Urban Planet is a daily roundup of blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
What happens when a Los Angeleno rides Toronto’s TTC and Montreal’s Metro? Blogger Tim Adams did just that and his discovered some interesting contrasts between the three transit systems. Adams take-aways include: Canadian politicians don’t take transit; our subways are graffiti-free; our stations leave something to be desired. (Transitophile)
Image from TrekEarth
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6 comments
“Canadian politicians don’t take transit”, unless its for a photo-op, using Rob Ford as our example setter.
Did note that the article is dated: Friday, October 14, 2011
Some changes have been made since that article was posted.
It’s good to get the perspective of someone living elsewhere, because despite the many problems we have on the TTC, it’s true that we have an extensive and generally well-run system. I am one of those choice riders that leaves the car at home every weekday (and most weekends), and it’s good to be reminded that in many North Amercan cities such as LA, that type of lifestyle and mobility is simply not possible.
Last summer I visited Montreal for the first time, and used transit exclusively. In my opinion, their transit system is what all other transit systems should aspire to. Fast, affordable, efficient in getting around the city, aesthetically pleasing, etc.
Even though Montreal has a far more developed road network in the inner city than Toronto, not once did I feel like a second class citizen using transit exclusively in getting around the central city and inner suburbs. The same cannot be said about using the TTC, even for trips exclusively within the central city.
This Transitophile guy’s passion for Transit is awesome.
And I imagine that a visitor from Teheran would enjoy the Beer Store and LCBO. So what? Meanwhile, most of the rest of the world just shakes their head.
The STM has their problems but at least they benchmark themselves against the BEST transit systems in the world: not L.A.
This smacks of the usual “Oh they like us!” American validation that is so sought after in Toronto.