Bill 184 explained in plain English

Bill 184 amends Ontario transportation laws to expand Metrolinx's role in bike share systems, require affordable housing when Metrolinx sells land for residential development, set highway maintenance standards for three major highways, and establish a process for shortline railway companies to discontinue service.

Bill 184 amends three Ontario transportation laws. It updates the Metrolinx Act, 2006 to give Metrolinx a new responsibility to promote and coordinate municipal bike share systems (integrating their routes, fares, and schedules). It also requires that when Metrolinx sells or disposes of assets for building residential units, at least 20 per cent of those units must be affordable housing as defined in the Development Charges Act, 1997. The bill amends the Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act to set mandatory maintenance standards for Highways 11, 17, and 69 (including two-lane sections). The standards require: snow removal within four hours after snowfall ends, ice clearance within three hours of discovery, and pothole repairs within four days for potholes larger than 600 square centimetres and deeper than eight centimetres. The bill also amends the Shortline Railways Act, 1995 to restore and set out requirements for shortline railway companies that want to stop operating a railway line. Companies must advertise their intention in local newspapers, give at least 30 days for interested parties to express interest, negotiate in good faith, and offer the line to the Ontario government or affected municipalities at net salvage value if no private agreement is reached. If parties disagree on the value, an independent appraiser or arbitrator determines it.