Brampton adding fuel to bus plan
Mayor seeking funding from Ottawa, province $230M proposal would improve links to region
It’s got a catchy name — AcceleRide. It’s got a lofty goal — to bring rapid transit to the suburbs. And Brampton Mayor Sue Fennell says it’s starting to get something it’s been lacking — traction. Brampton has been trumpeting its bus rapid transit AcceleRide program since 2003 but only now has the $230 million project begun to be taken seriously in Queen’s Park and Parliament Hill. “We’re finding Brampton’s program is not only well received but well respected and a value- added part of the link to make the whole Toronto area work,” Fennell said. “ Now when people are at the table, everybody knows Brampton has a plan and it’s at the table. We weren’t part of any submission before.” The AcceleRide proposal, now being considered by federal and provincial officials for funding, would better link Brampton to Mississauga, York Region, the TTC and GO Transit by: ‰ Enhancing transit along the east- west Queen St. corridor and the north- south HurontarioMain St. route. ‰ Putting more buses on the road, with key routes having queue-jump lanes, and signal priority. ‰ Having bus stops that would be equipped with real time information displays letting passengers know how long they’ll have to wait for the next bus. Brampton watched with some professional jealousy as York Region parlayed its $ 180 million QuickStart program into its flashy, new Viva bus network along Highway 7 and Yonge St., thanks to $50 million each from Queen’s Park and Ottawa.
Fennell has been making the rounds lately to federal cabinet ministers, trying to get them to understand the need for them to help pay for improved transit in her city because the municipal tax base can’t do it on its own. She said the federal government has identified Brampton as a major centre for immigrant settlement, while Ontario has identified the city as an urban place that will grow.
“ Our roads are already over capacity; our roads are full,” Fennell said. “ We need to add capacity to move people and goods and services throughout the city. The answer is not more and more and more cars.” Brampton, Canada’s 10thlargest city, is beginning to choke on its success. In 2004, Brampton ranked first in Canada for new residential construction and second for total construction. Among Canada’s six fastest-growing cities, Brampton is the only one without a rapid transit system in place.
Other projects requesting federal and provincial funds include a “ transitway” for buses in Mississauga and a light rail project in Kitchener- Waterloo.