Valentine Express: Where Every Ride is Sweet
Welcome back to TAAG's newsletter, On the Move! Inside this edition: Have your say, Provincial Election Promises, Train Proposals and a Call to Action.
Happy Valentine’s Day from the Transit Action Alliance of Guelph (TAAG)!
Advocacy Report
Guelph-Cambridge Rail Project Gains Council Support
Guelph City Council has unanimously backed plans to re-establish passenger rail service between Guelph and Cambridge, authorizing Mayor Cam Guthrie to send a letter of in-principle support to Metrolinx. The initiative is based on a business plan from the Region of Waterloo and proposes hourly train service taking 15 minutes between the cities, with integration into Cambridge’s planned Pinebush LRT station.
The project, estimated to cost $396-505 million, would require further design and engineering work by Metrolinx, with a six-year timeline for completion if approved. Ongoing negotiations with CN Rail are necessary to utilize the Fergus Subdivision Line connecting Cambridge to Guelph Central Station.
Transit Action Alliance of Guelph (TAAG), along with TriTAG (Waterloo Region), and More Transit Southern Ontario (MTSO), submitted letters of support. All three groups are urging Metrolinx to expedite reviewing the proposal and we encourage them put into operation interim bus service as soon as possible.
Transit Commitments from Guelph Provincial Riding Candidates
On Tuesday, February 11th, the Transit Action Alliance of Guelph (TAAG), as a member of the Guelph Wellington Coalition for Social Justice, participated in the all-candidates meeting by setting up a table and submitting a question to the candidates.
During the discussion, all three candidates expressed support for all-day, two-way GO transit between Kitchener and Toronto, with a stop in Guelph.
Mike Schreiner (Green Party) and Cameron Spence (NDP) committed to ensuring the province funds 50% of local transit operations to enhance affordability and reliability. Mustafa Zuberi (Liberal) highlighted previous Liberal plans, such as a proposed bullet train, which was later canceled by the Ford government. Election Day is February 27.
Transit Newswire
Read the News Roundup for February 12, 2025 from TriTAG Tri-Cities Transport Action Group out of Waterloo Region.
Get Involved
Join TAAG this Saturday at the Guelph Farmers Market
TAAG will be manning the Big Umbrella table this Saturday February 15 from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. at the Guelph Farmers Market. Drop by and have a chat about transit and local issues. Sign up or renew your membership as well.
Have Your Say: Guelph’s Asset Management Levels of Service Plan
The City of Guelph is inviting public input on its Asset Management Levels of Service Plan, which will determine how critical infrastructure—such as sidewalks, bike lanes, and transit facilities—is maintained and prioritized. Proper investment and planning in transit and active transportation infrastructure are vital to ensuring Guelph remains accessible, safe, and sustainable for all residents.
Key areas of concern include winter maintenance, as transit stops, sidewalks, and bike lanes often take too long to clear, leaving people to navigate snowbanks or icy patches. Additionally, accessibility issues persist, with some transit stops being hard to reach due to broken sidewalks or poorly placed curb cuts. Connectivity gaps between bike lanes, pedestrian paths, and transit stops make combining walking or cycling with transit difficult, while neglected maintenance—such as potholes near transit stops or faded crosswalks—creates safety hazards.
Investing in transit and active transportation infrastructure offers numerous benefits:
Reduces traffic congestion and emissions.
Ensures compliance with accessibility laws (AODA).
Qualifies Guelph for federal and provincial funding for walking, cycling, and transit projects.
Supports residents who rely on affordable and sustainable transit options.
Improves safety and contributes to Vision Zero goals.
The survey deadline is February 21, 2025. Share your feedback here and help shape the future of Guelph’s transit and active transportation infrastructure.
TAAG Rider Survey is still open!
Take our short 5 minute survey at taaguelph.com/survey. Look for the results to be out sometime this spring!
Downtown Heights - Proposed Official Plan Amendment
The City of Guelph is updating its Official Plan to support sustainable downtown growth and meet density targets of 200 people and jobs per hectare by 2051. The amendment includes taller buildings (up to 20 storeys), heritage preservation, transit-oriented development, and the elimination of parking minimums. Feedback is open until February 16.
What the City is Proposing
Taller Buildings: Up to 20 storeys in select areas, with context-sensitive designs to minimize impacts on neighborhoods.
Heritage Protection: Preserving the Basilica's prominence with protected view corridors.
Transit-Oriented Growth: Focusing development along planned transit investments.
Flexible Zoning: Considering additional height allowances through a Community Planning Permit By-law.
No Parking Minimums: Promoting sustainable, transit-focused lifestyles.
What TAAG is Advocating For
The Transit Action Alliance of Guelph (TAAG) stresses that frequent, reliable transit must precede downtown intensification. TAAG advocates for:
Prioritizing the development of a high-frequency, 15-minute or better transit network throughout the city and downtown before allowing significant building intensification.
Ensuring transit-first growth is aligned with existing and planned transit corridors.
Eliminating parking minimums to encourage sustainable, people-centred development.
Enhancing pedestrian and cyclist connections to transit hubs for seamless access.
Planning with equity in mind to ensure affordability and accessibility for all residents.
Adopting the "density done well" approach to balance growth with vibrant urban design and sustainable infrastructure.
Make sure you put in your input and have your say before February 16.
We need you: Join the Transit Action Alliance of Guelph
Since 2017, the Transit Action Alliance of Guelph (TAAG) has been a powerful voice for better transit in our city. From organizing a successful Transit Summit to securing real changes in the Future Ready Transit Plan, we’ve held politicians accountable and pushed for improvements and funding. But there’s still work to be done.
Now, more than ever, we need your support to continue advocating for the future of transit in Guelph. We’re facing many ongoing transit challenges, and your voice is crucial in making real change happen.
By joining TAAG, you’ll be part of a community that’s fighting for:
Frequent, accessible, affordable, and reliable transit services for everyone
Sustainable, transit-friendly development in our city
Greater investment in public transit infrastructure
We offer memberships at all levels, from free to paid, so there’s an option for everyone to get involved. Plus, we’re looking for passionate volunteers to help with projects or even join our Board of Directors.
This is your chance to make a difference. The time to act is now—are you in?
Sign up today at www.taaguelph.com/join or email us at contact@taaguelph.com to get started.
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