Two senior transit executives at Metrolinx have recently left the company in what appears to be a major shakeup. The changes come amid delays in the delivery of multiple light rail vehicle projects, including the Eglinton Crosstown, Finch West, and Hurontario LRTs. The agency cited the changing complexity of its work as a reason for the internal shakeup, which has led to persistent calls for top-to-bottom transformation at Metrolinx. The changes seem to be related to the province’s transit construction woes, as one of the executives was involved in the delivery of transit projects and the other dealt with public-private partnerships.
The chief planner and chief operating officer of rapid transit were the two executives who have left the company. The chief planner oversaw the construction and completion of infrastructure and partnered with Infrastructure Ontario on P3 projects. The chief operating officer was responsible for bringing into service upcoming light rail transit and subway systems. Metrolinx has not commented on the individual employment changes, but the planning department, which had hundreds of staff, has been split and moved into various other areas of the organization. The department’s responsibilities included design, business cases, and land use decisions.
Metrolinx stated that the complexity of its work has increased significantly over the past few years, requiring the organization to evolve and adapt to deliver on North America’s largest transit expansion. The agency has been struggling for some time with several delayed light rail projects, including the Eglinton Crosstown LRT, Finch West project, and Hurontario LRT. Legal challenges from builders and issues with payments have contributed to delays in these projects, with none of the three lines having concrete opening dates. Opposition critics at Queen’s Park have criticized the Ford government’s transit agenda, citing stalled progress and delays in vital transit projects.
The delays and financial challenges plaguing Metrolinx have led to calls for changes within the organization, including the potential firing of CEO Phil Verster. Opposition leaders have expressed frustration with the handling of transit projects under the Ford government’s watch, with concerns about accountability and the ability to deliver projects on time and on budget. The latest changes at Metrolinx, including the departure of key executives, indicate ongoing issues within the agency and the need for strategic leadership to address the challenges facing transit construction in the province. The government’s handling of transit planning and project delivery continues to be a point of contention among stakeholders and critics.
