Milton Council Gives Feedback on Metrolinx Draft Transportation Plan

By: Laura Steiner

Milton Council heard from Metrolinx on their draft regional transit plan at their October 30 meeting.  A delegation heard feedback from Councillors regarding parking, and a full-day GO service.

Councillor Zeeshan Hamid actively uses transit on a daily basis.  He finds the parking lot full most mornings, and has found himself driving to Oakville.  Hamid took his opportunity to ask about a parking garage.

“We are getting away from parking garages.”  Antoine Belaieff, Director of Regional Planning said citing the problem of what to do with them, when they are no longer needed.  Milton has an estimated 1400 parking spaces.  Metrolinx is calling for that to increase to 2300, and is investigating areas on the south side.  An announcement is expected quickly, but it won’t be built for another 2-3 years.

Full-day service on the Milton line was part of an initial “Big Move” transit plan in 2008.  Expansion was scheduled to happen by 2031.  Earlier this year, it was announced that would be moved back to 2041.  “This has been going on for 10 years.  It just seems as if Milton was pushed off down the road.  We’ve been ignored.”  Councillor Mike Cluett said.

Canada Pacific (CP) and Canadian National (CN) own sections of the Milton line.  “We’re completely  Councillor Colin Best revealed he counted 6-8 trains passing through between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m on a weekday.  “Don’t tell me you can’t put additional trains on,” he said.  The Town is trying to press for a meeting between CP officials and Mayor Gord Krantz, and CAO Bill Man.

Metrolinx faced criticism over their public consultation.  A roundtable was held October 16, 2017, the same night as Milton Council’s meeting.  “Will there be a chance to hear Milton stories?” Cluett asked.  Belaieff claimed a single Milton resident took part in the study.

The agency forecasts what they call ‘significant growth’.  Milton’s population is expected to hit 230,000 by 2031, and 400,000 by 2041.