TORONTO, July 28, 2003 – Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) Chair Howard Moscoe has recommended extending the subway line to York University as a way to reduce commuter grid lock in the GTA.

The recommendation was made at a weekend conference Kyoto and Sprawl: Building Cities that Work, held at York's Glendon College, examining strategies to reduce urban sprawl in the GTA and other Ontario cities.

"Increased public transit use reduces traffic congestion, urban smog and greenhouse gas emissions," said Moscoe. "A rapid transit line to York University would significantly reduce the high number of commuters travelling by car to York."

York University President and Vice-Chancellor Lorna R. Marsden added, "Members of the York community have demonstrated a willingness to switch to public transit provided efficient transit connections are available. The extension of the Spadina subway line from Downsview Station through York's Keele campus would be a huge win for the environment, the community and all of north- western Toronto."

York University is one of the most significant traffic generators in the Greater Toronto Area, parking more than 30,000 cars on peak days.

Also attending the conference on urban sprawl were federal MPs David Collenette and Alan Tonks, and national NDP leader Jack Layton. Participants in the conference workshops put forward additional strategies to curb sprawl and its associated problems, such as the loss of prime agricultural land to residential and commercial development and smog. A final report containing these recommendations will be issued soon.

A coalition to combat urban sprawl was also launched on the weekend which will try to shape platforms and influence campaigns in the coming municipal and provincial elections.

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For more information, please contact:

Ken Turriff

Media Relations

York University

416-736-2100, ext. 22086

kturriff@yorku.ca