Latest news with #transit
CTV News
5 hours ago
- Politics
- CTV News
New TTC head says he's focused on problem fare inspectors trying to fix rather than much-mocked new title
New TTC head says he's focused on problem fare inspectors trying to fix rather than much-mocked new title Mandeep Lali has officially taken the helm as head of the TTC, and just weeks into the job, is facing some serious headwinds for the transit system.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Eglinton Crosstown LRT opening date 'very close,' says Toronto city manager
Toronto's city manager says the Eglinton Crosstown LRT opening date is very close and the transit project is in its final stages of testing. Paul Johnson told CBC Radio's Metro Morning on Tuesday that he's "blindly optimistic" that the long-delayed light rail transit will open soon. "It is very, very close. These are the last stages of really testing it," he said. The 25-stop line was initially set to open in 2020, but a series of technical problems and associated cost overruns have plagued the project and repeatedly delayed its completion. Construction on the line began in 2011. The transit line will open when it's "safe and operationally sound to do so" and testing has been going well, Johnson said on Tuesday. "It's going to open soon. Everybody's working towards that, and I know people want to know the actual date. The only thing holding back the date is, we also don't want this to be unreliable and be a very poor service when it goes in," said Johnson. He said staff have been running tests to make sure all trains have what they need to run daily. They are also checking the route timings and if all systems are working properly. Ontario Premier Doug Ford said last month that the Eglinton Crosstown LRT line was on track to open this September. September opening 'is a reach,' TTC interim CEO says At last week's TTC board meeting, outgoing TTC interim CEO Greg Percy was asked if the transit line was on track to open in September. "We're looking at still this fall to get something happening," answered Percy. "I think September is a reach, but this fall is plausible and certainly by year-end." WATCH | Percy talks about September opening date: TTC took control of the Eglinton Crosstown from Metrolinxlast month. Metrolinx CEO Michael Lindsay said at the time that the system and vehicles were being "relentlessly" stress tested. Percy said at Thursday's board meeting that the decision on the opening date still falls to Metrolinx. He said safety and customer experience are key issues, and that the TTC won't open it until "it is satisfying both."
CBC
8 hours ago
- Business
- CBC
Eglinton Crosstown LRT opening date 'very close,' says Toronto city manager
Social Sharing Toronto's city manager says the Eglinton Crosstown LRT opening date is very close and the transit project is in its final stages of testing. Paul Johnson told CBC Radio's Metro Morning on Tuesday that he's "blindly optimistic" that the long-delayed light rail transit will open soon. "It is very, very close. These are the last stages of really testing it," he said. The 25-stop line was initially set to open in 2020, but a series of technical problems and associated cost overruns have plagued the project and repeatedly delayed its completion. Construction on the line began in 2011. The transit line will open when it's "safe and operationally sound to do so" and testing has been going well, Johnson said on Tuesday. "It's going to open soon. Everybody's working towards that, and I know people want to know the actual date. The only thing holding back the date is, we also don't want this to be unreliable and be a very poor service when it goes in," said Johnson. He said staff have been running tests to make sure all trains have what they need to run daily. They are also checking the route timings and if all systems are working properly. Ontario Premier Doug Ford said last month that the Eglinton Crosstown LRT line was on track to open this September. September opening 'is a reach,' TTC interim CEO says At last week's TTC board meeting, outgoing TTC interim CEO Greg Percy was asked if the transit line was on track to open in September. "We're looking at still this fall to get something happening," answered Percy. "I think September is a reach, but this fall is plausible and certainly by year-end." WATCH | Percy talks about September opening date: The Eglinton Crosstown LRT may be delayed once again 5 days ago The TTC board heard a dissapointing update about the Eglinton Crosstown LRT on Thursdy. As CBC's Lane Harrison reports, the transit project may be facing yet another set of delays. TTC took control of the Eglinton Crosstown from Metrolinx last month. Metrolinx CEO Michael Lindsay said at the time that the system and vehicles were being "relentlessly" stress tested. Percy said at Thursday's board meeting that the decision on the opening date still falls to Metrolinx. He said safety and customer experience are key issues, and that the TTC won't open it until "it is satisfying both."
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Top CEO of huge taxpayer-funded company is forced to step down over his immigration status
The head of Atlanta's transit agency has stepped down after losing legal authorization to work in the United States. MARTA General Manager and CEO Collie Greenwood announced his early retirement following the expiration of his Employment Authorization Document (EAD), which allowed him to work in the U.S. as a Canadian citizen. The surprise resignation was confirmed during a Thursday meeting of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority's Board of Directors. 'Due to immigration and personal matters, [Greenwood] has chosen to leave his employment and elect early retirement,' Jonathan Hunt, MARTA's chief legal counsel, said. Hunt added that the board accepted Greenwood's decision and will honor the remainder of his contract through a severance agreement. Greenwood's work permit expired on June 18, according to The Atlanta Journal Constitution, and while he remains in the U.S. legally on a valid Canadian visa, his green card has not yet been issued. In a statement, MARTA said Greenwood was 'recently notified that his Permanent Resident Card (green card) is forthcoming' and that, 'out of an abundance of caution,' he stopped working when his EAD expired. Greenwood informed the board and MARTA leadership of his decision personally and delegated authority to Rhonda Allen, MARTA's Chief Customer Experience Officer, who has now been named acting CEO. 'This is a sad day for this board and for this authority,' board member Kathryn Powers said in a company meeting, Atlanta News First reported. Further, the taxpayer-funded company issued a statement of its own, commending the now former CEO's time with the company. 'The immigration process is extensive and has had an impact on Mr. Greenwood's personal and professional progress,' the agency said in a statement. 'These challenges have been resolved with Mr. Greenwood's decision, and the MARTA family supports him.' Now, Allen will serve in the interim role while a search is conducted for Greenwood's permanent replacement, however, no timeline for that process has been released. Greenwood was not present at the meeting, with board officials confirming he was unable to attend 'because of his immigration status.' Greenwood joined MARTA in 2019 as Chief of Bus Operations and Urban Planning, became Deputy General Manager of Operations in 2021, and was named CEO in 2022. He began his career 35 years ago as a bus driver and rose through the ranks of public transit leadership in both Canada and the U.S. In a statement, MARTA said Greenwood was 'recently notified that his Permanent Resident Card (green card) is forthcoming' and that, 'out of an abundance of caution,' he stopped working when his EAD expired. Pictured: MARTA Board of Directors raise their hands in acceptance of Greenwood's decision Under his leadership, MARTA earned its highest-ever AAA bond rating and launched several major infrastructure initiatives, including the region's first bus rapid transit line and a systemwide rail station renovation, The Champion Newspaper reported. The American Public Transportation Association named MARTA the 2024 Outstanding Public Transportation System in North America during Greenwood's tenure. In a statement released by MARTA, Greenwood said he and his wife decided that 'this is a good opportunity to take an early retirement and spend more time with our family and friends.' 'I do want to thank the board, the executive leadership team, and everyone at MARTA for their support and their continued work to improve and grow transit service in this region,' he added. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens issued a statement thanking Greenwood for his service and reaffirming the city's commitment to expanding MARTA. 'As we look ahead, my administration remains committed to building a world-class transit system for Atlanta and the entire region,' Dickens said. Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson criticized the circumstances surrounding Greenwood's departure, blaming immigration policies under President Donald Trump. 'The early, forced retirement of MARTA General Manager CEO Collie Greenwood is another example of the disruption, chaos, and pain that MAGA is inflicting on people's lives and on the nation's economy,' Johnson said. He called Greenwood's exit 'forced by the cruel policies of President Donald Trump.' According to MARTA, Greenwood remains in the country legally while awaiting the 'imminent' delivery of his green card. The agency described the U.S. immigration process as 'extensive' and said it has 'had an impact on Mr. Greenwood's personal and professional progress.' Doug Shipman, president of the Atlanta City Council, responded to the announcement by calling for a 'hard reset' at MARTA and urging the board to engage stakeholders in selecting a successor.
CBC
5 days ago
- Business
- CBC
An LRT line could eventually connect you to the Port Lands
Metro Morning spoke to Toronto's Waterfront BIA about the long-planned waterfront transit line that could eventually connect transit riders to the revitalized Port Lands.
