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The Metrolinx board recently approved the Ontario agency's regional transportation plan, "The Big Move: Transforming Transportation in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area."

The 25-year, $50 billion transit improvement program calls for providing faster, more frequent service on several GO Transit lines; adding regional rail service between Georgetown and Union Station, and Milton and downtown Toronto; adding GO Transit service to Bowmanville, Seaton and Bolton; extending the Spadina subway from Downsview Station to York University and the Vaughan Corporate Centre, and from Finch Station to Langstaff in Richmond Hill; and adding new rapid transit service in several Toronto suburbs.

As part of a $7 billion five-year capital plan, the board also approved moving forward with two of the Big Move projects in 2009. The agency plans to begin construction on the Sheppard East light-rail project in Toronto and VIVA bus rapid transit project in the York Region.

Created by the Ontario government in 2006, Metrolinx is charged with developing and implementing an integrated multi-modal transportation plan for Toronto, Hamilton and four surrounding municipalities.