Transport Action Ontario

Towards a rational, province-wide sustainable transport system
Transport Action Ontario
About us
Transport Action Ontario advocates for environmentally, socially and economically sustainable public transportation and freight movement.

We promote:

  • Increased and consistent government support for intercity passenger rail
  • Expansion and improvement of urban transit in Ontario's cities and towns
  • Effective regional transportation systems based on sustainable modes of rail and bus, and reduced highway construction
  • Safety of the travelling public
  • Access for the disabled in every mode of transportation
  • Increased goods movement by rail and intermodal transportation
  • Public understanding of the true cost of unsustainable modes of transportation
  • Protection of abandoned rail lines
  • Land use policies that promote liveable communities and limit urban sprawl
Join us
Join Transport Action Ontario today. Not only will it help us fight for sensible transportation, you will also be informed of the events and issues that are of concern to Ontarians on the move.

A $20 initial year introductory rate for new members is available - please see our Introductory Membership Application (PDF format) for further details.

A regular Individual membership is $35 per year and provides a subscription to both the Ontario and National Transport Action publications. Annual Family memberships are $55. There are other membership options, please contact us at the address or e-mail below.

Our Board...
2010-2011 Executive

President:
Peter Miasek
Vice-President:
Tony Turrittin
Treasurer:
Avrum Regenstreif
Membership Secretary:
Dan Hammond
Recording Secretary:
Bruce Budd
Past President:
Natalie Litwin
Members at Large:
Richard Crawford
Elizabeth Hill
Ed Levy
David Scott
Doug Wilson
Gordon Woodmansey

Ottawa O-Train

Diesel light rail, like Ottawa's O-Train demonstrates a cost-effective commuter rail/rapid transit solution for many Canadian communities.

(Photo: Wikipedia/Earl Andrew)

Call to end DRIC - news conference coverage
Transport Action Ontario joined with Sierra Club Ontario at Queen's Park to call for the scrapping of the $5 billion DRIC international road bridge project between Windsor and Detroit.

A report of the news conference was carried in the Windsor Star (14 May 2010): "Windsor DRIC bridge should be kiboshed, say green groups".

However, please see Transport Action's clarification message: Misunderstanding in Report in Windsor Star.

Additional background: original media release: "$550 Million for DRIC Bridge an Act of Desperation" (11 May 2010)

[25 May 2010]

Advocacy Project Summaries
Transport Action Ontario is currently involved in various important advocacy projects. Project Summary Sheets are given below. We welcome the comments and support of our members and visitors on these projects.

Highway/Bridge Projects

Urban Transit Projects

Intercity Rail/Bus Projects

[14 May 2010]
DRIC forum summary
Transport Action Ontario held its Annual Meeting and afternoon forum in Toronto on 27 March 2010.

Copies of presentations at the Detroit River International Crossing (DRIC) forum are now available here, (in PowerPoint slide format):

[25 July 2010]
GTHA Transportation Investment Strategy - The Case for Action NOW
Presenting - a position paper from Transport Action Ontario (formerly Transport 2000): GTHA Transportation Investment Strategy - The Case for Action NOW November, 2009

Introductory remarks from the position paper:

"Public transit provides many economic, social and environmental benefits. However, this very important service comes with a significant price tag! Work needs to start NOW on developing sources of dedicated, stable and predictable capital and operating funding."

"Roads are also important for goods movement, transit movement and for trips that cannot be efficiently achieved by transit. Surprisingly, existing revenue sources for roads are also falling short."

[5 March 2010]

A New Name for a New Decade
We are pleased to report that on 29 December 2009 the Province of Ontario authorized Transport 2000 Ontario to change its name to Transport Action Ontario. This change harmonizes our name with Transport Action Canada, formerly Transport 2000 Canada. The Atlantic, Prairie and British Columbia regions are in the process of following suit. In order to avoid confusion, our website will be accessible under both names.

[4 January 2010]

Transport Action Ontario President issues statement on Detroit River International Crossing (DRIC)
Natalie Litwin, President of Transport Action Ontario (formerly Transport 2000 Ontario), issued a statement regarding plans for a new Detroit-Windsor international road crossing. The text is available as "Detroit River International Crossing Project (DRIC) – Expensive, Unnecessary, and Costly to the Environment".

Additional background and reaction to DRIC is also available from the joint submission to Ontario Minister of the Environment John Gerretsen from a coalition of Canadian and American NGOs including Transport Action (2000).

[31 October 2009]

Rail Ways to the Future report
The Rail Ways to the Future 2008 report is available, highlighting the issues and projects by Transport Action's RWTF committee in the past year.

[21 May 2009]

407 Alternatives
Transport Action (formerly 2000) and Shift react to 407 East extension plans with their response: Alternatives to the 407 East Freeway Undertaking.

[20 November 2008]

Reply to Metrolinx Regional Transit Plan
On 12 November 2008, Transport 2000 Ontario in conjunction with Shift Ontario (formerly the Sustainable Transportation Coalition) submitted comments on the Draft Regional Transportation Plan and Investment Strategy that was issued by Toronto regional transport authority Metrolinx.

[14 November 2008]

Driving and Cellphone Usage
With the recent news items regarding cellphone usage and driving, it is still useful to consider the February 2001 paper Phoning and Driving Don't Mix: A Case for Banning the Use of Wireless Devices in Moving Vehicles

[20 September 2008]

Affordable rail transit in the GTA
Report on GTA rapid transit (under former name of Transport 2000 Ontario):

GT-Rail: Attractive and Affordable Rapid Transit Across the GTA: A Submission to the Greater Toronto Transportation Authority. report here (PDF format, 701 kb, 1 June 2007).

[1 June 2007]

Alternatives to Pickering Airport
Plans are once again being rumoured for a Pickering Airport east of Toronto. Meanwhile other more effective transportation options such as rail and transit services are ignored. Transport Action Ontario is keeping watch over developments. For background, review our response to 2005's Pickering Airport Draft Plan Report.

[16 November 2006]

Announcements...
Board Meetings

Transport Action Ontario business is conducted at monthly board meetings, normally in Toronto. Contact Transport Action Ontario for details, dates and locations (contact information is below).

Ontario Report

If you wish to receive our publication, issued six times per year, it is available by joining Transport Action Ontario. Please see Join us in the left column for further information on becoming a member.

For the convenience of visitors, a selection of reports that precede our most recent report are available below.

May-June 2010

March-April 2010

January-February 2010

November-December 2009

September-October 2009

July-August 2009

May-June 2009

March-April 2009

January-February 2009

November-December 2008

September-October 2008

July-August 2008

May-June 2008

March-April 2008

January-February 2008

[27 August 2010]

Transport Action Ontario, Box 6418, Station A, Toronto, ON M5W 1X3 Tel: (416) 504.3934 Toll-free: 1 866 542.1067 - - - Click here to email us...
Transport Action Regions... National BC Prairies Ontario Quebec Atlantic