j ‘ Municipal, gas tax could beon way to pay for new transit 5396 Highway #7, Markham m 1 per cent of that and make it a municipal sales tax,†Mr. Fisch said. “When'the GST went down the second time, I said we should take “We’ll need four or ï¬ve billion dollars per year over the next 20 years (through- out the GI‘A)," he said. “The bottom line is that no matter what level of govem- ment it comes from, it all comes from us as taxpayers." That’s the word from York region- al chairperson and Metrolinx board member Bill Fisch, who said York Region can expect a whole host of beneï¬ts when the regional transporta- tion plan is ï¬nalized this fall, but cau- tioned the improved initiatives may cost more than $100 billion when all is said and done, which means taxpay- ers will likely have to shell out more to make the plans a reality. ing, increased transit fares and the cre- ation of a 1’ per cent municipal sales To raise the $100 billion needed Metrolinx, formerly the Greater 'Ibronto Transportation Authority, is looking at a variety of strategies to fund new and improved transit projects. They include }: ZO-cent tax on fuel, yoad_ tolls, feqs on non-residential park- BY SEAN PEARCE Staff Writer Metrolinx’s plans might be just the ticket to combat congestion in the GTA, but York Region residents shouldn’t expect a free ride along the way. 14 ‘W Sun-Mne- Thwsday, July 10,2008 Allâ€"day GO trains. bus ways in plans MS’RP’W’ 7' 7‘ " M 7m CASH CLEARANCE {26,35 MSBP $23M CASH CLEARANCE $8,495 Indirectly, York Region residents will also win as Metrolinx’s initiatives will allow them to travel to Toronto and other destinations much more quickly and efliciently. The introduction of the Presto smart card to the region in 2010 will also make transit a much easier method of travel, Mr. Fisch added. York Region residents can expect to directly beneï¬t from the construction of a network of dedicated bus rapidways, the institution of all-day, two-way ser- vice on GO Transit's rail lines and other service enhancements. Building the transportation network of the future is a costly endeavour, but residents can rest assured there will be plenty of bang for the buck, Mr. Fisch Even if Metrolinx had the entire $17.5 billion announced last June in its colfers, it would still likely require an additional $82.5 billion over the next two decades. As it stands. Metrolinx has assur- ances of about $12 billion in funding from the province, as part of MoveOn- tario 2020, but is still waiting for a com- mitment of nearly $6 billion from the federal government. Metrolinx also plans to continue lob- bying the province and federal govem- ment for mom; funding. Those are just a select few of the pos- sible funding strategies Metrolinx may end up employing to ï¬nance the proj- ects it will outline in its plan and each is expected to generate $1 billion per year toward them. “For us, we would have taken it as a transportation tax" Even so, there’s still a lot more work "88? W 7 CASH CLEARANCE $6,595 MSRP'M CASH CLEARANCE $3,595 CASH CLEARANCE £9,195 MSRP W" 7 flï¬vw CASH CLEARANCE £5,795 One of his big concerns is Metrolinx's plans have not included a way for tran- sit riders to cross from York Region to Toronto, and vice versa, without paying a second fare. His other concern is Steeles Avenue. “Steeles would be the best place for light rail or bus rapid transit," Mr. Heath said. “We are running rapid tran- sit up on Hwy. 7, but Steeles Avenue is the border between York Region and Toronto and also runs into Durham and Peel (regions) and yet there’s nothing planned for it.†At the ï¬nal meeting of York Region- al COuncil before the summer break, Markham Regional Councillor lack Heath expressed concerns the propos- als contained in the white papers were too Toronto-centric. Toronto is important, Mr. Heath said, but the big picture must be taken into account. Such uncertainties surrounding key projects proposed for this area has led to some on regional council to express concerns York Region might be getting left behind at the bargaining table. “I’m very hopeful that it will get approved so we can get started on the process by next year. I'm very encour- aged bythe fact the ‘quick wins’ included funding for the automated track signals, which is a precursor to building it.†“The Yonge Street subWay has not been approved by Metrolinx yet," he said. to be done, Mr. Fisch said. The need for the Bradford Bypass and extensions of Hwy. 404 and Hwy. 427 still need to be discussed as does ï¬nalizing the details for the Yonge Street subway extension. MSRP W "SAP W ' CASH CLEARANCE $29 095 The Yonge Street subway hasn’t been approved by Metrolinx, but regional chairperson Bill Fisch hopes to get approval to start the process by next year. All cash prices are plus "eight, PDI. air tax. gas taxi metallic paint protector plus. wheel locks plus 13% GST 8. PST and Incense fees MSRP W CASH CLEARANCE {32,395 MSRP $351450 CASH CLEARANCE $26 495 â€"-â€"___â€"___1_