(The Toronto Star published the following article by Tim Harper on March 24.)
OTTAWA — GO Transit will receive $1.2 billion over five years to improve and extend rail service throughout the GTA and southern Ontario and allow it to serve 40 per cent more commuters by 2008, government sources said yesterday.
The money will be cost-shared by the federal Liberals, the provincial government and municipalities and has been in the works for three years
The improvements will stretch from Hamilton to Oshawa and from Peterborough to Barrie, the government sources say.
The new Peterborough and Barrie links are key to the plan, which the federal government also hopes will take some of the pressure off the overtaxed 401-400 highway system and begin to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by getting some cars off the highway.
Service will be doubled from Union Station to Markham, Stouffville and Richmond Hill and be increased to Brampton and Georgetown, the sources said.
It will also allow full-day VIA rail service from Union Station to Hamilton, expanding upon the morning and evening service now available.
The federal government has been poised to make the announcement in the federal budget, but Liberal insiders say they were stymied by the government of Tory Premier Ernie Eves during the run-up to an expected Ontario provincial election.
As part of this plan, government sources said, Transport Minister David Collenette will publicly call for tenders for a much-anticipated rail link between Union Station and Pearson International Airport.
Four bidders have already expressed interest in the project.
As part of the $1.2 billion spending, Ottawa has agreed to share, with the province and municipal governments, an initial commitment of $150 million for the York Region Transit Plan.