Bellamy is the best Scarborough subway alignment, but an LRT network is the best transit option for riders in Scarborough

[caption id="attachment_5962" align="alignleft" width="461"]SSEphasetwo image 1036x1129 Image courtesy City of Toronto[/caption]

The Scarborough Subway Extension Project has completed phase two and the City wants to know which alignment we prefer: Midland, McCowan or Bellamy?

The criteria used to narrow down the choice were travel time, development potential around subway stations and distance from Smart Track. There was also consideration given to proximity to natural heritage features, Neighbourhood Improvement areas and costs.

All three lines selected run east along Eglinton and turn north up to Scarborough Town Centre and on to Sheppard. The Bellamy alignment - Tory’s preferred option (2.9 km east of Smart Track) would have an extra station at Bellamy and Eglinton to connect with GO service along Lakeshore, for an additional $600 million.

The other two alignments on McCowan and Midland only have development potential at two or one station respectively,  compared with Bellamy which has development potential at three.

According to these criteria, Bellamy is the best option. But it’s what we don’t know that makes all the difference.

Not yet considered in this process is the surrounding density, the number of people within walking distance of subway stations, the number of jobs in the vicinity or existing bus ridership. And we’re still waiting to find out what effect Smart Track will have on projected ridership.

More accurate ridership numbers  for Smart Track and the Scarborough Subway will be available in the Fall, according to Chief Planner, Jennifer Keesmaat.

If we had considered all of these factors first, none of these alignments would pass muster because none of them have enough density or ridership for a subway to be cost effective.

The Sheppard subway is a perfect example of what happens when you “build it and they will come”. They didn’t and it costs us an extra $8 million a year to subsidize this line. An LRT it would have paid for itself by now. Let’s insist on a cost effective, rapid transit network for transit riders in Scarborough .

Latest posts

How are your Don Valley West candidates promising to improve public transit?

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.

Letter & Survey: TTC must exchange expired tokens and tickets

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?

“Rally to Fix the TTC” calls for investment in repairing subway slow zones during National Transit Week

(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.)

Take action

Add your name for Fare Capping!
Tell Your MP: Sign the Transit Pledge
Bus lanes now
Protect Wheel-Trans Service
Keep and Expand Free TTC Wi-Fi!

Connect with us