On Sunday, it was reported that Metrolinx ignored and buried seven separate studies that were commissioned in the years before the launch of the Union Pearson
Transit riders cannot trust Metrolinx
Transit riders cannot trust Metrolinx
Express (UPX). All seven reports warned that riders would not use UPX in large
numbers if the fares were too high.
In the last twelve months, we repeatedly called for Metrolinx to release UPX ridership studies. Metrolinx and the Liberal government kept them secret, even when it was obvious that the train was running empty. In the end, after our organizing and public pressure, we forced Metrolinx to lower the fares.
Nonetheless, these secretive, unaccountable actions are part of Metrolinx's long history of making decisions about public transit that benefit a few Bay Street executives and ignore the majority of transit riders. The Union Pearson Express still doesn't stop in many of the neighbourhoods where the train service runs, and Metrolinx has ignored calls from residents to use environmentally-friendly, electrified vehicles.
Metrolinx continues to prioritize low-value, boutique transit, building pet projects for the Premier, and then covering up for her, instead of building true public transit for the people who pay the bills.