
"I think adequate consideration has been given to address the needs of the residents of the Finch Ave West line, as well as people east of Scarborough Centre. The way the whole plan has been repackaged, there has been some modified plans put in place that will address those needs," TTC Commissioner and Councillor Frank Di Giorgio
Please email ([email protected]) or call (416-392-4066) Commissioner and Ward 12 City Councillor Di Giorgio if you happen to think Finch West transit users deserve more than overcrowded, unpredictable buses and Scarborough East residents deserve the Light Rail transit they were promised.
You can also send a message to all elected officials in Toronto on Mayor Ford's new transit plan by clicking here.
Quick TTC meeting highlights:
- Transit Commissioners agreed to create a new bus stop at Variety Village. Commissioners unanimously voted to operate every second bus trip on the 12 Kingston Rd route to a new bus stop on Danforth Avenue in front of Variety Village as of May 8.
- It was revealed that former City Councillor and Mayor Ford transition team member, Gordon Chong, had been hired to be the conductor of Mayor Ford's new gravy train AKA the new President, CEO, Secretary, Treasurer and Co-chair of Toronto Transit Infrastructure Limited. This has been reported on extensively by City Hall media (Read what the Toronto Star, Globe and Mail, National Post, Toronto Sun, CBC, Inside Toronto, had to say about this.)
- All but one Commissioner scoffed at the need for a transparent strategy and public consultation plans to address those transit riders now apparently stuck with no new transit as a result of the Mayor's revised transit plan.
Commissioner and Councillor Maria Augimeri put forward the following motion as requested in a deputation made by former TTC vice-Chair and Ward 21 City Councillor Joe Mihevc:
MOTION: REPORT 8G – TORONTO TRANSIT INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED
REQUEST STAFF TO UNDERTAKE THE FOLLOWING IN PREPARATION FOR THE TTC AND COUNCIL DELIBERATIONS ON THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING:
- INVESTIGATE SOLUTIONS FOR PASSENGERS ON FINCH AVE WEST AND SHEPPARD AVE. EAST, EAST OF SCARBOROUGH TOWN CENTRE, WHO ARE LOSING AN LRT.
- A COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF THE SHEPPARD SUBWAY PROPOSAL THAT INCLUDES THE LOST OPPORTUNITY COSTS.
- OPERATING COSTS AND SUBSIDY REQUIREMENTS AFTER THE SHEPPARD LINE IS BUILT.
- A STRATEGY TO PAY FOR THE SUNK COSTS AND CANCELLATION FEES.
- PUBLIC CONSULTATION
Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, this motion failed. (Recorded Voting results: FOR: Augimeri, AGAINST: Di Giorgio, Milczyn, Palacio, Crisanti, Kelly, Stintz, Denzil Minnan-Wong ABSENT: Parker)
Clearly these Councillors need to hear from TTCriders on their approach to Mayor Ford's new transit plan. Click here to send them a message!