TTCriders is in support of the Relief Line.
TTCriders calls on all levels of government to cooperate with one another like adults, and prioritize and fund the project so it can be built quickly. We see the Relief Line as a major current priority, not one to be deferred to the next decade.
TTCriders is in support of fully planning and building the east and west sections of the line, in addition to the extensions north to Sheppard, in an integrated way. This will allow Torontonians from all across the city to benefit.
TTCriders believes that planning of all transit projects should seek to create the most useful network to all Torontonians. Planning for the Relief Line should be considered in an integrated way with other projects such as SmartTrack. We see 15-minute heavy rail service proposed in Smart Track to be a complement, not a substitute for the Relief Line.
A prospective DRL alignment
The exact route and stops of the relief line should be decided through a fair and public consultation process. The chosen route should be as accessible to as many Torontonians as possible, especially those who currently have few transit options. Planning should seek to maximize network benefits rather than just providing peak period relief.
The Relief Line should be given a name that demonstrates that everyone in the entire city will benefit from the line, and not just downtown residents. There should be access to transit-underserved neighbourhoods such as Regent Park, Moss Park and Thorncliffe Park.
The Relief Line should be publicly built, controlled, maintained, and run.
Revenue to fund the construction of the Relief Line should ideally be raised in a fair and progressive way, meaning riders and lower income Torontonians aren’t unfairly burdened, and big business and high income earners pay their share.