OneCity: Will it see the light of day?

June 29th, 2012

one city toronto transit

We’ve been paying close attention to all the news surrounding the OneCity transit plan. If approved, OneCity will have a huge impact on all Torontonians for the next 30 years and beyond. We’re particularly interested in seeing how OneCity will affect the Yonge and Eglinton area and the residents of E Condos.

Here’s a quick round up of some of the news coverage on OneCity that caught our attention.

  • According to Metro Toronto, OneCity transit will radically transform Toronto but it’s unlikely to be built. This is largely because some of the projects don’t deserve immediate attention and the proposed revenue model is at least a half-step short of where it should be. The city shouldn’t keep relying on property taxes as its only major revenue driver. 
  • If the province approves a plan to devote property tax to transit expansion,  taxes will go up about 2 per cent next year says the Toronto Star. “It’s not just homes that will be taxed. It will be all classes in the city”. In addition, Torontonians should expect the inevitable traffic delays. Metrolinx warns that the region’s 82-minute average commute is on track to increase by 30 per cent. That means we could be spending 109 minutes a day just getting to and from work.
  • The CBC has reported that the Ontario government won’t back OneCity. The provincial minister of transportation and infrastructure, Bob Chiarelli, has said that the idea would require legislative changes and that the congested city can’t afford any further delays.
  • Interestingly, in a poll conducted by Metro Toronto, 71.64% have stated that they agree with the OneCity transit plan. Source.
Will it see the light of day? Only time will tell. But we’ll keep paying close attention to all the coverage that pours in.