I don't think many people would argue with the notion that the TTC is excellent at its core competency, which is the day-to-day running of an extremely efficient, but also very basic (both in nature and extent) subway network. The defficiencies are in vision: thinking big and creatively about expansion, the incorporation of new technologies, etc.
This is of course a product of the culture of poverty left over from the 90s, though I think it will slowly change. As for a DRL or something like it (ie the Weston line), it baffles me that something so practical has been largely ignored for so long. But between the Expo line proposal and the Weston campaign, should it gather any steam, the DRL could be back on the frontburner before we know it.