Miller turns to TTC public address system to get riders on board with funding push

[nfitz]

Miller cares more about his legacy... Wasn't he against the spadina extension?

I seem to recall for him talking against it extending beyond Steeles ... but City of Toronto isn't funding any of that. And I seem to recall him not saying it shouldn't be the first priority. But I don't recall him ever voting against it, or campaigning against it.

It does have some value, as anyone who has tried to drive around that part of North York in rush-hour is aware; who is going to look a gift horse in the mouth.

 

[GraphicMatt]

The City of Toronto will be funding all operating costs for the subway north of Steeles - it's expected to add an extra 10 million dollars to the TTC's operating budget.

 

[Ansem]

The City of Toronto will be funding all operating costs for the subway north of Steeles - it's expected to add an extra 10 million dollars to the TTC's operating budget.

which should be share with York region.

In Montreal Laval who gets the Orange line and Longueuil who gets the yellow line not only pay for some of the operating costs but Montreal is charging their commuters an extra fare to use the subway.

 

[Fresh Start]

There really was no point to this grandstanding. Miller and Giambrone, the two people most most associated with TC, are both effectively gone with the wind. By not having the cajones to defend the plan and face the electorate, Miller's credibility in trying to make a case to Queen's Park is essentially nil.

I like Miller, but this childish act only made him look like horribly desperate. He should know better.

It is against TTC bylaws to solicit passengers. So why is this political solicitation being permitted? I ride to get where I am going and to be left in peace. Mr. Miller, whether your message is right or wrong, it is wrong to abuse us as a captive audience. You are abusing your position, the TTC and us passengers.

TTC riders have enough to contend with without piped propaganda that you cannot turn off from the Dear Leader. The government of this city has lost all respect for its citizens, seeing them only as pawns in a political game or cash cows. Who would have thought the man with the broom would become Big Brother? The way I see it, the PA system should be used only to keep transit users informed about situations that will impact their journey (delays, changes in service, etc..). Political messages or lobbying is not appropriate - it's a slippery slope.

 

[Justin10000]

Miller cares more about his legacy... Wasn't he against the spadina extension?[/QUOTE

Miller was supportive of the Spadiina Extension to York U. From what I understand he was against extending it to York Region. Considering York Region will not be helping to pay to operate the subway in their region, I can understand his objections.

 

[GraphicMatt]

It is against TTC bylaws to solicit passengers. So why is this political solicitation being permitted? I ride to get where I am going and to be left in peace. Mr. Miller, whether your message is right or wrong, it is wrong to abuse us as a captive audience. You are abusing your position, the TTC and us passengers.

TTC riders have enough to contend with without piped propaganda that you cannot turn off from the Dear Leader. The government of this city has lost all respect for its citizens, seeing them only as pawns in a political game or cash cows. Who would have thought the man with the broom would become Big Brother? The way I see it, the PA system should be used only to keep transit users informed about situations that will impact their journey (delays, changes in service, etc..). Political messages or lobbying is not appropriate - it's a slippery slope.

You wouldn't care if you hadn't worked yourself into an anti-Miller frenzy over Transit City. They've also run announcements over the TTC PA telling people not to litter. Oh no - environmentalist propaganda! Slippery Slopes! References to 1984!

 

[nfitz]

The City of Toronto will be funding all operating costs for the subway north of Steeles - it's expected to add an extra 10 million dollars to the TTC's operating budget.

Hmm ... have they come out and said that? I'd assume that City of Toronto would be looking for Region of York to provided funding, and if they don't do it, simply stop all trains at Steeles West. I know there's been discussion of what the cost would be, but I hadn't seen any indication of where that funding would come from.

 

[Hipster Duck]

You wouldn't care if you hadn't worked yourself into an anti-Miller frenzy over Transit City. They've also run announcements over the TTC PA telling people not to litter. Oh no - environmentalist propaganda! Slippery Slopes! References to 1984!

Well there is a difference: littering is a misdemeanour that is punishable by a fine. It has no political affiliations and pretty much every mayoral candidate and provincial politician thinks it's a bad thing and that the law should be upheld in this case.

 

[kettal]

Last year TTC was filled with ads saying "thank you Dalton", so its only fair they take it back with the same amount of publicity

 

[ladyscraper]

Last year TTC was filled with ads saying "thank you Dalton", so its only fair they take it back with the same amount of publicity

That is exactly what I thought when I heard the announcement. I thought back to those thank you posters straight away.

 

[ssiguy2]

Nfitz is completely right. Toronto still has $4 billion more provincial money than it had 4 years ago but the TTC now is going back to the drawing board {again} to look at what they should build. Also wonder where the money for Toronto's portion of TC went as they originally were going to fund a third until the province came thru, took over Toronto's portion and then when they did the budget for TC soared 50% to $9 billion from 6 yet no one seems to know why.
One can bitch all they want about ICTS but it did get built. There are two huge rail ROW from Malvern to downtown via Leaside down to Castle Frank and Queen just itching to be used as is the rail from Queen all the way up to Humber College so why aren't these being used?
The rest of the planet is using almost completely atgrade or elevated systems for the Metros which is why they are expanding at a dizzing rate and Toronto stands still. The TTC goes out of it's way to make the SRT as unuse- friendly as possible with old trains, ugly station, poor connections, and not upgrading the line for an expanded and modern fleet Vancouver did the exact opposite and this is why Vancouver has a SkyTrain system that everyone loves to ride and Toronto a rickety SRT that everyone loves to avoid. From the day of announcement the 18km Millenium SkyTrain line was built in just 22 months.
Toronto could SkyTrain all the way down to Bloor from Malvern by 2013 if it WANTED to but it doesn't. Of course and mention of any other systems like VAL, MonoRail, MonoMetro, or Docklands isn't even a conversation at City Hall.........Toronto doesn't due innovative or alternative anymore. The really pathetic thing is that we will be having this conversation in 3 years and all you will have is a new streetcar.
BTW, guy I know transit is a heated debate but let's try to keep the 4 letter words out of it.

 

[Fresh Start]

You wouldn't care if you hadn't worked yourself into an anti-Miller frenzy over Transit City. They've also run announcements over the TTC PA telling people not to litter. Oh no - environmentalist propaganda! Slippery Slopes! References to 1984!

I'll be certain to remember this post when the TTC starts selling off ad space over the PA. Maybe a "Pantalone For Mayor!" ringing endorsement when people were just trying to enjoy their ride home, without being brainwashed. If Mr Miller is allowed to mouth off on the innnocent riders of the subway than at the very least they should be allowed to lie down on the tracks in front of the trains to avoid having to listen to him. Lol

 

[doady]

I don't see the big deal about this...

 

[Hipster Duck]

Last year TTC was filled with ads saying "thank you Dalton", so its only fair they take it back with the same amount of publicity

I was against those too. I am against any partisan political message on publicly-owned property; I was also against the atheist bus ads for the same reasons, as I would be for an anti-atheist ad if it were to ever come out.

If Miller wants to put out a political attack, which is what this basically amounts to, he can pay for a full page ad in the privately-owned Toronto Star or a commercial on any private broadcaster - as long as that money comes from a third party office not affiliated with the City of Toronto, and without access to public funds.

 

[GenerationW]

Well said H.D.!

And Miller had more than enough opportunity to present this message to reporters (free of charge!) instead of the 'mad as hell' speech he actually delivered.