Friday’s Headlines

6 comments

1. I guess all thought of running the LRT into the subway tunnel to replace the subway vehicles has died? Not an easy trick, but there are systems out there that use high-platform and low-platform on one vehicle. (GO does this, for example.)

   I would have no problem with an LRT line running clear across Sheppard and simply crossing the Yonge subway. I would have no problem with a Yonge subway that branches and sends every second or third train to Don Mills instead of Finch. But this setup is beyond stupid – no other city would plan it this way.

2. RE: National Post – Sheppard LRT line a work in progress

   Another downtowner’s perspective on how things go up here. Yes there are design challenges and yes the area is primarily designed for cars, but isn’t this project supposed to initiate change? Density and 3-4 story buildings along Sheppard will not happen overnight. So lets work through the difficulties and help create a place where people would like to live and shop while using transit.

   In this case, if Mr. Kuitenbrouwer don’t have anything nice to say he shouldn’t say it at all.

3. I’m all for LRT / ROWs… but if poorly executed and managed, they’re useless. Case in point – I use the St-Clair car daily. The streetcars still stop at all red lights (which frustratingly almost always seem to go red just as the car gets to the light!). There are still significant bunching problems (come on TTC… bunching on a 1.5km line!??!?!). Operating speeds at rush hour are pathetically slow (again, to make up time and reduce bunching?). Frankly, I have seen absolutely no operating benefit since the line went ROW in time, speed, bunching or by any other measure.
   All of this could be easily managed with signal adjustment.
   There are also fundamental design flaws… why they didn’t put in a double loop allowing streetcars to “pass” waiting cars at St-Clair Stn., where there’s more than enough room – or at St-Clair West (which was shut for repairs for over 6 months) is only known to Giambrone.
   And as a sometimes driver, the signaling, especially for left turns, has created traffic tie-ups never before seen on St-Clair (IE: left turn lane at Warren – a mess from 4 to 7pm daily). So all in all, everyone loses – TTC users, motorists, pedestrians. And at a huge cost. Will the TTC learn from their mistakes on the St-Clair line? Will they make the adjustments that would make this line a truly world class ROW? Doubtful.

4. The left turn going west on St. Clair at Bathurst is always backed up stopping traffic; a poor design.

   I have not been on the ROW enough to make a comment but as I have noticed that the ROW has tamed sections of St. Clair for walkers and drivers from what was an auto free for all.

5. I’ve noticed a big difference on the streetcar portion of St. Clair. Granted I’m not often travelling at peak periods when I’m east of Bathurst but there’s almost always a streetcar waiting for me when I get to St. Clair W. Stn. and the ride is smooth and fairly quick, certainly faster than it used to be.

   What frustrates me to no end is the bus service west of St. Clair W. Stn. I just keep telling myself that it’ll all be worth it when the RoW is complete.

6. LRT on Sheppard is a waste of money. There are reasons why a subway was planned. Linking two city centres and giving the vast northern suburbs ONE east/west rapid transit line was a great idea. The completed Sheppard line would not only link those nodes, but provide people in that area with a fast way of getting to destinations like York University, Downsview Yorkdale Mall, etc.

   Converting the subway line to LRT is even more loony, unless the LRT is built fully grade separated. One can hope that this LRT project doesn’t get funded.