My concern with regards to adding the western portion of the DRL next, is 3 fold.
1: It does not appear to create substantial additional connectivity;
2: The University side of the line does not appear full yet, and there are 2 transfer points here, so station capacity should not be near the breaking point;
3: It would likely cause pressure to eliminate what I perceive as a better plan, that is the Waterfront West LRT, running through the North edge of the Exhibition grounds.
This LRT cannot directly serve the entire area, however it can provide some real relief.
Steve, is there a plan to have transfer points for the Waterfront West LRT [with] the 501 and 504. Are there options between say Roncesvalle and Jamieson to build some sort of good transfer?
If you could do this at say Roncesvalle, you could maybe transfer some of the existing load from 501 and 504 onto the LRT, and send more lightly loaded streetcars east.
Steve: Depending on the route chosen, there are various options. The original proposed route went up Dufferin and out King Street from the CNE. I don’t think this is viable based on existing service levels and congestion on King. Another proposal linked the WWLRT in at the Queen & Roncesvalles intersection, although the connection with the 504 would not be ideal depending on the configuration of this link. The one that was preferred by the City (this is in the Miller era) made the connection further west with the LRT continuing along a reconfigured Lake Shore out to Colbourne Lodge Drive (the south entrance of High Park).
I see the LRT options in my mind as being a more effective lower cost option that needs to be explored, prior to spending mega bucks on a subway. I fully support a Don Mills line, because Steve has made it clear that, to get an LRT through the East side to support the NE area is nearly impossible south of the Valley. Transfer wise, the next logical point is Eglinton, in that it will connect with the Crosstown, and there are many other potential corridors here. I would not support this line going further north without substantial proof that there is no other viable option and the demand was there.
Having said that I think an LRT should be completed to serve the area at least as far as Roncesvalles, and given existing lines for Streetcars, should really be run farther west. It should interconnect with the GO at least at Exhibition and Union, ideally per initial Longbranch. Money spent on this corridor would go much farther than if it is spent on a subway.
