It’s not that Rick Ducharme doesn’t appreciate the money that may have been promised to extend the Spadina subway to York University, it’s that the TTC has other needs that need attention first. John Barber talks to the TTC Chairman and compliments him on his prudent approach to managing the TTC’s priorities.
“The top priority is state-of-good-repair,” he said yesterday, repeating a phrase that has become a mantra at the TTC ever since a worn-out signalling system killed three people on the Spadina line 10 years ago. “Over the next four or five years I need about $700-million a year . . . and it’s not negotiable.”
After that, Ducharme wants $200 million per year to purchase more streetcars and buses to reduce the amount of time people across this city have to wait at a stop before a vehicle arrives. Then we can talk about subway expansion.
The province has not commented on Ducharme’s statements. They have not yet confirmed or denied that money is in the offing for the York University subway extension.
