71% of GTA residents fed up with gridlock: poll
Posted April 12, 2013 4:46 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Likely no surprise to GTA drivers, a new survey has found most residents are fed up with gridlock and want more money put toward the problem.
The Greater Toronto CivicAction Alliance said 71 per cent of those polled are frustrated with traffic in the Toronto and Hamilton area, with many saying it affects their quality of life.
“Our poll reinforces what we have been hearing from residents across the region since we launched our campaign — that we can’t wait any longer and we must take action to address the congestion issues plaguing our region,” said CivicAction chair John Tory.
“With 100,000 more people choosing to move to the region each year, commute times and public discontent will only get worse if we don’t act.”
Forum Research — which polled almost 1,500 residents between March 28 and April 3 — found 43 per cent want more money put toward The Big Move, Metrolinx’s $50-billion, 25-year plan for better transit, roads, bike lanes and sidewalks in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.
Officials are grappling with just how to pay for the expansion. Metrolinx and the Toronto Region Board of Trade have recommended taxes and tolls, but Mayor Rob Ford favours the idea of using revenue from a possible Toronto casino.
Almost 40 per cent of those polled think it’s fair to ask residents to contribute.
CivicAction, a group of executives and community leaders, will host a forum on April 17 to come up with ideas and ways to improve transportation.
What do you think should be done to improve gridlock? Leave a comment below.
