Anyone who rides the Yonge-University-Spadina Line, recently numbered Line 1, can tell you that the Yonge Street stretch of the line is overcrowded. York Region wants the line extended north from the current terminal at Finch into Richmond Hill, but where would the new riders go if there is already no space on the trains? In response, Metrolinx, the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), the City of Toronto, and York Region are working together to create the Regional Relief Strategy to address capacity in the corridor and improve commute times. The main thrust is to divert some riders coming from east of Yonge Street on to a new transit line now dubbed the Relief Line, freeing up space on the Yonge line and bringing rapid transit to more of Toronto.

Map from regionalrelief.ca website

The first phase of the Yonge Relief Network Study and Relief Line Assessment Study will kick off with public consultations this weekend, seeking public input on the study approach and a consultation plan. In a following phase the studies will evaluate route and station options.

Meeting dates, times and locations for the first phase are:

Joint Network and Line Study Meetings:

Saturday, April 5, 2014

Time: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (presentation at 10:00 a.m.)

Where: Sheraton Centre, Dominion Ballroom, 123 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Time: 5:30 p.m.- 9:30 p.m. (presentation at 6:30 p.m.)

Where: Riverdale Collegiate Institute, 1094 Gerrard Street East, Toronto, ON

Yonge Relief Network Study only (Metrolinx and York Region):

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Time: 6:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. (presentation at 6:30 p.m.)

Where: Richmond Hill Presbyterian Church, 10066 Yonge Street, Richmond Hill, ON

Relief Line Project Assessment only (City of Toronto/TTC):

Saturday, April 12, 2014

Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (presentation at 10:00 a.m.)

Where: Holy Name Parish, 71 Gough Avenue (near Pape and Danforth), Toronto, ON

This meeting will focus on the Relief Line Project Assessment

You can learn more at this link. Want to join in on the discussion? Tweet your messages using #regionalrelief