Watching Transit Improve from the Outside: Mississauga opens new rapid transit line

by Shaun Cleaver

There are not many times that I can recall being envious of Mississauga, but last week was one of those times. Last Monday Mississauga opened a new rapid transit line, proper bus rapid transit (BRT), that will have a significant effect on travel times headed east from Square One. This is an important development, but consistent with recent developments (in Mississauga) such as an increase in service frequency and the development of all-day express bus service akin to the TTC’s Rockets (i.e., #190, #192, #195 etc.).

 

During the same period that Mississauga was building its new Transitway, York Region has been opening VIVA Rapidways incrementally. These too are proper bus rapid transit, but built for easier access from the street. They are also being constructed to be more easily upgradeable to rail operations (LRT) when there is sufficient ridership.

 

The cities around us are showing steady progress towards decent transit mobility. And what has Toronto done during this time? We have flip-flopped. We have rewarded political pandering. We have delayed fully funded projects that were in progress towards improving our ability to get around. Then we threaten to scrap them. Not only here, but also here.

 

Just this past week we had yet another incident of political grandstanding. Yet another case of a politician seeking headlines by proposing to destroy a plan.

 

As Mississauga gets moving, Toronto continues to go nowhere. Again.

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