What if a TTC fantasy map was actually rooted in reality? We might be getting closer to this persistent dream as the city begins the process of scheming new transit lines in Toronto. The future of the city's transit system starts to take shape at Jean Vanier Catholic Secondary School tonight.

That's because it's the first of many open houses happening across the GTA to introduce seven (much needed) projects and upgrades that could be coming to Toronto's transit network.

Among these plans, which are happening at both the municipal and provincial levels, is the oft-discussed Downtown Relief Line, the Scarborough subway extension (and extended Crosstown LRT), SmartTrack and integrated fares.

The master plan also includes LRT lines on the Harbourfront and Jane St.

As the Star reports today, chief city planner Jennifer Keesmaat recognizes the need to get the GTA moving by working on multiple projects simultaneously and not just one at a time, as per the status quo.

The issue, of course, is funding. Planners can dream as big as fantasy mapmakers, but nothing gets built without investment from all levels of government. That said, it's crucial to have a vision for transit expansion, and this one is adequately ambitious.

The first round of regional meetings will run until March 22. But, as the Star notes, they'll happen twice yearly moving forward.