Markham councillor shares vision on transit line
The much-needed relief for the Yonge subway line could be found by transforming the existing Stouffville GO line, according to a Markham councillor.
That is, get rid of the Stouffville GO line and replace it with I-METRO-E, or the Markham and East Toronto Rail Ontario-Electric.
The “I” stands for innovative, integrated, iconic, intelligent and immediate, said Regional Councillor Jim Jones, the author of the above-ground-electric-subway vision.
Mr. Jones tabled his 73-page vision document during last week’s council meeting to support his motion to pursue the I-METRO-E concept, on which he began working in December.
While GO is an “antiquated” system, I-METRO-E is a 46.7-kilometre rapid transit link, envisioned as a subway-like, quick-start rapid transit system that will offload the Yonge subway line, provide a downtown relief line and will temporarily use diesel-electric multiple units, popular in Europe, Mr. Jones writes in his book.
He said because Metrolinx owns the rail corridor and already had diesel-multiple units on order, capital costs are low.
Mr. Jones estimated it would cost about $1 billion to $2 billion to implement the entire system.
However, “The big thing is money”, Mr. Jones said. “There is no predicable funding source.”
That being said, Mr. Jones said his vision calls for a private developer to build I-METRO-E, design it and operate it for 35 to 50 years, with Metrolinx overseeing it.
It will develop the Stouffville corridor as the “Yonge Street of the east”, he said, adding it’s about connectivity, span of services, frequency and speed.
With the track elevated and with full electrification, I-METRO-E can travel 24 stops in just over 43 minutes, as opposed to 1 hour and 4 minutes currently on GO from Stouffville to Union Station, Mr. Jones said.
It will create a new north-south connection between Markham and Toronto and could be operational by 2015 and serve as showcase for the Pan Am Games, he said. “I’m not out to be a showman, I want to solve the problem,” Mr. Jones said, adding some Toronto councillors are supportive of his vision and think it’s a “no-brainer”.
Among them, Scarborough-Rouge River Councillor Chin Lee, who said Mr. Jones’s proposal to convert the Stouffville GO line will benefit residents in Scarborough and Markham as well as those who choose to live in Toronto, but work in Markham.
However, Metrolinx spokesperson Malon Edwards isn’t quite convinced.
Mr. Edwards said funding is an issue, whatever the option is.
He said Mr. Jones’s proposal isn’t possible on the existing Stouffville GO track because the line needs to be upgraded to increase rail service over the next 15 years, in order to have all-day service, two ways, every 20 minutes. That being said, the plan doesn’t have funding, Mr. Edwards said.
Mr. Jones deferred his motion to be discussed at a later day as he said he plans to meet with the general manager of TTC, TTC chairperson Councillor Karen Stintz and other Toronto councillors.
The matter is set for a workshop with town council May 2.