TTC: Streetcar Network

[ARG1]

The double ended streetcar train has left the station, they had the change to switch to it with the Flexities and didnt do it. We wont ever see it in Toronto for various reasons including the TTC's current "operate streetcars in fear" tactics.

The thing the TTC should be focusing on is improving current streetcar operations, which is quite frankly a laughing joke as they currently stand.

Yesterday I was riding on a couple routes in the city, and I was just rolling my eyes at how damn slow streetcar operations are. Among some of the most ridiculous things I witnessed:

-Streetcars slow down at every signalized intersection before proceeding through,
-Literally take a full signal cycle just to clear any streetcar intersection,
-Crawl through empty streets at low speeds while buses running on the same route pass them,
-Stop and proceed at every single switch point, etc..

I can write a list of dozens of things that the TTC does to cripple streetcar operations, and most of which have started within the last 20 years while others have been in place for as long as I can remember. If we want to unlock hidden potential and further improve commute times in this city, the streetcar network is the easiest place to start. Funny thing is, the TTC and city seem to think we need projects like the King Street corridor to do this. However in all actuality, if the TTC stopped playing games in their operations, we could achieve the same effect on all streetcar routes in the city without spending a significant amount in doing so.

This so much. Even on routes such as the 510, it genuinely feels like you're crawling down the line despite the fact that the streetcar even has its own ROW.

 

[drum118]

This so much. Even on routes such as the 510, it genuinely feels like you're crawling down the line despite the fact that the streetcar even has its own ROW.

Switches, traffic lights not for Streetcar and a few stops that need to be remove does not help to speed service these days on 510 & 512

 

[Amare]

This so much. Even on routes such as the 510, it genuinely feels like you're crawling down the line despite the fact that the streetcar even has its own ROW.

Speaking of the 510 (one of the routes I took yesterday) I was amazed at how slow it was a clearing the grand union at Queen and Spadina. I was attempting to transfer to the 501 which was waiting on a red, and my 510 started crossing the intersection right at the start of the signal cycle. It literally took the entire cycle to clear the intersection and by the time my streetcar finally opened the doors at the farside stop, the 501 was already on its way and I missed it.

Needless to say I was pissed off as it was nighttime and I had to wait 30 mins for the next one. This is exactly the kind of stuff that makes one's commute unnecessarily long for reasons in the TTC's control.

 

[north-of-anything]

I wonder how much the streetcar routes are planned to be reorganized and changed once some of the waterfront lines are put in - Waterfront West, Waterfront East, Broadview, Villiers Island, etc. There could be an effort to re-designate these streetcar routes on the same level as, say, Finch West?

 

[DSC]

I wonder how much the streetcar routes are planned to be reorganized and changed once some of the waterfront lines are put in - Waterfront West, Waterfront East, Broadview, Villiers Island, etc. There could be an effort to re-designate these streetcar routes on the same level as, say, Finch West?

Let's get the damned things built before we start planning their operation.

 

[drum118]

I wonder how much the streetcar routes are planned to be reorganized and changed once some of the waterfront lines are put in - Waterfront West, Waterfront East, Broadview, Villiers Island, etc. There could be an effort to re-designate these streetcar routes on the same level as, say, Finch West?

Will you be around in 30-50 years to see it at the current rate things are getting built???

Will not see Waterfront until about 2031/32, Villiers Island 2040-50, Waterfront West around 2040-60 and there is no EA for Broadview that may happen about 2040.

 

[NoahB]

Despite earlier headaches, TTC planning to order more streetcars from Bombardier

Agency staff recommend purchasing an additional 13 cars at a cost of $140 million with a target date for the start of delivery by 2023.

www.thestar.com

They plan to order 13. If funding available, up to 60.

No new info...

 

[robmausser]

Despite earlier headaches, TTC planning to order more streetcars from Bombardier

Agency staff recommend purchasing an additional 13 cars at a cost of $140 million with a target date for the start of delivery by 2023.

www.thestar.com

They plan to order 13. If funding available, up to 60.

No new info...

The devil you know is better than the devil you don't know

 

[nfitz]

The devil you know is better than the devil you don't know

According to the accompanying TTC report, the devil you know is also significantly cheaper (and presumably much earlier) than the devil you don't. http://www.ttc.ca/About_the_TTC/Com...5_TTC_Fleet_Procurement_Strategy_and_Plan.pdf

 

[Amare]

Some very interesting tidbits in the Report, and i'm very surprised to hear of the immediate procurement of 13 additional streetcars. Its like Christmas came early...kind of.

Let's just hope they dont stop at 13, and actually procure the full 60 additional streetcars needed.

 

[W. K. Lis]

Some very interesting tidbits in the Report, and i'm very surprised to hear of the immediate procurement of 13 additional streetcars. Its like Christmas came early...kind of.

Let's just hope they dont stop at 13, and actually procure the full 60 additional streetcars needed.

They should aim for 100+.

 

[drum118]

They should aim for 100+.

Where do you plan for them to be store since there is no space for 40+ of those cars after Hillcrest is done??

Who paying for the extra 40+ cars?

 

[Northern Light]

Where do you plan for them to be store since there is no space for 40+ of those cars after Hillcrest is done??

Who paying for the extra 40+ cars?

Now now Drum, lets not be all pessimistic.

The TTC's solution to lack of storage while Roncy yard was under reconstruction was to run more service!

If they're in motion 24/7, they don't need to be stored!

The money......well..........that's an issue, for another day.

 

[crs1026]

Bombardier Class B share price on June 26, 2009 (the day City Council approved the Flexity order) - $3.40
Bombardier Class B share price today - $0.33

If Bombardier hasn't felt the pain already, the TTC not ordering more streetcars is not going to get their attention.

The cars work, and TTC does not need an oddball second brand with a duplicate parts supply etc.

So I'd say, go ahead and order the additional 60 Flexities. The issues of principle have already been addressed.

- Paul

 

[micheal_can]

Now now Drum, lets not be all pessimistic.

The TTC's solution to lack of storage while Roncy yard was under reconstruction was to run more service!

If they're in motion 24/7, they don't need to be stored!

The money......well..........that's an issue, for another day.

Maybe we should most of the storage areas an only have them in for service.