What ever happened to the talk of a new approach to transit planning that takes into account the whole GTA region?

A report due this summer was expected to kickstart implementation of a plan. Unfortunately it has been delayed until the Fall. Delays happen, but this wasn't the first time, as it was originally expected in the Spring. July 25th was the second scheduled date the "Regional Transportation Plan" was to have been provided to the Metrolinx board. Now it's moved back to September 26th this year.

Metrolinx, (otherwise known as the Greater Toronto Transportation Authority) is the public authority set up to oversee the new approach to regional transit planning. Not surprisingly, it's been reported that the major holdup is due to reviewing of the funding aspect of the plan.

My guess is that no one, including Metrolinx, knows how a regional plan would be governed. A Toronto Star article this week highlights some of the governance issues at play. It's easy enough to throw together some good investment ideas, and even secure government funding; but it is yet to be seen if Metrolinx will have the political clout to actually push things forward. They'll have to deal with public consultations, not-in-my-backyard reflexes, and politicians at every level clamoring for spending to take place in their jurisdictions.

If you're interested in checking out some of the details of plans drawn up so far, you can visit the Metrolinx Regional Transportation Plan page.

Photo: dutchb0y's photostream