On Wednesday, July 24th, TTC Chair Karen Stintz brought forward a motion "That TTC CEO Andy Byford initiate discussions with appropriate Metrolinx staff to determine the feasibility of using the Georgetown and Lakeshore East Transit GO Transit corridors for the Downtown Relief Line, as part of the Downtown Relief Line environmental assessment."
I am pleased that this motion was passed by TTC Board members, and that since its passing it has received positive media attention.
I will continue working to ensure that the Western portion of the Downtown Relief Line is a priority for the TTC and Metrolinx and that the residents of Downtown West, Ward 18 in particular, are served by an electrified, local train service as soon as possible.
The TTC wants to look at the feasibility of using GO’s Georgetown South and Lake Shore East lines as part of the solution for a downtown relief line (DRL).
CEO Andy Byford has been told by the TTC board to approach provincial agency Metrolinx about including those GO services in the environmental assessment for the relief line, which is needed to take some of the crowding off the Yonge subway.
The Toronto Transit Commission wants to look at whether it can operate a so-called Downtown Relief Line on GO’s Georgetown and Lakeshore East rail corridors.
The commission approved a motion on Wednesday asking CEO Andy Byford to discuss the feasibility of the proposal with Metrolinx, the provincial agency that operates GO and is planning transit expansion in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.
Plans for a downtown relief line to curb congested transit in Toronto could include conversion of train tracks along two GO transit lines.
The Toronto Transit Commission at a meeting on Wednesday passed a motion brought forward by chair Karen Stintz to investigate the feasibility of using the Kitchener (formerly called Georgetown) and Lakeshore East lines.
The TTC will study using existing GO rail corridors for a proposed subway route.
A motion approved by the TTC board asks staff to collaborate with provincial transit planning body Metrolinx on examining the suitability of running a future Downtown Relief Line (DRL) along the Georgetown and Lakeshore East tracks.
Metrolinx has placed the construction of a relief line as a priority for its Big Move transit network, and has pledged to build the DRL within 15 years if the project is funded.