Etobicoke North Ted Berger wants to increase the service on bus routes in Ward 1. He'd also like to see more hybrid buses, and the Spadina subway extension completed with an eventual connection via Steeles Avenue or Highway 7 to the Yonge-University line. He says he uses transit between five to 10 times a month. Andre Lucas lambasts the lack of attention from the TTC, and calls for a subway or LRT line in northern Etobicoke that will connect with the downtown. He feels this will help reduce commuting times for transit riders and allow them more quality time to ...

Right now, you're either scratching your head or making a funny face. I know what your thinking: "how can public transit possibly be sexy?" The map above is just a little taste, so if you saw my Sexy Public Transit, Part 1 post, check out Part 2 today on the Spacing Wire.

Which proposal looks sexier: a Toronto-wide network of BRTs and LRTs (first map) or the Spadina subway extension (second map)? POTENTIAL FUTURE BRT/LRT NETWORK (via page 31 of the City of Toronto & the TTC's Transit City report) Estimated total cost: $1.5 billion (rough estimate) Estimated ridership growth: 80 million new riders by 2016 (conservative estimate) OR SPADINA SUBWAY EXTENSION Projected total cost: $2.1 billion Estimated ridership growth: 30 million new riders by 2021 The expensive and inefficient Spadina subway extension doesn't address the diverse and urgent transportation needs of Toronto, and does little to enhance the quality of life for all Torontonians. ...

With all of the recent discussion surrounding transit policies, subway extensions and streetcar rights-of-way, a brief primer on transit technologies seems to be in order. With all of the acronyms that are thrown around in transit discussions, it's easy to understand why voters may not know the difference between a BRT and a BLT (a BLT is the only one you can eat). Remember that all of the different transit modes, from the local bus route to the commuter rail line, has its own place within a successful public transit system. WHAT IS A BRT? (image via the San ...

WARD 37 (Scarborough Centre) - Michael Thompson: C+ Transit has not been a priority for this councillor, as most of his statements on transit issues have focused on a subway to replace the aging Scarborough RT. However, with other Scarborough councillors, he did come around to favour an LRT network over subway construction. WARD 38 (Scarborough Centre) - Glenn De Baeremaeker: B+ A recent appointee to the TTC Commission, De Baeremaeker is also a grassroots environmentalist who cycles to City Hall from Scarborough. He once said "when people are stuck in a traffic jam, their reaction is that we ...

Standing outside Downsview subway station, David Miller announced his vision for making Toronto a transit city. In order have better public transit in Toronto today, he would do the following: Create more dedicated streetcar and bus rights of way: a. Bus rapid transit (BRT) along Yonge Street from Finch to Steeles avenues b. BRT along Kingston Road from Victoria Park to Eglinton avenues c. BRT from Downsview subway station to York University d. Light rapid transit (LRT) through the East Bayfront and Portlands on the waterfront e. LRT along Don Mills Road from Steeles Avenue to the City centre Develop a Metropass affinity program that ...

WARD 29 (Toronto-Danforth) - Case Ootes: D+ Another Toronto budget hawk who has voted against funding the TTC's Ridership Growth Strategy as well as the St. Clair ROW. WARD 30 (Toronto-Danforth) - Paula Fletcher: B Advocates stronger support for public transit. WARD 31 (Beaches-East York) - Janet Davis: C Has not yet gathered a strong record on public transit, but neither has she been actively opposed to the creation of a transit city. WARD 32 (Beaches-East York) - Sandra Bussin: B- A member of the TTC Commission, but has not yet gathered a strong record in favour of public ...

WARD 23 (Willowdale) - John Filion: D+ Spoke out against TTC buses using Ellerslie Drive after a sinkhole on Sheppard Avenue forced significant diversions. (TTC buses eventually had to divert as far afield as Finch Avenue.) However, he has taken an interest in Union Station, and has spoken out in support of the "Save Union Station" group. WARD 24 (Willowdale) - David Shiner: B- As the Chair of the Budget Advisory committee, he kept a tight lid on transit spending although he acknowledges that the TTC is underfunded. WARD 25 (Don Valley East) - Cliff Jenkins: B- Advocates adequate ...

WARD 12 (York-South Weston) - Frank Di Giorgio: D NOW magazine calls him "Frank Who?". Voted to reduce the TTC's Ridership Growth Strategy spending and voted against the St. Clair ROW project. WARD 13 (Parkdale-High Park) - Bill Saundercook: C Known most recently for his failed attempt to oust Howard Moscoe as TTC Chairman. Eye magazine critizes him for voting against raising the TTC's budget. Tends favour lower fares over improved service, and voted to reduce the TTC's Ridership Growth Strategy spending. Despite his voting record, he nevertheless remains a member of the TTC Commission. WARD 14 (Parkdale-High-Park) ...

WARD 7 (York West) -- Giorgio Mammoliti: F Right-wingers dislike him because of his hefty budgets and his recent unapologetic support for pay raises for councillors. He brought his abrasive style to bear against the St. Clair ROW project and voted to reduce Ridership Growth Strategy spending. WARD 8 (York West) -- Peter Li Preti: C+ A TTC Commissioner, but tends to favour new subway construction over the bread & butter policies of the Ridership Growth Strategy. Ludicrously suggested that new subway construction could be paid for by eliminating low-performing service routes. WARD 9 (York Centre) -- Maria ...