TORONTO, Oct. 17 - Major new rapid transit lines and more frequent GO rail service are among the proposed projects that will benefit Peel Region in The Big Move: Transforming Transportation in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. The 25-year, $50 billion plan, released as a draft by Metrolinx, will be discussed at an Open House/Public Meeting in Peel Region on Tuesday, October 21, 2008.

Metrolinx representatives will be at the International Centre, 6900 Airport Road (Google Map), near the Mississauga/Brampton border, on October 21, for an Open House beginning at 5:00 p.m., followed by a Public Meeting from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. The public can also comment on The Big Move on-line, at www.metrolinx.com (on the Home page, click on the "Participate in our online consultations" button).

"The Big Move will make significant improvements in the way people in Peel Region get around," said Metrolinx Chair Rob MacIsaac. "It will also create seamless, integrated connections from your community to the surrounding area because people don't live their lives along municipal boundaries."

Infrastructure projects set out in The Big Move include:

• New rapid transit along Hurontario Street through Peel Region, connecting the Port Credit GO station, Mississauga City Centre, downtown Brampton and Caledon
• New rapid transit along Queen Street, connecting downtown Brampton to the new rapid transit spine on Highway 7 across York Region

Other new rapid transit, including:

• Along Dundas Street, connecting Mississauga to the Kipling subway station
• Along Highway 427, between the Kipling subway station and Pearson Airport
• Along Highway 403, connecting Oakville, Mississauga City Centre and Pearson Airport
• Waterfront West, connecting the Port Credit GO Station and Union Station

Faster, more frequent GO rail service, including:

• Brampton, between downtown Brampton and Union Station
• Lakeshore West, between Hamilton and Union Station
• Mississauga, between Cooksville and Union Station
• New GO rail service between Bolton and Union Station

"Each of these individual projects and many other programs will make a big difference, but the way they fit into the bigger picture is even more important," MacIsaac said. "The Big Move  includes more than 100 recommendations to revitalize our communities and make them the kinds of places where you can take transit, ride a bicycle or walk - giving you more choices for your day's activities. And, by integrating transit fares and providing the information you need, when and where you need it, you will have the opportunity to choose the best way to travel."

Metrolinx is a Crown agency of the Province of Ontario, operating within the legislative framework of the Greater Toronto Transportation Authority Act, 2006 and the provincial Growth Plan. For more information visit our website www.metrolinx.com.