TheBulletin.ca Journal of Downtown Toronto
By Kimberly Spice –
People living near the rail lands were encouraged by Trinity-Spadina MPP Rosario Marchese to go face-to-face with Dalton McGuinty for allowing diesel trains to be used instead of electric on the proposed Air Rail Link (ARL) to Pearson International Airport.
Approximately 25 concerned area residents gathered at the Harbourfront Community Centre on Aug. 24 for a Condo Owners Association (COA) meeting to hear the benefits of electric trains over diesel and what they can do to persuade the government to go the green way.
“A face-to-face meeting is by far, in my mind, a much more powerful influence than a fax or an email or letter,” said Marchese, pointing out that elections are coming up. “That’s what I recommend in the way of pressure.”
The ARL is set to be up and operational for the 2015 Pan Games but an environmental study is needed before the use of electric trains can be approved.
While electric trains would seem to be the green choice, Metrolinx, who will build, own and operate the Air Link that will run from Union Station to Pearson, are currently planning to use diesel.
“They (Metrolinx) conceived this massive study that’s over GO’s entire network,” Keith Brooks from Clean Train Coalition (CTC) told residents. “It’s going to take a year to complete, it’s costing $4 million and it’s not even going to produce any recommendations.”
At a transit-specific meeting the previous night, Gary McNeil, managing director of GO Transit, recognized the significance of electrification but continued to support diesel trains due to the imposing deadline.
“I’m not opposed to electrification,” McNeil claimed adding regret that GO Transit did not start out electric. “But we’ve got a complete system of diesel network; it’s very expensive to switch.”
The Air Rail Link will increase train traffic from an average 50 per day coming into the Downtown core to 150.
Other train traffic will eventually increase train numbers to 450 as Metrolinx grows in the GTA adding to residents concerns about increased noise and pollution.
Electric trains do come with a higher price tag but according to Brooks the trains have less operational expenses so the savings will result in recovering that extra expense in 10 years time.
“Metrolinx commissioned a Lakeshore line study that concluded a $1 billion cost offset by $100 million in saving a year,” said Brooks. “In 10 years it will be paid for, and then it’s a savings.”
Brooks and Linda Pinizzotto, founder of the COA, said that for any kind of success more people must get involved now because time is running out.
“Electrification is a no brainer,” one senior told the audience and panel. “We’re told it will happen sooner or later. Well, when you get older there ain’t much later left.”
For more information visit www.coatoronto.com or www.cleantrain.ca.
