SoVote

Decentralized Democracy

Hon. Stan Cho

  • MPP
  • Member of Provincial Parliament
  • Willowdale
  • Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario
  • Ontario
  • 111 Sheppard Ave. W North York, ON M2N 1M7
  • tel: 416-733-7878
  • fax: 416-733-7709
  • Stan.Cho@pc.ola.org

  • Government Page
  • Apr/17/23 11:30:00 a.m.

The member is right. It should be easier to tap and get down to watch the Leafs win the cup this year when you’re taking public transit, Speaker. That’s what we’re doing. Through last summer and this winter, we introduced credit card tap on the Presto across GO and the 905. Speaker, I’m glad to say that across participating agencies, riders have now tapped with their credit cards one million times.

It doesn’t stop there, though. Metrolinx is now also working to implement debit card tap very soon in the 905 and across the GO network. What’s more, Metrolinx, on behalf of our government, has done great work with the TTC to update Presto devices so both credit card and debit tap payment features can be brought to the hard-working people of the Six later this year.

Speaker, it’s not enough just to build record transit, which we’re doing under the leadership of this Premier. We’re bringing game-changing initiatives, making it easier for connecting to the grid and getting down to watch our boys in blue.

In contrast to the previous Liberal government, with its transit hikes over six straight years when they were in power, Metrolinx, under our government, has not increased transit fares for the past four years.

What’s more, our GO affordability pilot provided a 50% reimbursement for applicable GO riders in Peel region.

We’re also delivering for the hard-working youth and students of this province, because no matter where you’re enrolled, if you’re between the ages of 13 and 19, we nearly doubled the youth and post-secondary discount—up to 40% off the standard fare on GO and UP Express.

Let’s not forget that we eliminated double fares for riders connecting to GO Transit and major 905 transit agencies, saving up to $1,800 a year, making it more affordable to get down to watch our Jays in action this summer or wherever you need to go.

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  • Mar/6/23 11:10:00 a.m.

Thank you to the member for the question and his outstanding work on behalf of the residents of Whitby.

Speaker, I’m really happy to let that member know that Metrolinx will be announcing the successful construction manager of the transformational Bowmanville GO extension later this spring. This successful manager will be chosen from the four candidates that were short-listed by Metrolinx following a very promising proposal window that was closed last October. This is a major step that our government is taking in delivering that game-changing commuting service for GO Transit, for the people of Durham, with two-way, all-day rail service to Bowmanville. In fact, our 20-kilometre extension of the Lakeshore East line will make it easier for people to connect to local transit, work, health care, education and other critical services across Durham region.

Speaker, while the opposition widened the transit gap for decades, this government is getting it done for the great people of Durham.

As next steps, Metrolinx will continue to work to advance infrastructure and service planning while engaging with Durham region to make sure that we can deliver this vital project. Speaker, this is going to be a game-changer for the people of Durham region.

The Bowmanville GO extension means that commuters will be able to take a train every 30 minutes and go back and forth to Union station, Bowmanville GO and everything in between. What’s more, the riders will save 15 minutes in their commutes along the corridor, so they can more easily get to work, appointments, wherever it is that they need to go.

It’s clear that the NDP, when they propped up the Liberals for decades, did nothing to build transit. This is the only government getting it done for the people of Durham and for commuters in Ontario.

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