hawthorne village

Metrolinx Statistics Milton GO Station

Mike Cluett

Found this report online today and it had some very interesting statistics they’ve collected on who uses the GO Station in Milton, how many drive, bike, walk etc.  As you might have heard Metrolinx has started up what they call the BIG MOVE.  Its a plan for the next 25 years to look at options and create a transit system that can be integrated together to help promote increased use.  There are $56 BILLION projects planned and of course it takes money.  Part of this BIG MOVE is to find out the HOW we pay for it.

One of the issues I have with this whole process is that the provincial government (who runs Metrolinx) is essentially only discussing options for “dedicated revenue sources” which in government speak means TAXES.  Everything is on the table from dedicated gas tax increases, sales tax increases, congestion taxes, parking levies for businesses and the list goes on.

This blog post wont get into my disdain for the “tax first” mentality but to go over some statistics they’ve collected from Milton GO transit riders and review them to see what we can do first locally before jumping into the “dedicated revenue sources” discussion.

Here are some of the statistics that I found interesting:

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1,910 people end their trip at Milton GO Station (ie from out of town – mostly Cambridge/Guelph western riders)

2,720 people start their trip at Milton GO Station.

Of the 2,720 people starting their trip here, 86% use car, 7% walk, 4% bike/other and 3% use transit.

***

GO Station access

76% of people drive and park
12% of people who drive get dropped off
7% of trips are made by local transit (not including GO Bus)
5% of trips to GO Station are made by walking

***

Majority of GO customers 74% live within 5KM of the GO station.

With all the discussion going on about the Big Move www.bigmove.ca and coming up with ideas to fund this massive investment in transit, what kind of funding sources can be used here?  Parking fees?

My beef with the Big Move is that the provincial government agency Metrolinx have set up these meetings to discuss what needs to be done.  Forget for a second that they’ve moved plans for Milton expansion from their 15 year plan to 16-25 year plan, one could say that a case is being made for charging for GO parking.  Now given our current service level, I don’t think charging for parking is appropriate seeing how we have limited number of trains for this location but if there was increased service/flexibility would it be an idea you’d consider?

This goes out to those who take the GO in the morning and drive/park to the station.  What is stopping you from using Milton Transit?

St Patricks Day Weekend

Mike Cluett

Yes, its St Patricks Day Weekend.  Blarney stones, green beer and jigs will be the order of the day this coming Sunday.  Lots of fun to be had by all but we should also remember to enjoy the celebration and party responsibly.

Here is an article from the Milton Canadian Champion about Halton Police’s plans this weekend.

http://www.insidehalton.com/community/milton/article/1593505

Halton police watching on St. Pat’s weekend

Halton police announced Friday they will be out in force on the lookout for impaired drivers during the St. Patrick’s Day weekend to ensure it is remembered for its festivities and nothing else.

Police are reminding residents to plan ahead if their evening is going to involve any amount of drinking.

Such planning can include assigning a designated driver, calling a cab or using public transportation.

Police said being prepared ahead of time is key to avoiding the temptation to get behind the wheel while intoxicated.

The consequences of impaired driving are severe and can result in licence suspensions, vehicle impoundments, fines and even jail.

Police said those who drink and drive not only put themselves in danger, but their passengers and other motorists as well.

Residents who suspect a person is driving while impaired are asked to call 9-1-1 immediately.

The Halton Regional Police Service has stated it is committed to combating drinking and driving and keeping Halton’s roads safe.

Halton Region Update: Garbage Tags

Mike Cluett

Recently, the Region of Halton had approved a 3 bag limit for Halton residents for bi-weekly pickup.  Combined with changes to the Blue Box program, a 3 bag limit will encourage Halton residents to put less waste in our landfill and increase the amount of waste we recycle.  At the last Planning & Public works, Halton Region staff presented its plan to roll out the 3 bag limit for garbage collection.

Commencing March 18th, complimentary garbage tags will be available for pick up.  You can request the Region of Halton for these tags to be mailed or you can go to a number of locations to pick them up in person.  These tags clearly state that they are not acceptable for use after September 7, 2013.

After this date they will cost $2 per tag.  The $2 tags will be made available no later than August 19, 2013 and households can purchase a minimum of 5 tags for $10.

When this program goes into full effect, those in Milton can go to the following locations to purchase garbage tags.

  • Turtle Gas Bar, Brookville
  • Cristello’s Village Market, Campbellville
  • Milton Leisure Centre
  • Milton Sports Centre
  • Halton Waste Management Site
  • Milton Home Hardware
  • Milton Town Hall

This coming Saturday March 9th from 9AM-3PM at Mohawk Racetrack you will be able to pick up one complimentary blue box and an information kit which will include the following:

  • One Sheet of 5 complimentary tags
  • A new larger Blue Box & Green Cart Label
  • A package of 5 certified compostable bags for the kitchen catcher.

There are a number of other dates and times throughout Halton to pick these kits and you can check www.halton.ca for more details.  The other date for Milton will be at the Milton GO Station on Saturday March 30th from 9AM-3PM.

You can also pick up these kits and containers at the Halton Waste Management Site and the Halton Regional Centre Administration Building between the hours of 8:30AM to 4:30PM starting from March 11 to April 5th.

Commencing April 28th, households with more than 3 bags at the curb will not have it picked up and a sticker will be applied to the bag reminding them of the 3 bag limit.

You can view the report here for more information.  You can also call 311 anytime for specific questions.  Stay tuned to my website for more Halton Region updates as well.

I’ll see you at the doors.

New Blue Boxes Coming to Halton

Mike Cluett

From the Region of Halton website:

Halton Region Offers Larger Blue Boxes Starting in March

Release Date: Mar 4, 2013

Boxes will help residents recycle new Blue Box materials accepted as of April 1, 2013

Monday, April 1, 2013 will mark the start of new changes to Halton Region’s waste collection program, including larger Blue Boxes that will help residents recycle a number of new acceptable Blue Box materials. Unanimously approved by Halton Regional Council in October 2012, the changes support the Region’s Solid Waste Management Strategy and the goal to reach a 65 per cent residential waste diversion rate by 2016.

“Halton Region residents are already among the best in the province when it comes to participating in waste diversion programs like Blue Box recycling,” said Gary Carr, Halton Regional Chair. “Currently, 95 per cent of single-family homes place a Blue Box out for collection every week.”

Effective Monday, April 1, 2013, Halton residents can add more items to their Blue Box, including clear plastic clamshells (e.g. berry and lettuce containers), single-serve yogurt cups, plastic plant pots and trays, empty metal paint cans (lids removed), and cardboard cans (e.g. frozen juice cans/chip cans). A complete list of new acceptable Blue Box items can be found at www.halton.ca/NewInBlue.

To help manage these new materials, larger Blue Boxes (22-gallon capacity vs. 16-gallon) will be available to residents for pick up at:

Corpus Christi Catholic Secondary

School, 5150 Upper Middle Road, Burlington


Mohawk Racetrack (Parking Lot)

9430 Guelph Line, Campbellville


 Saturday, March 9, 2013


 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Acton District High School, 21 Cedar Road, Acton


Halton Regional Centre, 1151 Bronte Road, Oakville

 Saturday, March 16, 2013


 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Burlington Closed Landfill, 291 North Service Road, Burlington


Sheridan College, 1430 Trafalgar Road, Oakville


 Saturday, March 23, 2013


 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Robert C. Austin Operations

Centre, 11620 Trafalgar Road, Georgetown


Milton GO Station, 780 Main Street East, Milton

 Saturday, March 30, 2013


 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Starting March 11, 2013

Halton Regional Centre 1151 Bronte Road, Oakville 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Halton Waste Management Site (Scalehouse) 5400 Regional Road 25, Milton 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Robert C. Austin Operations Centre 11620 Trafalgar Road, Georgetown 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Residents can also continue to use their existing Blue Boxes.

“I am proud to say Halton residents continue to divert 60 per cent or 124,654 tonnes of residential waste away from the landfill by participating in weekly recycling, organics and other diversion programs–this is an incredible achievement, but there is always more each of us can do,” said Chair Carr. “Maximizing the amount of recycling and minimizing the amount of garbage residents produce will help increase Halton’s residential diversion rate to 65 per cent and extend the life of Halton’s landfill site by an additional four years. That is a long-term savings of $15 million to taxpayers.”

For a complete list of waste collection changes taking place in April, access Halton by dialing 311 or visiting www.halton.ca/waste.

The Regional Municipality of Halton serves more than 500,000 residents in the City of Burlington, the Town of Halton Hills, the Town of Milton, and the Town of Oakville. Halton Region is committed to meeting the needs of its residents through the delivery of cost-effective, quality programs and services, including water and wastewater; Regional roads and planning; emergency medical services; waste management; public health; social assistance; children’s and seniors’ services; social/non-profit housing; heritage programs; emergency management and business development. For more information, dial 311 or visit Halton Region’s website at www.halton.ca.

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Media Contact:

Sharon Will
Communications Specialist
Halton Region
905-825-6000 x 7490
Sharon.Will@halton.ca

MOVE MORE MILTON

Mike Cluett

From the Town of Milton MOVE MORE MILTON page.

March is More More, Milton Month! – Goal: 85,000 minutes of physical activity

Join the active revolution and get involved in Milton’s third annual Move More, Milton month. Try something new on your own or with your family, school, group, business or organization by committing to at least 15 minutes of activity each day and tracking your progress on our website. Spread the word about active living and stand out in the community by showing off the Move More, Milton orange while you participate.

Last year, we more than doubled our Move More, Milton month goal. Register to track your minutes today and help us achieve – and surpass – this year’s goal of 85,000 minutes. Groups, organizations, families and individuals will be listed here, with their planned activities and progress.

Whats on in Milton for March Break?

Mike Cluett

March break is fast approaching and if you’re trying to find things for the kids to do all week?  Check out the Town of Milton March Break flyer for some ideas.