Toronto Transit Proposal 2012 - Comments and Concerns

Toronto Transit Proposal - 2012

Comments and Concerns

Following is a copy of my comments and concerns regarding the proposed options tabled in 2012:

The Existing Scarborough RT

1 – The existing Scarborough RT from the Kennedy Subway Station to the Scarborough Town Centre was a mistake

2 – Replacing the existing Scarborough RT with a new LRT is a new mistake

3 – It makes absolutely no sense to have two major modes of transportation terminate at Scarborough Town Centre when there are points North and East of Scarborough Town Centre that need service now and in the immediate future

4 – With the cost of rapid transit being so high, isn’t it a waste of money to have two major modes of transportation running so close together parallel with each other for a distance of almost 2.5 kilometers [one, the proposed LRT (just North of the 401) along Sheppard from Kennedy to Scarborough Town Centre; and the second, the proposed LRT (just South of the 401) along Progress Avenue from Kennedy to Scarborough Town Centre]?

5 – The existing Scarborough RT line and route should be scrapped and replaced with a new extension to the Bloor Danforth subway from Kennedy Road and Eglinton, along McCowan Road to the Scarborough Town Centre and Markville Shopping Centre, and even further North to McCowan Road and 16^th Avenue in Markham Ontario - No waste, and the best option for points North of Scarborough

The Existing Sheppard Avenue Subway

6 – “The Sheppard Avenue Subway suffers from lack of use” - That’s because it doesn’t go anywhere - It needs to be completed

7 – Extending the Sheppard Avenue Subway with an LRT is a mistake - At no time should different modes of transit be connected end to end, unless absolutely necessary - The loss of time in transferring from one mode of transit to another is too great 

8 – When publishing the cost comparisons between subway vs LRT, they always forget to mention the $1 billion it will take to build the transitional station between the new LRT line and the existing subway terminus at Don Mills and Sheppard Avenue

9 – The Sheppard Subway should not be diverted to Scarborough Town Centre from its primary role as an East West route along Sheppard - It should cross a new North South McCowan Road Subway at McCowan Road and Sheppard Avenue - No waste, and the best option for points East of Scarborough [My opinion has changed since I first submitted this suggestion in 2012 - I still believe that direct is best, but; following the latest Scarborough Transit Planning Update (January 21, 2016), I think the proposal to extend the Crosstown East LRT to Malvern is a sound idea, will resolve transit issues in those areas of Scarborough for now (the LRT could turn eventually be turned back on itself, possibly be directed through Centennial College en route back to Scarborough Centre, and possibly through to the Kennedy and Ellesmere SmartTrack station), and I now believe that a new mode of future rapid transit from Scarborough Centre to Picking and beyond makes more sense] *

10 - The Sheppard Avenue Subway should be extended East to Malvern and the Metro Toronto Zoo; and West to Downsview Park, Etobicoke, Pearson Airport, and Mississauga - If you build it, they will come! [Again; my opinion has changed since I first submitted this suggestion in 2012 - The proposal to extend the Crosstown East LRT to Malvern will resolve transit issues in those areas of Scarborough for now, and I now believe that a new mode of future rapid transit from Scarborough Centre to Pickering and beyond makes more sense - This could be anything from another SmartTrack, to some new modern mode of rapid transit] *

 * I am working on a map that will illustrate all or most of the proposals I have been making on this blog - STAY TUNED! 

These subways are long overdue - The above scenarios will result in the most optimum configuration with regard to maximizing ridership and efficiency 

Eglinton Subway Option

An Eglinton Avenue Subway would be an acceptable alternate to a new extension to the Bloor Danforth subway along McCowan Road; however, the existing Scarborough RT line and route should still be scrapped in favour of a new route along Eglinton Avenue and McCowan Road and north to Markham and Markville Shopping Centre [This comment is now dated of course - I still think it could have been a good option though]

Links

Toronto Star

http://www.thestar.com/news/city_hall/2012/01/25/a_new_toronto_transit_proposal_delivers_more_bang_for_the_82_billion_buck.html

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/transportation/2016/01/20/revised-scarborough-subway-plan-eliminates-2-stations.html


Notes
 
FYI; the links posted here should all still be good, but; I will be abandoning this blog and will only be updating this blog from time to time - Visit my new blog at www.torontotransitblog.com for information, ideas, comments, and concerns regarding traffic and transit in the GTA

P.S - I am working on a map that will illustrate all or most of my key proposals and ideas, so; STAY TUNED to www.torontotransitblog.com - My proposals and maps should be ready by the end of February 2016