Unencumbered by politicians beholden to union or special interests, Ford has the opportunity to right many wrongs in transit planning.
One hallmark of great cities around the world is their subway systems. Think of any major city and in almost every case they have a well-developed system. Toronto was once an international leader where others would come to study how we built and ran our system. Now we have to travel to learn from others.
With a strong mandate from voters and a clear preference for subways over light rail, Ford can begin to assert a proper plan for subways that has been absent for more than 20 years.
A report released this week by the Toronto Environmental Alliance and TTCriders found subways rated the highest in terms of fewer green house gas emissions and have the ability to take more cars off the road, but at the same time subways are more expensive than light rail.
In the last 20 years we’ve had the Spadina subway extended by only one station (Wilson Heights to Sheppard) and the Sheppard Line that was built due to political theatrics of former mayor Mel Lastman. That is the sum total of subways built over this period.
If Ford really believes in subways, as he has said, and is prepared to abide by normal business practices, then other levels of government, particularly the federal government, may finally buy into this opportunity.
Here’s where he should focus his efforts.
- Instead of an Eglinton line, which is part above and part underground, all should be underground and extended to the airport (in comparison, the Pearson Airport link to Union Station makes no sense).
- Next up is the opportunity to extend the Yonge Street subway to Hwy. 7, making it a truly Greater Toronto Area line.
- While we’re looking at options, why not take a look at the downtown relief line proposed in 1985 from the northeast, downtown along Queen Street and out to the airport.
- No more politics with the territorial issues between Metrolinx and the TTC, both of them can be part of a successful transit expansion. Why not let the TTC be charged with the operations of subways and Metrolinx for the capital program?
So how do we pay for all of this expansion? The Sheppard line cost $142.5 million per kilometer (although another jurisdiction recently built it more cheaply). Ford has made it clear that he demands value for money. Using structured financing that is the norm in most places (but not Toronto), we can minimize the costs by spreading them out over a number of years instead of the current practice of paying out of current budgets.
Gridlock has become a way of life in this city. If Ford wishes this to be a truly livable city, he should follow through and demonstrate his commitment to public transit. Once other levels see that he is serious and has a plan, then it will be time to get their participation.
Why can’t we also live the dream as they do in other great cities, such as London, New York and Shanghai, which are continually adding to their subway lines?
Rob Ford has a once in a generation opportunity to leave a lasting mark on this city. If he seizes the moment and does what needs to be done, he will be known as the Transit Mayor.
Jeff Lyons is a former chairman of the Toronto Transit Commission
