A crucial public transport overhaul has been expected by the public in the Ontario area since 2007. Increasing subways, trains, bus lines and selected highways are just a few of the 52 transit plans in the 12 year ‘MoveOntario 2020′ plan. The greatest beneficiary is expected to be GTA. Definate effects will be seen in real estate with demand rising in affected areas. The environment will also see positive effect for those living in the area.
Growing values on Real Estate
Accessibility to a property is an important variable when measuring property prices by real estate agents. Property values near railway stations will increase according to various studies. A comparison was made in Portland between houses within a 500m range of a light railway station and those found further away. The houses nearer the station sold for 10% more. Within a recorded half-mileradius of new stations there will be a positive growth in property prices.
Air quality: a clear environmental impact.
Harmful molecules of exhaust gases pollute our bodies. Long term these gases cause serious disease and possibly premature death. The respiratory (lungs) and cardiovascular (heart & veins) systems are among the most afflicted.
Contaminants and fine molecules enter our body as we breath. As air is not pure these molecules stay in our lungs causing hypersensitivity and in some cases irreversible damage. Blood clotting, heart attacks and premature death can be caused by air pollution. It can also make asthma, bronchitis and other lasting respiratory ailments worsen. Research is continuing but at the moment, in Toronto, about 1.700 premature deaths are affiliated with air pollution each year.
What about the drivers?
The reorganization plan claims to be designed to cut greenhouse emissions by replacing about 300 million car trips. Cleaner air answer? Does it work? Day to day drivers must not be neglected, but this proposal aims to concentrate on the public transport system. This includes railways, bikers and pedestrians encouraging people to use these modes of transportation. At the moment, drivers in Toronto spend about 67 hours in traffic jams every year. Notwithstanding other means of transport a congestion study shows that in 20 years cars will still form 70% of all trips in Toronto. (Source: http://www.hastebc.org/haste-news/torontos-war-cars). For instance, I know for sure that the majority of my colleagues working as Toronto real estate agents will never give up their cars no matter the cost or availability of public transport system.
Ideas to improve air conditions must showgoals to eliminate congestion and improving traffic flow in general as exhaust gas is higher when traffic is stop-and-go. Denmark and Israel have implemented their own plans. Can we find ideas in their systems? These countries decided to greatly advocate electromobile vehicles by exemptions and by building a enormous system of charging stations throughout the country. GTA should not rely solely on upgrading the scope of the public transport system. Consideration also needs to be given to those who chose cars as their primary means of transport.
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