Summary of Metrolinx Board of Directors Meeting - September 8, 2022

00:00:00 - 00:55:00

The Board of Directors for Metrolinx discussed increasing ridership rates and various construction projects at the September 8, 2022 meeting. They also reported on the success of recent marketing campaigns and proposed an amendment to the agency's bylaw, which would lead to increased fines for those who do not pay their fares.

• 00:00:00 Metrolinx acknowledges its impacts on indigenous communities and commits to working towards reconciliation. A safety message is shared, emphasizing the importance of being mindful when driving and leaving school early.
• 00:05:00 Metrolinx reports that ridership is increasing, with weekend ridership surpassing 2019 levels. However, operational challenges, mainly with crew availability and trespassing events, have been reported. Metrolinx is working to address these issues. The customer satisfaction level for GO and UP services is increasing, and Metrolinx is now 4% ahead of its ridership projections for this year.
• 00:10:00 Metrolinx is short of where it wants to be with service levels and is focusing on making its transit systems more accessible and on implementing projects in a sensitive way.
• 00:15:00 Metrolinx is continuing its journey to strengthen its relationships with indigenous Nations and communities, with its latest project being the construction of a new station on the Kitchener line. The project has been challenging due to the presence of CP tracks and the need to build within a tight construction zone.
• 00:20:00 Metrolinx is currently constructing an elevated guideway section of the HERO LRT project, which will connect Mississauga and Brampton. The first pillars for the guideway have been completed and construction is ongoing on the rest of the project. The project is expected to be completed in early 2024.
• 00:25:00 Metrolinx reports progress on various projects, including construction of the Eglinton Crosstown extension and the installation of guideway on the line. The Board of Directors discusses a recent update on a project in east-central Toronto, which involved the reconstruction of a 90-year-old building. The construction of the Transit Hub in Square One is also discussed. The Board notes that the line will connect directly to the GO bus terminal in Square One, as well as the Mississauga Transitway.
• 00:30:00 Metrolinx is providing a brief overview of its summer marketing efforts, which have included campaigns focused on open payments, commuter and gen Z riders. Danielle Aubry, deputy chief payments officer, will speak about open payments. A three-minute video will provide a more entertaining overview of Metrolinx's marketing efforts.
• 00:35:00 Metrolinx released a video highlighting its successes this summer, including the launch of open payment on GO Transit and partnership with Transit agencies. The agency plans to roll out payment options across the remaining 905 agencies by Q3 of next year.
• 00:40:00 The Metrolinx Board of Directors meeting discussed upcoming marketing campaigns and initiatives to increase ridership. The return to office program with 84 corporate partners is successful, but Presto ridership rates are still at 28 to 29. Gen Z ridership is increasing, with 35 people taking go for school for fun for travel in 2019. Metrolinx is also meeting with gen Z in person and online to promote the 40 off discount and provide snacks. Metrolinx is exceeding regional benchmarks for followers on posts, and vaccination buses are still operational.
• 00:45:00 Metrolinx is proposing an amendment to its bylaw which would allow for a graduated fine structure for individuals who have four or more offences related to paying fares.
• 00:50:00 Metrolinx is introducing a new fair enforcement program in which fines for provincial offenses notices will be increased from $35 to $100. This program will allow for greater flexibility in the issuance of fees, while still recovering lost revenue. Additionally, interactions between officers and customers on trains and other modes of transportation will be improved.
• 00:55:00 The Metrolinx Board of Directors meeting for September 8, 2022 was concluded with a discussion of quarterly reports and a motion to repeal the current bylaw seven and put in the new bylaw seven, which would increase the price for e-tickets from 35.50 to 100 dollars. There were no questions from board members, and the meeting ended.