How is getting the systems closer together even via a less than 5 min add-on to get from Kipling to Sherway a bad thing? The no. of people who use on-street MT within Toronto is very slim and would be far better off using 111, 112, 48, 49, 50.
You should ride MT 3 on TTC 49 and MT 26/20 on TTC 50 to see how many people get on/off along TTC routes.
All 3 MT routes can offer better service than TTC can now. MT needs to upgrade these routes, but the infighting is causing problems for MT riders with poor service.
Business case see TTC walking away from #50 with $1.2 million in operating saving cost and have 3 buses that can be use else where when MT takes over this routes. TTC riders would see no different using MT in place of TTC other than better service both at peak and off peak compare to what they see today.
Running #26 and #20 to Kipling will add 5 minutes to MT riders travel time at best time. At peak time, it will be higher and depends on what is taking place on 427 in the first place.
Running all MT to Sherway is off the wall and defeat the idea of transit that service riders. It is a waste of riders times as well resources.
Even if a subway was built to East Mall, you still need to run MT #20/26 to Islington along Burnhamthorpe Rd as it has the shortest traveling time route. 1/1c carry a large number of riders (some where around 400) who work around the Islington Station area. Numbers come from TTC.
As for traveling time, I know this for a fact as I have time study this area. Even #206 should run along the full length of Burnhamthorpe and picking up TTC riders at East and West Mall.
How many cars use Dundas and Burnhamthorpe that come from 905 compare to transit? It is easy to get rid of transit than traffic. Then how many are 416?
All 3 TTC routes need to be merge with MT to provide a seamless service for riders.
Then there are no less than 7 routes going into York that should be done the same way.
It a waste of money to build the plan new terminal at Kipling as there is no room for anyone to expand 10-15 years from now. It better to spent good money building a new Cloverdale terminal to support MT, TTC, GO and BT as well support the new housing development plan for this area.
Sad point, this extension ranks #4 at best for any expansion where is should be #2 after SRT conversion to subway.
The point you should ask yourself, are you prepared to spent an extra of 10 to 30 minutes a day of travel time for another white elephant at Sherway? If you have to do this every day, you would change your tune.