Mayor calls funds for Viva political

McCallion critical of York’s new bus system Says $100M for transit not based on priority

Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion took one on the chin from a feisty environmentalist yesterday, then came back swinging over stinging criticism that Peel needs to spend more money on public transit. She landed her punch squarely on York Region’s new $ 180 million bus rapid transit system, Viva, saying that senior government funding for the project was awarded based on politics and not priority.

McCallion’s remark was made in response to charges by Therese Taylor of the Sierra Club that Peel Region spends too much money on roads and not enough on transit. The $100 million contribution ($ 50 million each) from the federal and provincial governments would have been better spent on such projects as a proposed bus rapid transit line through south Halton and Peel, where there is greater need, McCallion said, speaking at regional council. The design and environmental studies for that project are complete and it’s ready to proceed as soon as governments provide needed funding, she said. But instead money has been channelled to York due to the efforts of a paid lobbyist, she said, adding she was told that by York Region Chair Bill Fisch.

Mississauga Transit, which serves a population of about 700,000, carries about 25 million passengers a year, while York Region Transit, in an area of close to one million people, carries about 13 million passengers.

McCallion also criticized York for buying “ fancy” Belgian buses that cost $ 30,000 more each than the Canadianmade buses used in Mississauga and Brampton. The Viva initiative is the type of venture that Peel should be launching but instead the region has fallen “ years behind” York at a time when escalating gas prices and climate change make the need for better public transit more critical than ever, Taylor said.

Viva doesn’t replace regular public transit but provides rapid transit service on Yonge St. from Bernard Ave. in Richmond Hill to the Finch Ave. subway station, and on Highway 7 between York University and Town Centre Blvd. in Markham. By Jan. 1, it will be extended north to Newmarket and on Highway 7 from the west at Martin Grove Rd. to the east at McCowan Rd.

Fisch was unavailable for comment, but Patrick Casey, a spokesman for York Region, challenged McCallion’s comments.

“ You just have to take a drive through York Region to see that we have congestion and gridlock issues here as much as the folks elsewhere in the GTA,” Casey said.

It wasn’t politics, but the best proposal, that attracted funding from senior governments, he said.

“ It’s not only an excellent plan for our region, but the best for the GTA. You have to look at the connections it will offer to the other transit systems, such as the TTC and GO and ( in future phases) to Peel and Durham Region.”

Senior governments reviewed the plan extensively before committing the funds, Casey said.

“ They studied a lot of different proposals and at the end of the day they realized the best choice from a financial standpoint was Viva.

“ It’s not politics at all. It’s the need for transit, fast and convenient, in the hub of the GTA that not only benefits the residents and businesses of York Region but the neighbours all around us.”

Casey confirmed that a lobbyist was hired at a cost of $ 83,000 to help sell the proposal to Ottawa and Queen’s Park.