This video gives a detailed explanation of the Waterloo Rapid Transit Plan:
On May 17, 2012, Jim Bradley the Minister of the Environment signed the “MINISTER’S NOTICE TO PROCEED WITH TRANSIT PROJECT” (Ontario Regulation 231108; SUBSECTION 12(l)(a)) allowing the Regional Municipality of Waterloo to proceed with the Rapid Transit Project, in accordance with the applicable environmental project report, which:
- consists of a new 36 kilometre rapid transit system, including
- 19 kilometres of Light Rail Transit (LRT)
- will run from the Conestoga Mall in Waterloo to the Fairview Park Mall in Kitchener
- and 17 kilometres of adapted Bus Rapid Transit (aBRT)
- will run from Kitchener’s Fairview Park Mall to the Ainslie Street Terminal in Cambridge
- 19 kilometres of Light Rail Transit (LRT)
- will link the major urban centres of the City of Cambridge, City of Kitchener and City of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada
- has received $300 million from the McGuinty government, largest single investment in transit infrastructure in the history of the region
- will meet the growing population’s transit demands by 2031
- when Waterloo region’s population will reach 729,000 (an increase of 200,000 people from 2003),
- and employment will grow to 336,000 (an increase of 80,000 jobs).
Therefore, the benefits of increasing public transit for Canadians in Ontario are:
- air quality improvement
- congestion reduction by taking cars off the road
- commuter’s stress alleviation
- and economy betterment by creating jobs for Canadians.
Ontario, Canada: Newsroom
NEWS RELEASE
McGuinty Government Gives Waterloo Rapid Transit Plan The Go-Ahead
May 18, 2012
New Rapid Transit To Link Kitchener, Waterloo And Cambridge
A major rapid transit project in the Waterloo region has been given the environmental green light to proceed.
The Regional Municipality of Waterloo’s rapid transit project was approved Thursday by the Minister of the Environment.
The project, consisting of 36 kilometres of both light-rail and rapid bus lines, will link the area’s three major cities — Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo.
A 19-kilometre light-rail line will run from the Conestoga Mall in Waterloo to the Fairview Park Mall in Kitchener. A 17-kilometre bus rapid transit route will also run from Kitchener’s Fairview Park Mall to the Ainslie Street Terminal in Cambridge.
Increasing public transit is a part of Ontario’s plan to improve air quality and strengthen the economy. A strong economy creates jobs for Ontarians and protects the services that mean most to families – health care and education.
QUOTES
“Waterloo Region has done a good job consulting with interested parties, responding to concerns, protecting the environment and putting together a public transit project which will serve commuters well.”
– Jim Bradley
Minister of the Environment
“This is an important step forward in bringing expanded public transit options to the Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge region. The new LRT and rapid bus lines will help residents get where they need to go, reduce congestion by taking cars off the road, and help protect the environment.”
– Bob Chiarelli
Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation
“Environmental approval of our public transit project is an exciting step forward for Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge. The McGuinty government is coming through for commuters, students and seniors.”
– John Milloy
MPP – Kitchener Centre
QUICK FACTS
- The McGuinty government has provided $300 million to the Region of Waterloo to build rapid transit, the largest single investment in transit infrastructure in the history of the region.
- Since 2003, the provincial government has invested more than $13.4 billion in public transit, including over $6.0 billion in GO Transit.
- In December 2011, GO Transit began daily commuter train service to Kitchener-Waterloo with stops in Guelph and Acton.
- By 2031, Waterloo region’s population will reach 729,000 (an increase of 200,000 people from 2003), and employment will grow to 336,000 (an increase of 80,000 jobs).
LEARN MORE
CONTACT
- Lyndsay Miller
Minister’s Office
416-314-6739
Ministry of the Environment
ontario.ca/environment
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