Tuesday, May 7, 2024
In general, “Municipal Transit” refers to public transportation services (and facilities) undertaken by a municipality for travel within a municipality or region, and can incorporate various technologies including bus, streetcar/light rail vehicle, Intermediate Capacity Transit Systems (ICTS), and heavy rail.
For the purposes of Part D of the Municipal Class EA, however, “transit” includes all transit technologies other than heavy rail (subway). Accordingly, new heavy rail lines and maintenance facilities, or extensions of existing heavy rail lines are not included in this transit chapter. Since new, or extensions of existing heavy rail lines are not undertaken by municipalities on a frequent basis, the MOE has advised that the planning and design of heavy rail facilities will continue to be subject to Part II of the Ontario EA Act (i.e. Individual Environmental Assessment).
New, or changes to, heavy rail system elements including stations, park and ride lots, etc., however, are included in the Municipal Class EA. This is because: they are associated with an approved linear component of a transit facility; these types of activities are undertaken on a frequent basis to maintain and operate existing systems; and the anticipated environmental effects are generally predictable given that the projects are site-specific with localized impacts.