electrification
metrolinx and the provincial government have promised to electrify the expanded tracks
But right now we have more questions than answers: Is this the new track only? All tracks? What’s the timeline?
The current provincial government hasn’t reiterated the past priority of electrification and we have heard from provincial politicians that Metrolinx has quietly abandoned their plans for electrification. There is no confirmation available on the Metrolinx website, but it’s clear that electrification of the tracks is in jeopardy. The electrification promise was the underpinning of the Environmental Assessment that the RER is based on so this change will have a fundamental effect on the environmental impact of the track expansion.
Current transit increases are done with existing diesel infrastructure
As we’ve noted elsewhere, the Ontario Provincial government continues to increase transit service along the Lakeshore East line (pushing toward near-constant 15-minute service frequency).
The new trains being added are all diesel so the diesel infrastructure continues to grow while plans for electrification of the Lakeshore line remain unarticulated. We have not seen any studies done on the environmental, noise and vibration impact of this increased diesel service - it’s a done deal. And the safety gap created by this increase needs to be addressed as soon as possible.
It is imperative that the electrification process continues to be a priority of both Metrolinx and the Provincial government; but all current indications are that the government does not plan to electrify the tracks.