RC107 JulyAugust2023 - Magazine - Page 8
LEADERSHIP
TRANSIT PROGRESS
Metrolinx’s Phil Verster on building an integrated
regional transit system in the Greater Golden Horseshoe
by John Tenpenny
ETROLINX, AN ONTARIO GOVERNMENT AGENCY, is currently
undertaking one of the largest transit expansion programs in North America, estimated at
$75 billion over the next 20 years. The capital
plan includes light rail transit (LRT) projects
such as the Eglinton Crosstown, Finch West
and the Hurontario LRT, as well as subway projects like
the Ontario Line and Scarborough Subway Extension.
Also underway is the GO Expansion program consisting
of early works and off-corridor projects, including station renovations, expansions and improvements, grade
separations, bridge and tunnel expansions and maintenance facilities. The goal is to offer more service with
faster trains, more stations, and seamless connections to a
regional rapid transit network.
Leading this unprecedented transit expansion is
Metrolinx president and CEO Phil Verster. Recently,
Verster was invited by the Empire Club of Canada to sit
down to talk about how Metrolinx is working together
with communities to build and deliver a seamless
transportation network, getting people where they need
to go better, faster, and easier.
Prior to joining Metrolinx in 2017, Verster managed
train operations, infrastructure builds and infrastructure
management for passenger rail systems in England,
Scotland, and Ireland.
With his extensive international work experience,
Verster was asked about how to bring Toronto’s transit
system to the same level as some of Europe’s world class
systems.
“All extensive transit systems have one feature
in common and that is these systems are developed
consistently, continuously over many years,” said
Verster. “And so, the current mandate we’ve got is
very ambitious, very challenging and is intended to
give transit a huge step forward. But if we are going
to develop transit to be solutions that really meet the
economic requirements of a region, this must be a
continuous program over many years, consistently in
terms of how we consult with communities, how we
implement, and how we build.
John Tenpenny is the
editor of ReNew Canada.
john@actualmedia.ca
8
RENEW CANADA – JULY/AUGUST 2023
THE EMPIRE CLUB OF CANADA
M
Metrolinx president and CEO Phil Verster recently appeared at The Empire
Club of Canada to discuss working with communities to build and deliver a
seamless transportation network.
RENEWCANADA.NET
