Continue reading »]]> December 19th, 2011 – Toronto

The Premier made the announcement today of the building of the ‘spur line’ between the Georgetown Corridor and the Airport to great fanfare — we say ‘nothing new’. Residents who have been following this debacle for almost 7 years will know the spur line has always been a necessary entity for the Air Rail Link as the Corridor is a full 3km away from the Airport and without it, the ARL won’t work for its purpose – to get people from Union Station to the Airport and vice versa. SNC-Lavalin, the original P3 partner in this project and the one building the spur line, bailed almost a year and a half ago as they couldn’t get financing (someone realized a diesel line was a poor bet), so the province needed to come up with another plan to spend the money to build it.

Premier McGuinty must have thought he was spreading some Christmas cheer with this announcement but we say it’s just another lump of coal in our stockings. We encourage better public transit with an electrified line and multiple stops, not just a quick run through all the west-end neighbourhoods who will suffer the noise and diesel fumes without being able to ride it. We deserve better. And our tax dollars could be spent better. Build it once, built it right!

Attached are the links to the various media who have filed stories regarding this ‘spurious’ announcement (pun intended!).

http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20111219/111219_pearson_link/20111219/?hub=CP24Home

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1104270–construction-to-start-in-spring-on-airport-rail-link?bn=1

http://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2011/12/air-rail-link-to-pearson-airport-will-create-jobs-and-strengthen-economy.html

http://www.globaltoronto.com/mcguinty+announces+construction+of+link+between+union+station+and+pearson/6442545107/story.html

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2011/12/19/toronto-airport-link.html

http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/12/19/construction-to-start-this-spring-on-union-pearson-air-rail-link/

http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20111219/rail-link-airport-union-station-construction-111219/20111219/?hub=TorontoNewHome

In conjunction with this announcement, former CTC Co-Chair Mike Sullivan, now MP for York South-Weston, had an Op-Ed piece in the Toronto Star. A very timely and well worded piece — please share and post to your Facebook page!

http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorialopinion/article/1103616–the-ever-flawed-pearson-rail-link

And finally, a NOW article from this week where we are also quoted:

http://www.nowtoronto.com/daily/news/story.cfm?content=184426

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FACT: Despite a lot of talk about electric trains, Dalton McGuinty’s Liberal government has approved plans to operate 140 diesel trains daily, 20 hours per day on the rail corridor that runs across our neighbourhoods between Union Station and Pearson Airport.

FACT: The McGuinty government also approved plans to expand the use of diesel trains by GO Transit commuter services on this same rail corridor.

FACT: The McGuinty government is buying its diesel trains from companies outside Ontario.

FACT: The McGuinty government has not approved funding to convert their foreign-built diesels to electric operation later – just more studies. They don’t want you to know this.

FACT: The McGuinty government’s transit agency, Metrolinx, has spent your tax dollars trying to confuse residents with misleading advertising about the government’s diesel plans. Advertising Standards Canada has determined this.

The McGuinty government’s diesel plans must be scrapped, because:

• Diesel trains cause dangerous online air pollution.
• Diesel trains are so noisy that a 10-kilometre-long sound barrier will be required – but it still won’t spare apartment or condo residents from the noise if they live above the third floor.
• Diesel trains are not suited for making frequent stops to serve our neighbourhoods.
• Electric trains are green, clean, quiet and fast.
• Electric trains can operate like above-ground subways, making more stops to serve our neighbourhoods, connect with our local transit lines and benefit our local economies.
• Electric trains are less expensive to operate – and even Metrolinx studies prove this.

The Pan Am Games are no excuse!

The McGuinty government claims it must push ahead with diesel trains so the Airport Rail Link will be ready for the 2015 Pan Am Games. Our communities should not suffer for years with the pollution and noise from more diesel trains because of a two-week sporting event.

Before you vote on October 6, ask your candidates if they support the McGuinty diesel train plan or if they will commit to building it right!

Continue reading »]]> By NOAKI SCHWARTZ, Associated Press – October 18, 2011, 5:08PM ET

LOS ANGELES (AP) — When the lump on her toddler’s tummy turned out to be a rare cancer, Carla Hernandez wondered if living just a half-mile from two rail yards emitting a constant veil of near-invisible pollution was somehow responsible.

“When she was diagnosed they kept asking me if I smoked or if anyone smoked around her, but no one did,” said Hernandez, sitting beside her 4-year-old daughter, who was sleeping after her latest treatment at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

Such accounts of families and children living near transportation corridors and experiencing health problems helped prompt a conservation group and two environmental justice groups to file a lawsuit Tuesday against two of the nation’s biggest railroad companies.

The Natural Resources Defense Council filed the suit under a unique legal theory that diesel exhaust is hazardous waste and companies should be held accountable for health problems suffered by residents living near rail yards.

The lawsuit filed in federal court against Union Pacific Corp. and BNSF Railway Co. accuses the companies of violating the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, which regulates hazardous solid waste disposal. The lawsuit alleges problems at 17 rail yards across California, from Oakland to San Bernardino.

The conservation group claims minute particles in diesel exhaust, including lead, cadmium, arsenic and other toxic elements, are solid waste. If the novel suit is successful, a senior attorney with the council believes it could open the door for legal action against similar air pollution sources such as ports, airports or anyplace with a lot of diesel equipment.

“We really believe it’s hazardous and a product of the rail company’s operations,” said Angelo Logan, executive director for East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice, one of the litigants. “It’s being emitted into the air and the local residents have to bear the brunt of the toxic waste the locomotives and other equipment are producing.”
Lena Kent, a spokeswoman for Fort Worth, Texas-based BNSF, called the lawsuit unreasonable and said the railroad has spent hundreds of millions of dollars to reduce emissions and replace outdated locomotives.
“The NRDC and environmental justice groups have refused to acknowledge any of the work we’ve done,” she said. “They’re being unreasonable and it’s another attempt to attack the region’s goods movement industry.”
Aaron Hunt, a spokesman for Omaha, Neb.-based Union Pacific, said the railroad had not yet seen the filing but “Union Pacific remains in compliance with state and federal regulations.”

“We are proud of our rail industry leadership role in testing and developing technology that improves fuel efficiency, reduces emissions and provides sustainable freight transportation solutions that support America’s economy,” Hunt said.

Millions of cargo containers loaded on trucks and trains travel by freeway and railway through Southern California then to the rest of the country. West Coast ports are the nation’s principal gateway for cargo container traffic from Asia, with the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach handling about 40 percent of the nation’s cargo.

Rail yards have long been blamed for health problems in communities around transit corridors. Diesel exhaust contains tiny particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs, carrying a variety of toxins that have been linked to acute bronchitis, lung disease, heart attacks and other ailments.
Exposure to such pollution can be especially dangerous for children whose lungs are still developing and the elderly, whose immune systems may be compromised, studies show.

Hernandez said she worries about bringing her daughter back to their Commerce home between hospital visits because of high pollution levels.
She and other residents who live near rail yards and see a constant film of fine pollution particles settle like dust on their windows and elsewhere in their homes say they support the lawsuit.

“It’s not like we have the luxury to move out of there,” said Hernandez, whose daughter has a 20 percent chance of getting cured. “The pollution is still there.”

Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Continue reading »]]> Metrolinx has released their health study .They are arguing that the health effects are minimal! CTC has issues with this:   

• The World Health Organization claims that we already have poor air quality with pollutant levels above their health safety guidelines, so why does metrolinx think it’s ok to pollute more?
• Metrolinx ridership projections for their “premium” business-class service will mean that the ARL diesel trains will be polluting more than the cars they take off the road - whereas electric trains would both reduce traffic congestion AND improve air quality
• There is still no commercially available Tier 4 diesel train –  but electric trains surpass Tier 4 environmental performance and have been in service around the world for years.

REMEMBER to ask Metrolinx about NOISE pollution and vibrations. These are important human health concerns. Those of you living close to the tracks know that newer (Tier 2) GO locomotives are much noisier than the older locomotives, and we are concerned that Tier 4 will be even WORSE. Their idea of ”mitigation” is a  20-foot wall. How would you feel about an oppressive, intimidating concrete wall cutting your neighbourhood in half? And what’s worse, this wall would NOT help those living on the 3^rd floor or higher; which means most condo owners would be out of luck! So PUSH them about this at the meetings. If you don’t feel that a giant wall is an adequate solution, then DO NOT settle for it.

ALSO, be sure to ask Metrolinx about their claim that their proposed diesel trains will lead to fewer cars on the roads. Demand them to prove this with calculations.

Metrolinx’s third and last open house on the health study was held on Thursday, June  16 , 2011
If you couldn’t make  the open house , submit your comments online. The site is laid out with 6 “tabs” to walk through what the presentation would look like and the last tab gives you opportunity to submit your comments.

WHAT YOU CAN DO!
Just as a reminder, they’re still planning to build the ARL using DIESEL trains. We need to make sure they make it ELECTRIC from the start. We’re planning an all-out push to change this decision, keeping in mind the upcoming provincial elections – there’s lots of work to be done and very little time. We believe we can win this fight, but we need your help to make this happen.

Keep spreading the word
Talk about the issue with your friends and co-workers. If they agree electric trains are the way to go, encourage them to talk to others about it and sign up for our eBlasts by entering their emails in the subscription field or send an email to info@cleantrain.ca. Invite them to the general info meeting to get informed.

Let us know about community events in your area
We’d like to send CTC reps out to community events to make sure the word is out. Let us know if there’s an event that you know of by sending an email to info@cleantrain.ca. Even better if you would like to help represent us at these events.

Help with writing and outreach
We need people to help do outreach into communities, represent the CTC at community events, write materials like these eBlast newsletters, or fundraise. If you can help in any of these areas, please send us an email at info@cleantrain.ca. We can’t do this without you!

Donate!
To help with the upcoming outreach push, we’re going to need more funds.
We suggest a donation of $20 per household. More if you’re feeling generous, and if this is too much, any donation is appreciated!

Continue reading »]]> Thanks to the approximately 200 people who joined us in celebrating our 2^nd Anniversary! 

During the evening, we were thrilled to launch No Little Plan: Electrify GO Transit . The thoroughly researched and highly readable report has garnered much positive attention across the city. The report is available on CD for a small donation, email info@cleantrain.ca .

We also presented  Mike Sullivan with the 1st annual Railbender Award. Mike will be greatly missed, and his strong support of sustainable transit will be invaluable in Ottawa as the new MP for York-South Weston.

And THANKS to the bands who generously donated their talents: Loopsy Dazy , The Ethers , Sarah Greene, the hit young group “City Sailors“, DJ Kidmyn  and of course, songwriter of the CTC “anthem” GO ELECTRIC, Rob Joy.

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On June 7, the Clean Train Coalition launched a “Clean Train Pledge” campaign which asked elected representatives from all levels of government to commit to taking action in favour of electrification.

As of today, 29 of the 33 representatives are signatories or have publicly declared they are advocating for electrification. This sends a very strong message to the Provincial Government:

Diesel-powered rail transit expansion is not acceptable in west Toronto!

The list of advocates includes Trustees from the impacted public and Catholic school board districts, City Councillors from wards along the rail line, the Mayor and main mayoral candidates, and Members of the Provincial and Federal Parliaments. We applaud their commitment to representing the will of the people to the government. We call on the goverment of Ontario to heed this unified voice. Metrolinx must be directed to electrify!

Furthermore, now that Metrolinx will be responsible for owning and operating the ARL (articles in: The Star, Globe and Mail, National Post), we expect the process to be more open to the public and more accountable. With SNC Lavalin no longer in the mix, this is between the people and their government, and the people have spoken out overwhelmingly in favour of electrification.

Advocates for Electrification:

City Councillor Cesar Palacio
City Councillor Gord Perks
City Councillor Adam Vaughan
City Councillor Frank DiGiorgio
City Councillor Adam Giambrone
City Councillor Pam McConnell
City Councillor Frances Nunziata
Mayor David Miller
Deputy Mayor/Mayoral Candidate Joe Pantalone
Mayoral Candidate Rocco Rossi
Mayoral Candidate George Smitherman
Mayoral Candidate Sarah Thomson
MPP Laura Albanese
MPP Cheri Dinovo
MPP Rosario Marchese
MPP Tony Ruprecht
MP Olivia Chow
MP Gerard Kennedy
MP Alan Tonks
MP Mario Silva
TDSB Trustee Irene Atkinson
TDSB Trustee Chris Bolton
TDSB Trustee John Hastings
TDSB Trustee Maria Rodrigues
TDSB Trustee Chris Tonks
TDCSB Trustee Sal Piccininni
TDCSB Trustee Barbara Poplawsk
TDCSB Trustee Rob Davis
TDCSB Trustee Catherine Leblanc-Miller

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On October 5th 2009, the Ontario Minister of the Environment, John Gerretsen, approved Metrolinx’ plan to run over 450 diesel trains through west Toronto despite urgent requests from the Clean Train Coalition, the Toronto District School Board, the Medical Officer of Health, and thousands of concerned citizens for electrification of the corridor before any expansion of rail traffic is allowed. The Minister has attached some conditions, notably that Metrolinx use Tier 4 diesel trains.

Diesel exhaust is a known health hazard and any further pollution in Toronto’s already overburdened airshed is not acceptable. Furthermore, while electric technology is available and would entirely eliminate the local heatlh risks, Tier 4 diesel trains do not yet exist. It is disappointing that the Minister didn’t require Metrolinx to electrify the rail corridor, but the struggle is far from over.

On the up side, the decision by the Minister has finally vaulted our call for clean electric trains into the media spotlight. We’ve been covered by all the major newspapers, on most of the television networks, and on radio as well.

Here’s a sample, and there are more links in our “In the News” section.

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On November 16 over 60 people turned out for a spirited demonstration at Metrolinx’s head office on Bay Street.

The demonstration took place as the Board of Directors were being updated on Metrolinx’s Electrification Study and progress on the Air Rail Link. Following the demonstration, the crowd moved upstairs to Metrolinx’s offices and packed the meeting to overflowing! It was a great turnout, especially for a weekday morning.

The demonstration was excellent but, unfortunately, Metrolinx continues to demonstrate disrespect for our communities and the process which they asked us to buy into.

Amazingly, although the initial findings of Metrolinx’s study indicate that electrification will not be as expensive as they originally claimed and that it is more cost effective over the medium and long terms, they are going ahead with the purchase of diesel trains for the Air Rail Link.

Yes, Metrolinx is apparently not planning on heeding their own study. Before it is completed, they are going ahead with diesel. They claim that there isn’t enough time to electrify before the Pan Am Games. But, again, they seem to be prejudging their study, which was supposed to come to some conclusions concerning timelines and feasibility.

We remain of the opinion that there is time. Where there is a will, there is a way. It is only 30 kilometers between Union and Pearson, and there are over 4 years before trains need to be up and running. However, if the line cannot be electrified before the Pam Am Games, then they need to rethink their priorities. A two-week sporting event cannot justify decades of pollution.

To add insult to injury, the report on the ARL confirms that it will be an elite service, not intended for commuters or communities. The sad truth is, over $1 billion dollars will be spent on this project and our communities will be polluted so that a mere 5000 people can travel between Pearson Airport and Union Station each day.  Shame.

The CTC (Clean Train Coalition) is now calling on Premier McGuinty to intervene and direct Metrolinx not to proceed with the planned purchase of diesel trains.

The demonstration was yet another affirmation of the strong opposition to diesel trains. There was extensive media coverage.

Many thanks to all those who contributed to the success of the demonstration. Stay tuned for announcements of upcoming campaign events.

Here are links to some of the media coverage:

Toronto Star, Letter to the Editor – Diesel a laughable relic

CBC Metro Morning interview with Eric Miller of U of T Cities Centre – Electric or Diesel?

The National Post – How to build a rail link to Pearson

NOW Magazine – GO electric: Electrifying trains a good idea

The Toronto Sun – Protesters upset air-rail link will be diesel [with a video]

The Toronto Star – No time to convert air-rail train to electric by 2015

The Globe and Mail – Metrolinx defends decision to buy diesel trains for rail link to Pearson

The National Post – Electrifying Pearson rail link by 2015 “can’t be done”: Metrolinx

The National Post – GO Transit considers switching from diesel to electric

Continue reading »]]> On Wednesday January 26th the Clean Train Coalition (CTC) held a demonstration outside the Metrolinx board meeting at the Central YMCA on 20 Grosvenor Street. The rally called on Metrolinx not to proceed with the purchase of diesel trains for the air-rail link (ARL) to Pearson airport. The group then marched up Yonge St to the offices of the Ontario Liberal Party at 10 St. Mary Street. Here, Premier McGuinty was called upon to direct Metrolinx to purchase electric trains.

Notice was served that clean trains will be a major issue in the October provincial election if we are ignored. Thanks, all for helping to get the message through!

The Clean Train Coalition has successfully advanced the case for clean electric trains as the way of the future of sustainable mass transit. Metrolinx Board gave its support to the staff recommendations based on the electrification study to make the ARL the priority project for electrification, and to electrify all of Georgetown and Lakeshore routes. (See CTC Letter to the Metrolinx Board here.)

However, this approval does not stop them from ordering diesel trains which they maintain are still needed. Metrolinx still plans to buy diesels from Japan for the air rail link to meet the Pan Am deadline, with the endorsement of the Provincial government. Metrolinx staff state it will take at least 7 years to complete the ARL and 23 years to finish the other two lines. There is no plan in place for converting these vehicles, moving them elsewhere or selling them if electrification of the ARL goes forward.

Clean Train Coalition strongly believes that electrifying the new transit service between Union Station and the Airport can be expedited. This will mean that the option for purchasing diesel trains, negotiated by Metrolinx before completing the Electrification Study, will not be necessary. Suitable electric vehicles can be made in Ontario, or change the procurement order and the Japanese manufacturer that Metrolinx prefers makes the same vehicle in an electric version.

The recently released Metrolinx electrification study validates the benefits of electrifying. According to Metrolinx, the ARL will eventually be electrified. The CTC demands that an expert peer review of the proposed timeline takes place to speed up implementation. Costly plans to purchase ‘convertible’ diesels should be dropped in favour of using electric trains from the start.

Build it once, build it right, GO Electric Now!

OUR NEXT STEPS

PLEASE WRITE and CALL PREMIER DALTON MCGUINTY
http://www.premier.gov.on.ca/feedback/
416-325-1941 Fax: 416-325-3745

PLEASE TELL YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBOURS. Register here to help connect your local area. Form your own local group and raise awareness. Delivering flyers locally ensures people in your community get informed and encourages them to take action.