Today’s other big news, via an article in the Globe by Kelly Grant:
The long-awaited express rail line between Toronto’s Union station and Pearson airport should be electrified, but not in time for its opening before the 2015 Pan Am Games, according to Metrolinx.
The province’s regional transportation agency is recommending Queen’s Park spend $1.6-$1.8-billion to upgrade GO Transit’s Lakeshore and Georgetown corridors from diesel to electric trains, with the air-rail link being switched over first.
via Electrify Pearson rail link after Pan Am Games: Metrolinx – The Globe and Mail.
I’ve been a bit concerned that the Clean Train Coalition, who have really played up the whole diesel-trains-will-kill-our-children thing, is too much of a NIMBY group to take seriously, but there’s no doubt that electrifying the GO lines will be a good thing for everyone. Faster trains, better service, and better for the environment.
The slow implementation timeline is concerning, though. Metrolinx and the province are far too reluctant to push for necessary investments in transit infrastructure.
Tags: provincial matters, transit