Building a rational transit network makes the TTC the better way for everyone

Tell your councillor and Mayor Ford that you want some above-ground LRT for the TTC, and that you do not want Toronto to be stuck paying cancellation costs and waiting decades longer for transit. Amazing cities around the world use a mixture of subways, LRT, buses, and regional trains to ensure growth – Toronto can do it too. You can send email to the Mayor and Councillors from this web page. Read on for more details, or go directly to the email form.

Transit City is a provincial plan to provide above- and below-ground rapid rail service to the suburbs of Toronto. The province has over $8 billion to spend on three rapid transit lines on Finch West, Sheppard East and Eglinton, a plan that would cost Toronto $0 in additional funding.

Mayor Ford tried to cancel Transit City without City Council’s approval on his first day in office, which would have left most of Toronto’s suburbs without any rapid transit. Worse, the province estimated that cancelling Transit City would cost the city at least $65 million in additional funding.

We knew that since much of the design work had been completed, work could be back underway “like a switch”. On February 8th 2012, City Council voted to confirm its support for the previously approved LRT plan. Money had been spent, designs had been started, and even construction had begun.

But it’s not over: we need to ensure that councillors know they have support for this plan, especially since construction projects (subway and LRT) always annoy residents despite the future benefits. We also need to ensure the projects go forward in a smart way! Local concerns like stop spacing, stoplight timing, and more must be considered and the result must be improved and more rapid transit for riders.

Phone calls and personal visits carry much more weight — you can look up your councillor’s phone number on toronto.ca. Mayor Ford’s office can be reached at 416-397-FORD (3673). Written letters can be dropped off at City Hall 24/7.

Who else needs to hear from me?

1. Metrolinx, the provincial agency that is creating these rapid transit lines in cooperation with the TTC. They need to know that we’re watching and we want modern rapid transit without wasted funds! Contact them at their website.

2. Premier Dalton McGuinty. He and the provincial cabinet have ultimate control over Metrolinx and the TTC and the City of Toronto. Make it clear that your concerns impact how you vote and that all of Toronto needs rational, affordable, rapid transit. Contact Premier McGuinty at his website.

3. Minister of Transportation Bob Chiarelli. As government minister responsible for Metrolinx, he ensures that the agency follows directives of Cabinet and the will of City Council. Tell the Minister that his responsibility is to all of Toronto, not only certain councillors or the Mayor alone. Contact him at the Ministry website.