London transit and PowerCo: regional growth and commuting in Southwestern Ontario

Southwestern Ontario is changing. As Volkswagen PowerCo develops its large-scale battery plant in St. Thomas, the region is becoming more connected than ever. This growth is not just about jobs. It is about how people move between communities and how systems like London transit respond to that change.

A region that already functions as one

London and St. Thomas are only about 25 kilometres apart. Thousands of people already live in one community and work in another. As development accelerates, those patterns will only increase.

“You cannot stop people from Komoka, Delaware or Thorndale coming into London and using city resources,” Pol explains. “The way to manage that is through a regional perspective—one that recognises travel patterns, job markets, and infrastructure links that cross municipal boundaries.”

This means mobility planning cannot stop at city borders.

The impact of PowerCo Canada

The new battery plant represents one of the largest investments in Canada’s clean manufacturing sector. Estimates suggest 3,000 direct jobs and up to 30,000 indirect jobs.  These roles will be spread across the region, not confined to St. Thomas alone.

“Many will commute from London and nearby towns. That creates pressure on the road network, on parking, and on housing affordability.”

As more people move between communities, demand on transportation systems will increase.

What this means for London transit

Today, most travel between London and St. Thomas is done by car. But long-term growth will require more options. London transit, including services operated by the London Transit Commission, may need to expand beyond traditional city routes to support regional commuting patterns.

“Long-term, we have to think about mode choice,” Pol says. “When employment and education spread across municipalities, you need more than one reliable way to travel.”

Potential solutions include:

• Intercity bus routes
• Park-and-ride systems
• Future rail connections

These options would help reduce congestion and provide alternatives to driving. Long-term transit planning strategies, including mobility master plans, will also play an important role in managing future commuting demand across the region.

Managing growth through regional planning

Transportation is only one part of the challenge. Housing, infrastructure and services must also adapt to regional growth.

“Regional mapping shows where workers live and where the jobs are,” Pol explains. “That’s essential for deciding where to build new homes, schools, and services.”

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) allow decision-makers to:

• Model commuting patterns
• Identify bottlenecks
• Plan infrastructure investments
• This helps ensure growth is coordinated rather than reactive.

Why governance matters

One of the biggest challenges is coordination.

“You can’t stop people from crossing borders—so plan and fund regionally,” Pol says.

Different municipalities share the same infrastructure, but decision-making is often separate.

Possible solutions include:

• Regional municipalities
• Transportation authorities
• Shared planning frameworks

These approaches allow costs and responsibilities to be distributed more fairly.

Looking ahead

The growth of PowerCo Canada and the continued expansion of London are reshaping how the region functions. Mobility, housing and infrastructure are becoming regional issues, not local ones.

“Regional planning is not about taking control away,” Pol concludes. “It’s about sharing responsibility so that everyone benefits.”