Councillors are voting soon on whether to advance the Eglinton East light rail transit line to 10% design. That means we still have time to have a voice in the project and convince them to make it as fast, high-capacity, and reliable as possible.
Councillors are voting soon on whether to advance the Eglinton East light rail transit line to 10% design. That means we still have time to have a voice in the project and convince them to make it as fast, high-capacity, and reliable as possible.
There is a lot to like about the new plan for the Eglinton East LRT. But we have questions about the capacity of the new line and whether it will serve the needs of Scarborough.
Can you take 30 seconds today to send an email to your Councillor? Your voice is needed to convince them to invest in a fast, high-capacity public transit network for Scarborough.
Copy and paste this email template, and scroll down for more information from the reports.
You can also register to speak at the Executive Committee meeting on June 8, 2022 by emailing [email protected].
EMAIL TO: | [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] |
CC: | [email protected] |
SUBJECT: | Invest in fast, high-capacity light rail transit for Scarborough |
EMAIL TEXT: |
Dear Mayor Tory and Scarborough Councillors, For too long, Scarborough residents have been underserved by rapid transit. Transit inequality will only get worse when the Scarborough RT (Line 3) shuts down next year in 2023, forcing thousands of Scarborough transit riders to take slower, congested replacement buses for years. Residents were promised a fast train with high capacity like the Eglinton Crosstown. But now we are getting a cheaper version that will have lower capacity and could be slower than the buses in RapidTO lanes! (source: EELRT Initial Business Case). I urge you to act now for a faster, higher-capacity EELRT by:
The Business Case says so itself: “Further work defining the local bus network to complement the Eglinton East LRT may result in higher ridership for the LRT scenario.” So why plan for a lower capacity line? Scarborough residents are sick and tired of receiving the short end of the transit expansion stick. I am counting on you to act now to ensure Scarbrough gets a fast, high-capacity light rail transit line rather than a shell of what was promised to residents. Sincerely, |
How can I learn more about this plan?
Link to Eglinton East LRT Initial Business Case, May 2022:
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2022/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-226595.pdf
Link to Advancing City Priority Transit Expansion Projects – Eglinton East LRT and Waterfront East LRT, May 2022:
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2022/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-226594.pdf
What's new about the Eglinton East LRT plan?
What will the capacity and service frequency be?
Capacity and projected ridership information is not included in the above reports. Here are the assumptions made that we used to calculate potential capacity.
The report states:
“The distinct-service can effectively meet EELRT peak demand over the long term using trains of 50 metres or less, operating at approximately 5 minute frequencies. … The distinct-service concept will allow for the selection of LRVs that are tailored specifically for the EELRT, in terms of length and car parts (e.g. 2-car trains).” (p. 9)
Later, there is a reference to "greater operational flexibility to improve level of service cost effectively (e.g., mixed 1-car/2- car service).” (p. 12)
Based on this information, TTCriders has assumed that 1-car trains would measure approximately 25 metres. It is also possible that the Eglinton East LRT will begin service with 1-car trains.
Compare a 25-metre train to:
TTC Flexity Streetcar
30.2 metres/vehicle
251 person capacity (70 seated, 181 standing)
Eglinton Crosstown vehicle
~32 metres/vehicle
Each train will have 2-3 vehicles (meaning each train would be 60 or 90 metres long, with a capacity of 326-489 people)
We’ve asked candidates whether they’ll invest in more TTC service, protect door-to-door Wheel-Trans service, expand TTC’s low-income discount, approve fare capping and more. View candidates’ detailed answers to our survey, information about their transit platforms, and more.
Do you still have TTC tokens or paper senior/student tickets or day passes? The TTC has announced that they will stop accepting TTC tokens and paper tickets after December 31, 2024. But the TTC will not be issuing exchanges. This is unfair to people who have saved up tokens and tickets, especially low-income seniors. Gift cards and permanent stamps never expire -- why are transit fares any different?
(Toronto, ON) – Transit advocacy organization TTCriders will hold a rally today at 5:00pm outside Bathurst Subway Station to call on federal Members of Parliament to invest in TTC repairs and new subway trains on Line 2 by accelerating implementation of the Canada Public Transit Fund. The rally is part of a national “Transit Action Week” being organized in 5 Canadian cities. (Cantonese, Mandarin, French spokespeople available.)