TORONTO, August 29, 2001 -- York University President Lorna Marsden says she is encouraged that the Toronto Transit Commission's own report released today confirms the need for a public transit link extending the Spadina subway line through the university's Keele campus to a gateway north of Steeles Avenue.

"We have long recognized the need for this route. Not only does it benefit our own community of students, faculty and staff, but it offers a more rational and environmentally sustainable transportation link between the rapidly expanding communities of the 905 York Region, particularly York Region, and the rest of the GTA," said Marsden. "Clearly this is an urgently needed gateway to and from the 905 that will relieve the severity of traffic gridlock that we're all experiencing and provide greatly improved transit access to York University."

A community of nearly 45,000 students, faculty and staff that is expected to approach 55,000 by the end of the decade, York University is believed to be one of the largest car trip generators in the City of Toronto, making it one of the major transportation nodes in the GTA. On peak days, more than 36,000 cars enter the university's Keele campus and use its 11,000 parking spaces, a 30 per cent increase over 1998 numbers.

Higher enrolments and the expansion of university facilities over the next 10 years will put increased pressure on transportation routes and the public transit system, resulting in longer commute times. Where efficient transit connections are available, members of the York community have demonstrated a willingness to switch to public transit. More than 40 per cent of York students come from the 905 region and are potential riders for regional express buses into the proposed subway link.

Currently, single-occupant vehicles are the dominant mode of transport to the university, representing a 70/30 split with public transit. York has been aiming, with improved transit options, to alter that to a 50/50 modal split. Over the past year, the total number of buses arriving on campus each day has increased from 530 to 650 (23%). Several new transit solutions have proven highly successful for the university:

TTC Bus Service: The 196 York University Express Bus from Downsview station is the most heavily used route, generating 170 trips daily carrying 6,700 customer trips. TTC customers have a strong north-south orientation. Downsview subway station is the dominant TTC destination/transfer point. Three routes service the York University-Downsview Station market. Together these routes account for 318 bus trips through York, generating approximately 10,000 customer trips per day.

York Region Transit Bus Service: York Region Transit started a new express service in January 2001 that provides direct connections between York University and the communities of Woodbridge and Thornhill. This direct service is provided for a single transit fare. Approximately 30 bus trips are made through the university each day.

GO Transit Bus Service: A new express bus service to York University commenced in September 2000. The route starts at the Oakville GO Station and ends at the Unionville GO Station, with stops at Square One, Bramalea GO Station, York University, and the Langstaff GO Station. All buses are routed along Highway 403 and Highway 407. Approximately 40 bus trips are made through York University each day. In its first year of operation, passenger trips have already reached 1,000 per day on peak days.

The proposed new subway link, endorsed by the TTC report, includes a major regional commuter bus and parking facility in York Region on the north side of Steeles Avenue at the York/Toronto boundary, comprising 18 bus bays and 3,000 parking spaces.

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For further information, please contact:

Cim Nunn Director, Media Relations York University (416) 736-2100, ext. 22087 cimnunn@yorku.ca YU/091/01

Susan Bigelow Media Relations York University  (416) 736-2100, ext. 22091 sbigelow@yorku.ca