GO Transit is the commuter rail operator for the Greater Toronto Area. Historically, it has added station parking in line with demand. However, recent and planned service increases mean the existing proportion of park-and-ride passengers cannot be sustained. Metrolinx (the parent agency of GO Transit) wished to identify problems and solutions associated with other access modes, in order to support their use.
How we helped
Consequently, Steer was commissioned to conduct a comprehensive review of existing access arrangements at all stations. This included station profiles detailing the current issues for access by each mode (walking, cycling, transit, pickup/drop-off, park and ride) and how these issues will change with the increased service levels. These profiles will act as a one-stop reference document for the client in their future work.
We consulted with 35 municipalities through a series of workshops, to understand the wider issues, policies and plans for each station and the surrounding area. This included land use changes that are expected with the introduction of frequent two-way all-day service.
Successes and outcomes
The network-level issues were then summarized in a series of mode-specific topic papers, written for the client’s senior management team. This ensures they are aware of the strategic issues, which can then be incorporated into their team’s work.
The results of this work will result in appropriate investment in station access facilities, leading more sustainable access mode split.