From our allies at Scarborough Transit Action.
Toronto City Council is currently debating whether to replace the current Scarborough RT with a modern LRT, or a subway extension of the Bloor-Danforth line along Eglinton and up McCowan Rd. Both options would connect with the future LRT along Sheppard.
Shaun Cleaver, TTCrider member and University of Toronto graduate student sent the following email to Murtaza Haider of Ryerson University on July 10, 2013 in response to a disappointing commentary published in the Globe & Mail.
The City of Toronto has initiated Phase 2 of Feeling Congested, a public consultation project on the future of transportation in Toronto. As part of Phase 2, the City is looking for feedback on a draft complete streets framework, rapid transit decision-making criteria, and a bicycle policy framework. The consultation results will help inform transportation policies in Toronto's Official Plan, a high level policy document which guides growth and development in the City.
TTCriders wrote a follow-up a letter to Metrolinx responding to their shortlist of revenue tools to fund transit expansion in the GTHA in advance of the release Metrolinx releasing its final investment strategy. The strategy includes a 1% increase to HST, a 5-cents per litre increase in gas tax, a business parking levy, and a 15% increase in development charges.
This letter to the editor was published in the Toronto Star on Monday June 10. Tell us what you think of this issue in the comments box. You can also express your opinion to your local city councillor.
On Monday, TTCriders wrote a follow-up a letter to Metrolinx responding to their shortlist of revenue tools to fund transit expansion in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.
In our letter, we identified that corporate and high-income tax revenue, while absent from Metrolinx's shortlist, are critical sources for funding transit expansion and operations. Corporate and high-income taxes are progressive, equitable and historically important tools which should be included in the mix of revenue tools.
CodeRedTO, a small group of people devoted to improving transit growth in Toronto, is holding information sessions around the city (and not just downtown, there is one for each of Etobicoke, North York and Scarborough).
Thanks to all your membership donations, TTCriders just printed our first big run of membership postcards. Special thanks goes to our graphic designer, Scott Kletke. If you're looking for a designer please reach out to him. Thanks also to the photographer, Jose Ongpin.
Written by Shaun Cleaver, TTCriders External Affairs Committee member
On Tuesday March 26th the Toronto Councillor for Ward 33, Shelley Carroll, hosted a public meeting to discuss public transit in the ward and in the city. Being a resident of Ward 33 (I live just south of Fairview Mall) I eagerly rode the #10 Van Horne to Pleasant View Community Centre to discuss plans to improve transit in our neighbourhood to increase our connectivity in the city and region. Surprising to me, the open dialogue portion of the meeting devolved into a repeat of the highly damaging “subway vs. light rail transit (LRT)” debate that unnecessarily delayed badly needed improvements to Toronto’s transit infrastructure.
On Wednesday night, TTCriders hosted its inaugural “Transit Talk” Town Hall event at Metro Hall, giving Toronto’s transit riders a chance to share their comments, questions, feedback and concerns directly with TTC Chief Executive Officer Andy Byford and Chief Customer Officer Chris Upfold.
“Transit in Toronto has fallen far behind with riders desperately craving improved service. Becoming a member of TTCriders is the most effective way you can help advocate for a brighter transit future for Toronto.” Geoffrey Singer signed up to become a member in March 2014.