With bus lane planning and construction in Toronto stalled, transit advocates did what the current Mayor and Council have failed to.
(Toronto, ON) October 12, 2022 - TTCriders, a membership-based transit advocacy organization, released the following statement in support of members and volunteers who installed a temporary bus lane on Dufferin Street early this morning.
“It took a handful of volunteers 20 minutes to do what John Tory hasn’t been able to accomplish in eight years,” said TTCriders member Vincent Puhakka. “Surely Toronto’s Mayor and City Council can move faster to prioritize buses and streetcars, not just here on Dufferin, but across the city.”
“This pop-up will wash away soon, but our need for more bus lanes will remain,” Puhakka continued. “Rapid transit projects are years away. Giving priority to buses and streetcars will help tens of thousands of people and can be done cheaply and quickly.”
Bus lanes are a win for transit riders and all users of Toronto’s roads. They make buses more reliable and speed up trips, helping to encourage more people to choose transit. This reduces greenhouse gasses, lessens traffic congestion, and helps tens of thousands of riders - primarily shift workers, women, and lower income and racialized Torontonians - get home faster.
QUICK FACTS
- The children’s paint used will wash away with water, and should not cause damage to the road surface, vehicles, or surrounding area.
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TTCriders has asked all Mayor and City Council candidates if they will install 10 more bus and streetcar lanes in the next four years, and is calling on Toronto residents to pledge to vote for candidates committed to increasing TTC service, lowering fares, and prioritizing transit on our streets. See pledge and survey results: https://www.ttcriders.ca/2022
- Over 40,000 riders used TTC bus routes on Dufferin Street each day before the pandemic.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION