The Hamilton Spectator: Metronauts pave the way of the future

Pubdate:April 16, 2008

By Erika Engel

Metrolinx is releasing a long-term regional transportation plan this fall,
and the transit body wants to know what you think
about it.

It's launched a new project called Metronauts to include the
general public in transportation discussion and planning.

Metronauts is a joint effort between Metrolinx (formerly the Greater
Toronto Transportation Authority) and the Toronto Transit Camp community, a
grassroots movement that started online with the goal of improving
the TTC, then organized its own brainstorming event last year.

A series of informal Metronauts gatherings will be held across
the Greater Toronto and Hamilton areas -- including an all-day
event in Hamilton on May 3 -- to get the
public's thoughts on transportation.

Topics at the first Metronauts meeting held in Toronto on
April 5 included social networking, cycle paths, sidewalks and improvements
to train stations.

Area residents can also join the debate online. On the
Metronauts website, launched March 25, site members can share their
thoughts on the drafts of the regional transportation plan, or
other transportation ideas, in the conversations section. Membership is free.

Metrolinx has plans to add an interactive map function so
members can virtually trace out their ideas for bicycle routes,
new sidewalks, and extra roads, lanes and bus routes in
their city, said Colleen Bell of Metrolinx.

The Hamilton meeting will be held at McMaster University from
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more details, see the
Metronauts website (metronauts.ca).

Hamilton residents can also attend the Metrolinx public meeting on
June 26 from 4 to 9 p.m. at the Hamilton
Convention Centre.