This sort of statement annoys me for its sillyness.
By all means disagree with TTC plans and management style, in many threads on here you will find me doing just that.
But to suggest they've done nothing or plan to do nothing betrays a complete ignorance of what is going on and has gone on.
Now, I fully understand not everyone takes the time to read budgets or service plans, but if you don't, please refrain from silly posts.
I won't begin to seriously summarize everything underway or planned. But let's take a tiny peak.
Recent Past:
TTC has increased service hours on almost every route
TTC is now running more service than at anytime in the last 10 years
TTC ramped up service last year by more in one single improvement than at any time, EVER.
TTC HAS ordered new trains sufficient to replace almost 1/3 of all the rolling stock on the system.
TTC HAS ordered a 100% replacement of the streetcar fleet with low-floor, A/C cars.
TTC HAS proceeded with major renovations to 4 stations (Kipling, Vic. Park, Dufferin, and Pape).
TTC HAS initiatives to improve cleanliness has a 1/2 dozen experiments underway with new finishes for ceilings and walls to assist with this.
TTC IS building the Spadina Subway extension
TTC IS moving ahead with not 1, not 2, but at LEAST 4 new LRT lines, probably more.
TTC has approved moving ahead with 2 major service increases over the next 3 years (the 10min network and min. 20min service all-day, all routes)
Are some of their ideas daft...sure.....are some not executed up to a proper UT standard, definitely......but they are doing alot more than tweaking.
Yes you are right about the future plans for TTC, how silly of me...
- TTC will launch its new subway stocks into service (replacing 1/3) by end of 2009 and all stocks will be replaced by 2011...
- TTC will order new streetcars to replace its aging fleet by 2011...
- TTC is moving ahead with 4 out of 7 LRT lines...
But these improvements are the only immediate changes in short future...
Spadina/Yonge Extension is acceptable, but it will only be consequential in the long term. Granted, more passenger ridership increases and increased coverage, but at a higher costs to run the service from Vaughan to Richmond Hill. That is more free rides for York region passengers at an expense of T.O. (unless new fare system is implemented). And these areas are not heavily intensified! They are only cookie-cutter suburbs like Markham. On the other hand, no extension of Bloor/Danforth to Mississauga, 6th largest city in Canada? Makes no sense to extend subways all the way to York but not to Sauga! It makes sense to limit the expansion to Steeles West and Steels though; these projects should not be made without York Region's expenses too as well as its passengers!
That is the little thing to complain though; major renovation to only four out of how many stations? Dissapointing but acceptable, considering TTC is slowly embracing to the proper plan.
TTC has increased service hours on almost every route
TTC is now running more service than at anytime in the last 10 years
TTC ramped up service last year by more in one single improvement than at any time, EVER. - Can you elaborate on that please? Any evidence? Specific examples?
Increased frequencies on bus routes seems ideal, but only around Scarborugh and Etobicoke only. As for downtown, midtown and North York? IT DOES NOTHING BUT ADD TRAFFIC CONGESTIONS! Why is the money not spent on articulated buses instead? more capacity @ a cost of less fuel and less empty buses!
Oh don't forget,
What is with the Bloor/Yonge passenger control? Using staffs as "barriers" to control the flow? This is inexcusable! NO DRL? That is one of the most important thing TTC needs right now!
And worst of all,
The entire Transit City is to be completed in the next 15 years at $17.5 Billion? That is absurd! GO transit's future projects are more likely to be completed than the entire Trans-hype City!
Not all of them doesn't justify how services are being adjusted to match everyone's convenience. Although construction do promises many, it is taking too long to be realized.
Aside from announcing plans to renew the fleet and Trans-hype City plans, nothing remarkable is done to revolutionize the transit system by a big shot.
