Transportation Master Plan provides30-year strategy for York Region

NEWMARKET – The York Region Transportation Master Plan (TMP), a 30-year strategy for ensuring the safe and efficient movement of people and goods throughout the region, was approved by York Regional Council today.

"Gridlock is a growing problem that affects both business and lifestyle", said Regional Chair and CEO Bill Fisch. "This strategy will ensure a high quality of life for our residents and provide a basis for long-term economic success."

Ten categories of improvement have been identified in the Transportation Master Plan:

• Improve rapid transit services in urban York Region
• Expand GO Transit commuter rail service
• Open additional GO Transit rail stations
• Provide key gateways to the transit network
• Establish a grid of supporting bus services
• Provide traffic signal priority for transit, plus reserved bus lanes and high-occupancy vehicle lanes
• Create a system of commuter parking lots
• Provide rural bus routes that connect outlying communities with urban centres and rapid transit services
• Provide local transit service in outlying communities
• Provide separate services for those unable to use conventional transit

The TMP involved months of public consultations. Draft copies were sent to neighbouring municipalities and interested stakeholders, presentations were made to area businesses and four public consultations were held in Georgina, Markham, Newmarket and Vaughan. Feedback from these consultations was included in final draft.

 For more information on The Regional Municipality of York, the services we offer and links to our nine area municipalities, please visit our Web site at: www.region.york.on.ca.

Contact: Michael Kemp, Corporate Communications Services, York Region

• (905) 830-4444 or 1-877-464-9675, ext. 1232
• Email: michael.kemp@region.york.on.ca

Contact: Patrick Casey, Senior Media Relations Specialist, York Region

• (905) 830-4444, ext. 1235
• Email: patrick.casey@region.york.on.ca