesses,” said Kithio Mwanzia, Guelph Chamber President & CEO. “Yet, congestion, limited transit connectivity, population growth, aging assets, unique regional needs, and a historic under-investment in infrastructure have led to a significant gap between the actual and needed infrastructure in Ontario. This has led to real challenges faced by Ontario residents and businesses every single day”
The Guelph Chamber of Commerce and the OCC developed thirteen tangible and pragmatic transportation recommendations for a stronger Ontario within three key areas of opportunity. This approach will help to address the current and future transportation needs of the province with a focus on:
- Transit planning governance;
- Moving people and goods by rail; and
- Autonomous vehicles.
The report points to short and long-term opportunities, including CN Rail’s Milton Logistics Hub, the use of advanced signaling technology to increase capacity on subways, VIA Rail’s High Frequency Rail proposal, bringing two-way all-day GO Train services to the Innovation Corridor, developing “Union Station West”, and the return of passenger rail to Northern Ontario.
Ontario was also the first province in Canada to implement a pilot regulatory framework to allow for the testing of autonomous vehicles and driverless technology. The report calls attention to the readiness of the province for the reality of autonomous vehicles in the near future, recommending Ontario capitalize on its first-mover status in this space. The OCC urges all levels of Government to work together with the industry voices to attract future investments, innovation, and jobs, as well as ensure Ontario is the first province to reap the benefits associated with this technology.
“50% of Ontario businesses view transportation infrastructure as critical to their competitiveness,” added Kithio. “Moving forward, the province needs a plan that is strategic, provides value for public dollars, optimizes existing assets, leverages the private sector and technology, and takes into account the unique needs of our province.”
The Guelph Chamber of Commerce and the OCC have been active on the transportation file for years, looking at transit and transportation governance, the use of rail for the movement of both people and goods, and the province’s autonomous vehicle readiness. Their recent policy report on transportation makes the case for a Long-Range Transportation Plan that can deliver a strategy for better managing the province’s interconnected transportation assets and serving the needs of both Ontario businesses and residents.