Category Archives: Finance

TTC Meeting May 24, 2013 (Update 3)

The agenda for the TTC meeting on May 24 contains a few items of interest, but also a troubling sign that matters of public interest are being debated behind closed doors. Items included in this preview: New Streetcar Implementation Plan … Continue reading

Posted in Finance, New Streetcars, Service Cost and Quality, Spadina Car, Transit, Union Station, Waterfront | 27 Comments

Five Years, Seven Goals: Where Will The TTC Be In 2018

TTC CEO Andy Byford addressed the Empire Club on May 13, 2013 setting out a strong argument for political and financial support for the transit system (full text at the Torontoist site).  After last week’s debacle at Council where almost … Continue reading

Posted in A Grand Plan, Finance, Service Cost and Quality, Transit | 21 Comments

TTC Meeting Wrapup: April 24, 2013 (Updated)

The TTC met on April 24 to discuss a rather thin agenda, and the meeting was over in a not-quite-record 90 minutes.  Discussed here: May meeting preview CEO’s Report Customer Satisfaction Survey Property Acquisition Management Plan Pape Station reconstruction A … Continue reading

Posted in Finance, New Streetcars, Service Cost and Quality, Subways, Transit, Vehicles | 42 Comments

City Hall’s Transit Gridlock Must End (Updated)

April 29, 2013:  Now that the Scarborough Subway is back on the table, what are the implications of the LRT and subway options.  See my comments on the Torontoist. (Original post from April 24 below.) Toronto Executive Committee’s vote to … Continue reading

Posted in A Grand Plan, Finance, Transit, Urban Affairs | Comments Off

How Much Does Toronto Want to be Taxed for Transit?

The City of Toronto adds its voice to the debate over transit revenue generation with a report at its Executive Committee meeting on April 23, 2013.  There are actually three sub-items on the agenda: The main staff report giving background … Continue reading

Posted in A Grand Plan, Finance, Transit | 8 Comments

A Chat With Minister Murray (Part II) (Corrected)

Correction: April 16, 2013 at 5:45 pm: Responses to some questions (Q4-Q7) in this article were originally attributed to Metrolinx.  In fact these responses came from the Minister’s office based on policy information collected there.  Text of the article has … Continue reading

Posted in A Grand Plan, Finance, Transit | 19 Comments

The Metrolinx “Big Conversation”: What are The People Saying?

Through early 2013, Metrolinx conducted roundtables across the GTHA to sound out interested citizens on the transportation plan, “The Big Move”, and on possible ways that this might be funded.  A summary report consolidating the input from each area makes … Continue reading

Posted in A Grand Plan, Beyond 416, Finance, GO Transit, Transit | 18 Comments

Metrolinx Reveals Preferred Revenue Tools, But Says Little About Investment

On April 2, 2013, Metrolinx released a list of the preferred “revenue tools” in its forthcoming “Investment Strategy”. Public consultation until today featured a longer list, and several of the options fell off of the table thanks to public and … Continue reading

Posted in A Grand Plan, Beyond 416, Fares & Fare Collection, Finance, GO Transit, Hamilton, Transit | 35 Comments

TTC Meeting Wrapup: March 27, 2013

The Toronto Transit Commission met on March 27.  This wrapup includes comments on: Purchase of Articulated Buses The CEO’s Report for March 2013 The Gateway Newsstand Contract Priorities for Subway Station Elevators The Leslie Barns project, and the streetcar system … Continue reading

Posted in Accessibility, Bus Technology, Finance, Service Cost and Quality, Transit, Vehicles | 15 Comments

What Should Be In The Metrolinx Investment Strategy?

With much talk about “new revenue tools” and debates over the least objectionable way to extract $2-billion or more from taxpayers in southern Ontario, the actual purpose of the Metrolinx “Investment Strategy” has faded into the background.  Somehow the act … Continue reading

Posted in A Grand Plan, Beyond 416, Finance, GO Transit, Transit | 32 Comments