Transit Oriented Communities

The Province of Ontario has committed to a multibillion-dollar expansion of the transit network across the Greater Golden Horseshoe.

As part of this historic opportunity, Metrolinx is creating partnerships to deliver Transit Oriented Communities (TOC) at new and existing transit stations.

TOC is higher density, mixed-use development that is connected, next to or within a short walk of transit stations and stops. This type of development is designed to increase transit ridership and reduce traffic congestion, increase housing supply and jobs with access to transit, catalyze complete communities based on good planning principles, and provide positive value capture for the Province to maximize transit investment while reducing tax payer burden.

The TOC program will leverage the experience of third-party partners to make it easier and faster for our customers to get to the places that matter most -- bringing jobs, destinations, and housing closer to transit.

For more information on the different types of development partnerships being planned, and the process for becoming a partner, please refer to the GO Transit and Light Rail Transit Stations sections of the TOC webpages.

See how TOC is already working at Mimico and Woodbine GO stations. On June 11, 2020, Metrolinx published the Updated Business Case for the delivery of a new Park Lawn GO Station through the TOC program.

FAQs – Transit Oriented Communities

Q. What does Transit Oriented Communities mean?

A. Transit Oriented Communities (TOC) are higher density, mixed-use development that is connected, next to or within a short walk of transit stations and transit stops. Metrolinx has always envisioned TOC as a key part of the region’s growth. The 2041 Regional Transportation Plan Strategy #4, supports TOC as Mobility Hubs, achieved through public and private collaboration, as a vital opportunity to maximize transit investment.

Q. What are the objectives of TOC?

A. Metrolinx has identified an opportunity to leverage the Province’s investment in transit infrastructure and work with third parties to reduce the costs to taxpayers. Transit Oriented Communities encourage the following:

• Increase transit ridership and reduce traffic congestion
• Increase housing supply and jobs with access to transit
• Catalyze complete communities based on good planning principles
• Positive value capture for the Province to maximize transit investment while reducing tax payer burden

Q. What types of TOC opportunities are there?

A. TOC are being implemented through four work streams:

• Market Driven Strategy – Leveraging transit services for the implementation of new and improved transit infrastructure through third-party funded projects
• Joint Development – Leveraging Metrolinx-owned and/or privately-owned lands to integrate station facilities and other assets into private sector developments
• Dispositions – The disposition of surplus Metrolinx-owned lands for high-density mixed-use development near transit facilities
• Entrance Connections – Engaging third parties to coordinate direct connections and other integration between transit facilities and adjacent developments

Q. Does this apply to the four priority subway projects?

A: No, this TOC program applies to Metrolinx’s GO Transit stations. Learn about the Province of Ontario’s TOC plan to build vibrant, higher density, mixed-use communities that are connected to the four priority subway projects.

Q. How will Metrolinx-owned lands near transit stations be brought to market?

A: Metrolinx has identified some large surplus lands with high development potential and plans to bring these to market as they are available.

All provincial crown agencies, including Metrolinx, are bound by the Ontario Realty Directive in the management, acquisition and disposition of property. Dispositions will be advertised as they become available and will be brought to market through a competitive process.

Q. What is the process for implementing TOC and working with third parties?

A. New transit stations and other significant transit infrastructure projects will follow a business case process and must demonstrate benefits to the network.

Third parties interested in working with us can reach out at TOC@Metrolinx.com

Q. What are the cost savings to the Ontario taxpayer?

A. The TOC Program offers opportunities to reduce the capital cost for high order transit by working with the private sector and leveraging third-party investment.

Q. Will the community have input into TOC?

A. The established municipal planning and environmental assessment processes allow for the community to participate in a consistent, meaningful, transparent and timely manner, and will continue as part of TOC. As with any development project, the community will have multiple opportunities to provide input through these processes.