A story that was published in the Summer of 2019 showed that Metrolinx had plans to include their ridership data as part of a sponsorship package that would sell the naming rights of GO Train Stations in Ontario.

Which was strange, because a year prior Metrolinx tweeted that they were committed to publishing ridership data as Open Data.

As part of the MTO Open Data Action Plan, Metrolinx will share information openly, enabling accessible government, civic engagement, prosperity, and innovation. The Metrolinx Data Inventory List has been compiled, providing a high level overview of the datasets available — a pilot project with priority data sets will be uploaded in the next couple of months. Tweet by official Metrolinx account, October 11, 2018

This was wonderful announcement. Not only because it aligned perfectly with the 2016 Ontario Government Open Data Directive, but because Open Data sets on regional transit is sorely lacking in Ontario.

NOTE: The Ontario Government states that datasets should be “released in a machine-readable, downloadable format, and made available to the public at no charge and without restrictions.

So, I wanted to know why Metrolinx and the MTO were now planning to sell this data.

The first step I took was writing an article about how Metrolinx and the MTO were ignoring the Open Data directive and how it suggested a monumental shift in ideology. Much like Facebook and Google, it appeared as though the Ontario government was viewing its residents as a product to sell to the private sector.

Next, I decided to submit a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to Metrolinx asking for the following documents:

On October 11, 2018, there was a Metrolinx Data Inventory List that had been compiled which provided high level overview of datasets available for release as Open Data. There was also a pilot project with high priority data sets that would be uploaded in a couple of months. I would like: 1. The October 2018 high level overview of the datasets available; and 2. The plans and details for the 2018 Open Data pilot project.

I wanted to know what Open Data sets Metrolinx were ready to publish in the Fall of 2018, but — for whatever reason — chose not to. I also wanted to know what potential datasets would be sold to the private sector.

A few days ago, I got the results from my FOI request and it was quite revealing.

First, this is the list of potential datasets that could be published as Open Data. There are over 130 datasets identified ranging from Farecard Usage to Restricted Political Activity.

Second, I was given information about WebEx meeting that took place on November 29, 2018 between people from Metrolinx and the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO). The agenda was as follows:

1. Status of the Open Data Directive at MTO 2. MTO Progress on Open Data implementation 3. Metrolinx Data Inventory review and confirmation 4. Confirm content for the Pilot Metrolinx Open Data Portal

The document also shows that the meeting participants agreed on short term, medium term, and long-term goals:

Short Term: Publish three datasets on Metrolinx Website: Parking statistic, GO Station Boardings, and GIS Files showing the Regional Transit Network. Medium Term: Review and then publish full Metrolinx Data inventory — showing what was approved and what was not. Long Term: Start publishing actual data listed on inventory.

A few of the action items were listed as well, most significant being that a MTO representatives was to:

Review request to publish three datasets to publish directly on Metrolinx Web Site. a. To be prioritized ahead of other review tasks, such that they can be cleared by End of Year if possible for use in Hackathon in January.

For those wondering, no Open Data sets have been published since that meeting. Additionally, an online and Twitter search for “2019 Metrolinx Hackathon” yielded no results.

There is a “GO Train Station” Open Data set that can be found in the Ontario Open Data Catalogue, but it was first added on June 29, 2016 so it could not be the GIS file referenced in the Nov 29, 2018 meeting.

There is also a “Regional and Municipal Transit ” Open Data set that is currently Under Review in the Ontario Open Data catalogue. Again, though, it was first added on April 3, 2017.

NOTE: I urge you to please reach out to Metrolinx and the MTO and ask them why the “Regional and Municipal Transit” dataset is under review.

I was also given a Briefing Note dated March 7, 2019 (three months after the November meeting) regarding the three identified datasets. The document summarizes the work done to-date as well as reiterates the value gained by releasing the datasets as Open Data. Here is an excerpt:

Metrolinx regularly responds to ad-hoc requests to provide data to consultants, academics, NGOs, and the public. By posting frequently requested datasets as Open Data, Metrolinx will reduce wasted staff time, operate more efficiently, provide more consistent quality data, and enable 3rd parties to develop innovative applications that provide value to taxpayers

The language used in the Briefing Note is pretty much lifted directly from the Ontario Open Government Website.

However, in a weird twist of event, the Briefing Note stated that the “Next Steps” were for the MTO to review and approve the memo by the end of March 2018 (the Briefing Note was dated March 7, 2019) and have the data published within 2 weeks of approval.

In addition to the fact there appears to have been delays in publishing the datasets, there was an inconsistency with regards to the year (2018 vs 2019). This led me to ask the author of the Briefing Note at Metrolinx, Mr. Anthony Smith, if this was a typo. He said, that was the case. That, in fact, the “Next Steps” were to have the memo reviewed and approved by the end of March 2019 AND have the data published within 2 weeks of approval.

As part of our conversation, Mr. Smith informed me that — even though it was not identified as such on the document I received through my FOI — the Briefing Note was only a DRAFT and that it had never been approved by Metrolinx executive or sent to the MTO.

Why? I do not know.

It is curious that Metrolinx would put in all this time to identify datasets; Set priorities; Set deadlines; Develop a pilot project; And do nothing about it.

So, it begs the question. What changed? What possible roadblock derailed the Metrolinx Open Data GO Train between October 2018 and March 2019?

It is fair to assume the Open Data pilot project was put on hold when the idea of selling the data to the private sector was suggested. Afterall, it is very difficult to sell something you are already giving away for free.

I plan to ask Metrolinx and the MTO questions about why the Open Data plans were stopped. When I get those answers, I will to update this story.

In the meantime, I need your help.

Share this story with your network and put pressure on Metrolinx and the MTO so that they publish their datasets as Open Data.