Related to the comment above by Ponyboy, has there been a comparison or evaluation of extending the DRL North past Sheppard to Hwy 7 with building the Yonge extension from Finch to Richmond Hill?
A couple of thoughts on why a DRL super long (DRL-SL) to Hwy 7 might make sense:
- It would service Seneca College at Don Mills and Finch.
- If routed under the 404, it could have a stop at Woodbine and Steeles. There must be more than 10,000 jobs (IBM, BMO, Extendicare, etc) within walking distance.
- A stop around Esna Park/John Street would improve transit for 000's more workers
- A final stop at Highway 7 would connect with Viva and provide reasonably quick access to Markham City Centre, Richmond Hill City Centre
- A DRL-SL would act as a feed to Downtown, similar to the TYSSE in Vaughan. It would better serve downtown bound transit users in NW Scarborough.
- If aligned closer to the 404, a DRL-SL would be an option for downtown bound commuters who use the 404/DVP.
This seems like a reasonable option when compared with the Yonge Subway extension which would primarily service residential and retail stops on Yonge street north of Finch. People who live near Yonge in Richmond Hill or North York would have 3 options to downtown - go south to the Yonge Finch station, west to the TYSSE or go east to the DRL-SL. The Yonge corridor north of Finch, could serviced by an LRT (similar to the Hurontario LRT) that could be extended north to Newmarket.