The following is the text of the deputation I will be presenting on August 30 at the TTC meeting. Note that the length and complexity are dictated by the context of public deputations with a finite limit on both time and attention by the Commission.
The text of this presentation has been edited to indicate changes made when it was delivered.
The SRT study is to be considered at the TTC meeting on August 30. There are three documents in all:
I am not going to attempt to duplicate this material here and recommend that readers review the documents for detailed background to this issue. Continue reading
Moments ago on the CBC, I listened to Councillor and TTC Commissioner Glenn De Baeremaeker talking about where transit should be going in Scarborough. Next week, the Scarborough caucus of Toronto Council will ask the TTC to adopt a plan to build a network of streetcar lines in Scarborough rather than simply replacing the RT line’s existing equipment.
Reading between the lines of De Baeremaeker’s comments, TTC staff are recommending the lowest-cost option — new RT cars — rather than conversion to LRT as the basis for a Scarborough network.
Clearly, Scarborough Councillors want a network that will improve service throughout the east end of Toronto. This is a big change from their former position asking for a subway replacement for the RT. The contrast with the situation on the Spadina extension through York University to Vaughan is quite amazing.
In today’s Star, we learn that Vaughan’s Mayor Di Biase is confident that Ottawa will fund the subway as well as bus-only lanes and LRT in York Region. Just imagine how much more LRT we could build if we didn’t insist on tthat $2-billion subway extension.
The tide may finally be turning for LRT in Scarborough, and I hope that the TTC will embrace this proposal. Let’s see how much an LRT network would cost, what sort of service it can provide and how soon we can build it.
This perennial issue never goes away, at least not on my site. Continue reading
The draft Terms of Reference for the Environmental Assessment of the eastern waterfront transit plans goes to the TTC for approval next Wednesday.
This draft is the product by much work in full public meetings as well as a community consultation group. I must commend the team who worked on the draft for their openness to changes, expansion in scope and generally inclusive approach. The stage of building a ToR can be extremely tedious, but it is vital to ensure that all of the alternatives are considered in the EA itself. This is a refreshing change from the St. Clair project.
Assuming that the TTC approves the draft, it will go to the Ministry of the Environment for review over the next few months. While that is underway, some preliminary work will continue collecting information needed for the study and also presenting some technical workshops so that the community can better understand the work behind transportation planning and design.
Meanwhile, the Scarborough RT study is not included on this week’s TTC agenda although it was originally planned for a June presentation. I suspect that recent events at the TTC coupled with the relatively tighter timelines on the Waterfront studies have pushed the SRT report off into the summer.
My friend Ed Drass just sent me a puff piece from the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) about the impending opening of their new inter-terminal shuttle. Read all about it here. [This link is no longer active.]
What amuses me immensely is the propulsion technology. The cars are pulled along by a “rope” to which they are attached. There is only one unit on each of two tracks and so collisions are impossible.
We technically savvy railfan types will recognize this as a blend of elevator and cablecar technology. Just think of the tourism potential if they hadn’t built an automated system! In my mind’s eye, I see GTAA staff, in a period conductor’s uniform with the title “gripman” (or maybe “gripperson” to be more 21st century about it). The cars could have lovely wooden trim, bench seats, and running-boards for the adventurous riders.
Might be a bit chilly for those interterminal transfers in February, but maybe we could have a summer and a winter fleet.
Hmmm … this sounds like the sort of high-tech transit the Urban Transportation Development Corporation would lap up. A new world-beating technology! Just in time to replace the Scarborough RT!
[We will return to our regular, curmudgeonly programming later this week with a look at next Wednesday’s TTC meeting.]
A batch of reader comments on the technology debates. Continue reading
More letters from readers. I’m posting Scarborough RT feedbacks in a separate thread now because the original one was getting rather long. Continue reading
Today’s Toronto Star contains an editorial endorsing the use of LRT as the technology to replace the existing RT. Here is the full text [I am posting it here as it will disappear from the paper’s website in a week or so]. Continue reading
Back in April 1977, the TTC and the Metro Toronto Planning Department produced a feasibility study for a Scarborough LRT line. I’m not going into all of the details as it’s too sad to contemplate the missed opportunity. Queen’s Park wanted to show off their toy trains, and the chance for a suburban transit network was lost for decades, maybe forever.
Here’s just a taste.
