Building a rational transit network makes public transit the
better way for everyone
Tell your councillor and the Mayor that cities around the world use a mixture of subways, LRT, buses, and regional trains to ensure growth, and Toronto can do it too. Tell them that you support rational evidence-based decision making, and that stable, predictable funding for transit expansion and operation keeps the economic engine of the GTHA strong, and provides better mobility and options for GTHA residents.
Send email to the Mayor and to Councillors from their ward information pages.
Toronto has new rapid transit being built – over 30 kilometres of it! New lines will open in 2023-2024 in Etobicoke and across the city along Eglinton Avenue. Hundreds of thousands of residents will have new transit options.
But it’s not enough: we need to ensure that councillors know they have support for this plan, especially since construction projects (subway and LRT) always annoy residents despite their 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.
We also have multiple elections between now and when any new lines would be running. The most important message we can share with elected representatives and anyone campaigning: going backwards is not an option.
Phone calls and personal visits carry much more weight than emails. Look up your councillor’s phone number on toronto.ca. The Mayor’s office can be reached at 416-397-CITY (2489). 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 new 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 Doug Ford. 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 Ford at his website.
3. Minister of Transportation Caroline Mulroney. As government minister responsible for Metrolinx, she ensures that the agency follows directives of Cabinet and the will of City Council. Tell the Minister that her responsibility is to all of the Toronto region, not only certain councillors or only the Mayor or only car drivers. Contact her at the Ministry website.
4. The Prime Minister. The federal government does not have a coherent infrastructure and transit strategy, and predictable stable funding requires their support. Tell him that 80% of Canadians live in urban areas, and depoliticizing transit funding is an important goal. Contact him at his website.