Metrolinx has proposed a massive expansion of public transit in the GTA as Mayor David Miller pleaded for federal help in building the infrastructure of all Canada's major cities.

The ambitious initiative is the largest transit proposed expansion in years and it is designed specifically to get people out of their cars. The goal is to double the number of people currently taking transit, with 55 per cent of people getting to work by transit in 45 minutes or less.

"We have been falling behind for decades in transportation planning and investment. But 'The Big Move' is our recommendation for turning that around," said Metrolinx chair Rob MacIssac on Tuesday.

The government agency's, $50-billion, 20-year plan includes the following:

  • A region-wide fare card
  • A cycling network
  • A information system for travellers
  • Expansions of Highways 407, 404, 427 and the 410

Aside from new subway lines around Toronto and into York region, the Metrolinx plan calls for a transit link from Pearson airport to Union, Finch and Eglinton subway stations. There is also a call for rapid transit lines across the GTA and improved, faster GO Transit service.

The cost for the first seven years -- $11.5 billion -- will be funded by the province. The Metrolinx board will then have to assess other options, such as road tolls and congestion taxes, to fund the rest of the plan.

There are hopes the federal government will contribute another $6 billion.

Miller's plea

Miller described the plan as a significant step forward for both Toronto and the region.

Miller was in Montreal on Tuesday, delivering a speech about why federal politicians should address local issues.

He said Canada needs a national transit strategy. He told reporters that such a transit plan would ensure cities are successful but that Ottawa needs to help cities fund new infrastructure.

"If you invest in public transit, you help ensure that Bay Street succeeds and best of all, you help to ensure that Main Street succeeds," he said at the news conference. "When you invest in public transit, you create good quality high technology manufacturing jobs. These are the issues that concern our country as a whole, and these issues are non partisan."

Miller said no other country in the world forces their cities to solely fund their own transit.

"You can't build those kinds of things without proper permanent funding (or) the support of the national government," he said. "No other country tries to do it. The question to me is, is Canada going to put itself on the same page as the economies of the world where people are mobile."

Miller said some of these projects should have been built 20 years ago, when federal funding helped build high-density neighbourhoods.

"We can't wait anymore. It's hurting Canada's productivity, it's hurting the productivity of our businesses and its hurting the social integration of our neighbourhoods."

The transit plan still needs to go through several stages before a final plan is released by the end of the year.

Ontario's Premier McGuinty told reporters at Queen's Park on Tuesday that he wants to "get along with" the plan as quickly as possible to ease transit gridlock on Ontario roads.

Some plans are already well underway. Construction is expected to begin next year on the new subway to York University, the Sheppard Line extension, the Brampton Exceleride and a Viva transit project in York Region.

Opposition leader John Tory said he's concerned about the plan's idea for toll roads.

"I think we're taxed to death," he said. "If we need to do new transit progress, which we do, we should find ways to finance it that are more innovative than just taxing people and we should find ways to get the government more effective in working together towards that plan."

With a report from CTV Toronto's Naomi Parness and Paul Bliss