Just curious -- now that money (2014 Toronto budget) has been specifically targeted to the B-D extension, does there need to be a 2/3 vote in Council to reopen the Scarborough subway/LRT debate or not?
No. At very least council still needs to vote to accept the Terms of Reference for the EA. This probably won't happen before October.
Also, mayoral powers to set the agenda at executive council and council are regained immediately after the next election. Chow would not need 2/3rd vote to bring the issue before council, nor would any other councillor due to the above 2 items.
Personally, I would like to see 5 things:
1) the Federal contribution redirected to Gardiner work. This is Building Canada fund stuff and may be applied nearly anywhere. Maintenance of existing infrastructure is more important than new infrastructure.
2) The EA should focus on all of North West Scarborough and getting them to their destination quickly rather than just a small area around the existing SRT corridor.
3) the value fixed at $2.5B but the options left completely open in the EA with no technical direction from council. The EA should look at subway, LRT (to Steeles?), BRT (network of 3 to 4 routes), and anything else that might be reasonable. Instead of varying price, keep the price fixed and look at what could be done with it.
4) The EA should consider the impact of electrification/frequent service on Stouffville and possibly use it as a resource. Is Kennedy still the best place to funnel everybody? Probably, but I would like to see that considered. Some bus routes may be better converted to mini-BRT and directed to Agincourt or Millikin with barrier free transfers (similar to a bus transfer at most subway stations).
Bus routes don't need to go to SCC; should they? Again, answer is probably yes but lets look at it.
5) the city responsibility for cost-overruns eliminated. See if the province will take this on or tender as capped Design + Build with an insured contractor.
