World class cities don't cut corners on stuff like that. If you build transit, be methodical, have a plan and do it right.
What should have happened in that order as time goes by and funds becomes available:
Bold=Priorities by 2031
1-
Line 5 Relief Line U: To open by 2020 between Pape Station to Keele via Queen, including West Harbour.
- Paid by Transit City funds
2-
SRT Upgrade:
- refurbishment and upgrade of the line
- Rebranded to simply Line 3, no more SRT
- new Mk.III trains
- Rebuild Kennedy station for a Montreal Lionel-Groulx type of station or a cheaper St.Georges station.
- Bury STC station to allow for city planning to properly redevelop the centre into a proper "eastern downtown"
- Underground Triton bus terminal
- Paid by city tax levy and all level of government (1/3 formula)
3-
Line 5 extension from Pape to Don Mills & Sheppard
- Line 1 Yonge is officially relieved so no need to call it "Relief line"
- Paid for in part by road tolls on the Gardiner and DVP (while McGuinty was still there). With a Don Mills subway and increased GO service, you use DVP & Gardiner, you pay. Period.
4-
Line 3 extension west to Pearson via Eglinton
- Underground between Don Mills and Mount Denis
- Elevated Skytrain from Don Mills to Kennedy & from Mount Dennis to Pearson
- Goes underground at Kennedy to meet Line 2
- Yonge-Eglinton station won't be overcrowded due to the Line 5 station at Don Mills going downtown when the line is opened providing further relief to Line 1 Yonge.
- Introduction of a Congestion Charge to provide traffic relief to the downtown core. With 3 subway lines downtown Toronto and King being it's own ROW, you drive within a reasonable perimeter, you pay. Period
- On top of the congestion charge, the Federal infrastructure funds and Ontario (Smarttrack funds) to finance the line
5-
Line 3 extension north-east to Malvern via Centennial college
- Skytrain from STC to Malvern. As per EA, Sheppard East Station to be underground
- The Line 5 "Relief U" allows Line 2 to handle the extra ridership
6-
Waterfront LRT
7-
Finch LRT
8-Line 4 Sheppard Subway expansion to Sheppard West and STC to meet Line 3
9-Jane LRT