Metrolinx (or the Greater Toronto Transportation Authority) wants your input on "mobility hubs" and "active transportation".

For those not familiar with the lingo, a "Mobility Hub" is a place that brings together many forms of transit - cars, public transit, bicycles and pedestrians and helps to make the transition from one to another smoother.

"Active Transportation" is human-powered methods of transportation, like walking, cycling, and roller blading.

If you have ideas on how to create a better transportation system for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area, Metrolinx wants to hear from you. Metrolinx today issued two Green Papers, focusing on mobility hubs and active transportation.

Both Green Papers have been posted for public review and comment on Metrolinx's interactive consultation website at http://metrolinx-consult.limehouse.com/portal. Metrolinx staff will be meeting broadly with stakeholder organizations to gather further input for a comprehensive Regional Transportation Plan.

"The release of these papers is intended to provoke discussion throughout the community on a wide range of ideas and policy options for improving transportation in our region," said Metrolinx Chair Rob MacIsaac. "We want people to tell us what they think will work, and what they think won't work. We are determined to get this right."

Check out the Metrolinx feedback site for yourself and be sure and give them feedback and ideas.

Here are the basics of the two Green Papers:

Mobility Hubs Green Paper
Sets out concepts and questions around mobility hubs - key points of intersection between various forms of transportation.

"Creating easier links between walking, cycling, auto use and public transit is a key element in improving people's ability to get around," MacIsaac said. "These hubs often foster vibrant employment and residential areas, and draw amenities such as entertainment, shopping and family services to their vicinity. This mix of land use and transportation can be mutually supportive and should be encouraged." (more)


Active Transportation Green Paper
Deals with active transportation - human-powered travel, such as walking and cycling.

"We have engineered walking and cycling out of many parts of our region and it has had very negative consequences. Our environment and our health have suffered because we can't do as much as buy a cup of coffee without using our cars. Other cold climate cities do a much better job of encouraging - and enabling - people to walk or cycle. We're looking for ways to make active transportation a much more important part of the way we get around," MacIsaac said.

Potential innovations cited in the Green Paper to encourage active transportation include ideas like "road diets" - narrowing existing roadways for bicycle lanes and sidewalks - in high pedestrian areas, "bike-n-ride" parking spots at subway stations, and self-service bicycle-rental stalls at subway stations (for passengers who need a bike at both ends of the trip).

"We are open to whatever ideas will work to improve the transportation system, at every level," MacIsaac said. (more)

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