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The hunt for Amazon\u2019s second headquarters is on, and two sites in York Region \u2013 the new Vaughan Metropolitan Centre and Markham Centre \u2013 are vying for the coveted prize.<\/p>\n
World-class transit systems could be their ticket to success in this competitive bid process. Cities and regions all over North America are competing for the golden opportunity worth a US$5 billion investment and up to 50,000 jobs.<\/p>\n
One of the top considerations for Amazon is simply logistics. With an influx of up to 50,000 potential employees at HQ2, the question becomes: how is that going work? The RFP noted a core preference for the new site to have direct access to mass transit: rail, train, subway, bus.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn weeks of speculation and showdowns, a lack of transit connectivity has been one of the great presumed disqualifiers [for the Amazon bid],\u201d writes CityLab\u2019s Laura Bliss in her article Amazon\u2019s HQ2 Hunt is a Transit Reckoning<\/a>.<\/p>\n Here in York Region, we\u2019ve been busy planning a strong rapid transit system, but the plan was never just about transit connections. The rationale behind vivaNext\u2019s bus rapid transit network has always been that the rapidways are just part of the puzzle; an investment in long-term prosperity that helps attract businesses and foster economic vitality in communities.<\/p>\n We\u2019re building it, so they can<\/em> come.<\/p>\n In the Toronto Region RFP response, maps showcase transit connections for each proposed location. For Markham Centre and Vaughan Metropolitan Centre, the picture looks good. We\u2019re beginning to forge the kind of transit connections that count when it comes time to move the masses.<\/p>\n The first subway is coming to our Region later this year with the TTC Line 1 extension serving Vaughan Metropolitan Centre. Three rapidways are up and running, including one serving the tech corridor in Markham Centre and a segment on Highway 7 East in Vaughan. Combine that with YRT\/Viva buses and GO Transit, and we have great transit connections that are ready to serve the likes of Amazon, and other big businesses on the move.<\/p>\n So Amazon, if you want to come, our rapidways are ready for you! And take note, better transit systems ultimately translate into better quality of life. Employees spend less time getting where they need to be, and more time being where they want to be.<\/p>\n Whether at home or at work, that\u2019s time well spent.<\/p>\n Read more about the Canadian bids for Amazon:<\/p>\n