City staff report recommends approving implementation of the SmartTrack stations

By Irene Preklet and News Staff

SmartTrack is moving full speed ahead.

Mayor John Tory announced the news on Tuesday shortly after city staff released a new report on the implementation of the SmartTrack Stations program and the Metrolinx Regional Express Rail program.

Tory said millions of people in the city will able to use heavy rail to get to where they need to go for the same price as the TTC.

“As the report notes, SmartTrack and Regional Express Rail – the provincial project on which SmartTrack was founded – will transform how heavy rail infrastructure is used within the city and the region to support mobility. Those are the words used by the report written by the city staff,” he said.

Among the details in the report — it recommends city council authorize the city manager to negotiate, approve and execute any agreements necessary for the implementation of the SmartTrack stations program.

Tory said the report shows the cost of SmartTrack remains in the projected budget of $1.2 billion.

“What I said about SmartTrack was that it would be built without a tax increase being imposed on the people of Toronto, a property tax increase, and that is the case,” Tory said.

“The good news that is contained in this report is that the amount of money that will be allocated from city funds is effectively capped at the $1.19 billion.”

The report also recommends that Metrolinx will be responsible for future operating and maintenance costs, including lifecycle maintenance costs.

SmartTrack, which Tory campaigned on during the 2014 mayoral race, will use existing GO Transit lines and, according to a release from the mayor’s office, will “provide a service level of six to ten minute peak service frequencies at six new stations and eight existing stations.”

The report goes to the executive committee next week, then to city council later this month.

To read the complete report, click here.

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