METROLINX
Smart Commute Overview for TABIA & City of Toronto
Greg McGovern
Senior Advisor
Planning & Policy
November 17, 2015
METROLINX OVERVIEW
Metrolinx was created as an agency of the
Government of Ontario under the Metrolinx
Act in 2006.
Developed to improve the coordination and
integration of all modes of transportation in
the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.
Metrolinx Mission
To champion, develop and implement an
integrated transportation system for our
region that enhances prosperity,
sustainability and quality of life.
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ORGANIZATIONAL BREAKDOWN
Plan
we shape the regional transportation
system so it is modern, efficient and
integrated, now and into the future
Deliver
we are builders, buyers and managers
of infrastructure
Operate
through our three operating divisions,
we help the public move across our
region every day, with a focus on
customer service excellence
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METROLINX IN TRANSITION
Regional Context
Exponential growth: By 2031, the population is estimated to grow to 8.6 million people – all of whom will
need to move around
Increasing congestion: Trips made during the peak travel period will grow from over 2 million today to
over 3 million by 2031.
Government Commitment
Regional Express Rail (RER): Grow the GO Transit network
toward two-way, all-day service
Regional Transportation Plan (RTP): Full legislative review
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METROLINX IN TRANSITION
Regional Context
Largest infrastructure investment in Ontario
Fundamentally changing our business from a
commuter based system to an all day rapid
transit service
Expected customer increase of 2-4x current
levels depending on train corridor
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SMART COMMUTE OVERVIEW
Our Vision
Work with infrastructure development to transform the way the region
moves and to maximize use of the existing transportation network.
Our Mission
Achieve measurable travel behaviour change through high quality and
cost effective Transportation Demand Management (TDM) programing
and solutions
The Smart Commute
program is plays a key part
in many aspects of The Big
Move
#2 – Enhance and expand
active transportation
#3 – Improve the efficiency
of the road network
Our Goals
Make a measurable impact in the GTHA region, reducing congestion,
resulting in positive economic, health, environmental benefits; more
importantly, improving the quality of life for residents of the GTHA
#4 – Create an ambitious
transportation demand
management program
#7 – Build communities that
are pedestrian, cycling and
transit supportive
Transportation Demand Management
Maximize the utilization of GTHA transportation network through program leadership
Reduce congestion | Climate Change | Increase Quality of Life
Research Support
School Board Training
Individualized School Plans
Regional Planning Support
School Events & Campaigns
Active & Sustainable
School Program
School Travel Planning
Hurontario LRT
Hamilton LRT
Station Travel Planning
TDM Committee
Car Pool 2 GO
Green Zone
Bike Share
Zip Car
Eglington Cross Town
Construction
Mitigation
Station Access
Dynamic Transit
Custom Projects
Data Collection
Active Transport
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Public Transit
•
•
•
Program
Development
Research
Best Practices
Consumer
Behaviour
Marketing /
Communications
Workplace Program
Car Pool
•
School
Community
Workplace
Telework
Cross Program
Support
SMART COMMUTE VALUE
Program centric approach to congestion and environment
•
•
•
•
Maximizes impact of infrastructure
advancements
Low cost of entry
Quick adoption rates
Highly flexible
Supports core infrastructure growth initiatives
•
•
Supports station access beyond parking
Supports construction mitigation
Direct link to the community which Metrolinx serves
Can create impacts quickly, allowing time for infrastructure
to come online
SMART COMMUTE WORKPLACE PROGRAM
Workplace Program Details:
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•
13 TMA Partners across the GTHA
•
Serve an estimated 340 companies,
representing an estimated 730,000
total commuters
•
Focus is to reduce total SOV trips
within businesses across the GTHA
•
Business case review indicates
strong results:
•
Network-wide reduction of 2% in lone
drivers at member businesses
•
Increase use of active transportation
& carpooling
WORKPLACE PROGRAM OFFERINGS
Events – Workplace events to
create awareness as to
alternative commuting options
Tools – Technology tools
which support the program
offering (Carpool Matching)
Designations – Recognize
workplaces’ sustainable
travel initiatives through
awards and designations
Best Practices – Share best
practices with companies to
replicate in their environments
(telework)
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Campaigns – 4 major
campaigns with prizing to
encourage behavioural switch
Programs – Specific needsbased programs to support
workers who use sustainable
transportation (Emergency
Ride Home)
Workshops – Information sessions
(bike repair, etc.) for people to learn
about topics related to sustainable
commuting options
Future Developments – Continue
to work with the TMAs regarding
new ideas for sustainable
transportation alternatives
PAN AM GAMES OPPORTUNITY
Metrolinx goals:
Provide spectator transportation while maintaining
services for residents and businesses
•
Showcase the region
•
Create a legacy for infrastructure, coordination
and sustainability
Metrolinx roles:
•
Transport for spectators, visitors, Games
workforce, GTHA residents and employees
•
Region-wide travel information and
Transportation Demand Management (TDM)
SMART COMMUTE MEMBER SUPPORT
WHAT IT
MEANS
SMART
COMMUTE
MEMBER
SUPPORT
REDUCE
RE-TIME
RE-MODE
REROUTE
Minimize the need
to travel
Shift travel to times
with less
congestion
Shift driving trips to
other modes
Shift travel to routes
with less
congestion
Information and
support to shift
employee hours
earlier to avoid
Games congestion
Encourage
employees to:
• Form 3+
carpools
• Take transit
• Bike to work or
to GO/local
transit
Information to help
businesses near
venues avoid road
closures or parking
restrictions
Support for
telework pilots,
fast-tracking
implementation for
the Games
Businesses were encouraged to determine the best strategies for their particular workplace
SMART COMMUTE GAMES SERVICE
A specific service for workplaces beyond our membership to support the
development and implementation of Games Travel Plans which included:
•
•
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•
Workplace policy and infrastructure assessment
Access to Smart Commute tool for travel planning
Games information package
Recommended action plan
Unique opportunity to reach new audiences, and create broader travel
behaviour changes. Games Service participants had option of full membership
post-Games
PAN AM GAMES RESULTS
SMART COMMUTE RESULTS
Our Results
•
Workplace program has reduced SOV travel by approximately 40
million Vehicle Kilometres Travelled (VKT) in the GTHA annually
•
The workplace program has an estimated benefit cost ratio
(BCR) of 6:1
•
Over 16,500 school aged children participated in the inaugural
‘GTHA Bike to School Week’ in 2015
•
Launched car sharing, carpool parking, and EV charging at GO
stations
•
Dynamic Transit project at Milton which is growing at over 24% /
month
•
Developed and delivered targeted ‘Games Service’ for Pan Am/
Parapan Am Games
HOW TO SUPPORT
“The world is not given by his fathers, but borrowed from his children” Wendell Berry
“70% of Greater Toronto Area residents drive to work. Faced with unrelenting population growth, the
only way to ease Toronto’s gridlock is to push that percentage down considerably.” Canadian Business
Try something…see if it works….
Teleworking
• Increase employee engagement increases productivity
• Does not have to cost anything
• Can offset pay increases
Car Pooling
• Reduces transportation costs for both people
Transit Options
• Reduces employee stress and is safer than driving (risk mitigation)
Support Cycling
• Increases the health and well being of staff
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