Ontario Line North of Eglinton (was Relief Line North) (Speculation)

[duffo]

The problem w/the idea is simply that on a surface route, with moderate transit priority and a roughly similar number of stops to the current/proposed 'Rapid TO' route shows next to no improvement in travel time.

To achieve an improvement would require fewer stops and more grade-separation, which in turn would drive the cost higher.

The idea that the business case for an LRT system crumbles once you paint some lanes on that corridor red is pretty wild... especially since I don't think the RapidTO Eglinton lanes have actually made a significant difference in travel times. I'm not sure what to blame here... flawed business case methodology? The wrong transit mode in the wrong place? Politicians pushing the EELRT despite its limited benefits?

 

[Islington Express Bus]

The main meaningful difference between LRT and BRT is the capacity of the vehicles*. We need that capacity on Finch West. Not so much on Eglinton East.


*other advantages include cheaper operation due to using electricity, lower noise, a smoother ride, and allowing cheaper future growth by simply coupling vehicles together, which doesn't need an extra driver vs adding a bus, which does

 

[Northern Light]

The idea that the business case for an LRT system crumbles once you paint some lanes on that corridor red is pretty wild... especially since I don't think the RapidTO Eglinton lanes have actually made a significant difference in travel times. I'm not sure what to blame here... flawed business case methodology? The wrong transit mode in the wrong place? Politicians pushing the EELRT despite its limited benefits?

The Rapid TO comparison features a reduced number of stops vs the previous Eglinton/Morningside Bus. It nominally requires bus priority, but also likely saw some traffic reduction due to Covid which allowed for expedited travel times, making the comparison a bit more hazy.

Still, changing mode alone doesn't drive travel time, improved average speed between stops, and lower total dwell time, along with less time at Red Lights drive that.

These things always require assumptions which can be, and sometimes are, very flawed; you have to delve into the nuts and bolts of the BCA to see that with which you might agree or disagree.

 

[chrisw]

A curious job posting on the MX website... extensions being cooked up?

View attachment 488814

Jun 29. 2023

 

[toronto647]

Jun 29. 2023

Elections are coming up in 2 years.. I am sure Ford is prepping for his new transit expansion plan (i.e OL North Extension, SSE, Hamilton LRT, Crosstown West Extension to Pearson) I wonder which other make the cut, perhaps EELRT? or Waterfront East LRT? Any others?