44 North
Senior Member
Why would they include slow moving streetcars as rapid transit? That's a big joke.
It only includes St Clair and Spadina - "Rapid Streetcars" - in their definition of rapid transit. And from their list, it seems it'd be the lowest order of RT (even below BRT). From Pembina:
Rapid transit
Rapid transit represents the highest order of transit service. It is the backbone that moves the largest volume of riders and provides the greatest level of mobility, frequency and speed. Common rapid transit technologies include subways, light metros, light rail transit, right-of-way streetcars and right-of-way rapid buses.
For this report, the criteria below were used to identify transit infrastructure that meets the definition of rapid transit.1
1. Separated from traffic: Vehicles that either travel on a grade-separated path, or in their own lane or track that interacts with other traffic only at intersections or crossings. This makes them immune to traffic congestion.
2. Priority signalling: For LRT, BRT, rapid streetcars and some express buses, vehicles that are not grade-separated receive priority from traffic signals. This can be done through measures such as changing the length of traffic light phases. It ensures that they can move at a consistent frequency and are not held up by automobile traffic.
3. All-day, two-way service: Routes that provide regular service throughout the day, including within the city core. This differentiates them from regional commuter routes with peak-only service, or commuter service that skips over stops within the city itself.
4. Maximum wait of 10 minutes during peak times: The frequency of service in peak times is a critical factor for commuters. Rush hour commuters should not be waiting longer than 10 minutes, and ideally not more than five minutes, for a transit vehicle.
5. Maximum wait of 15 minutes during off-peak times: Fifteen minutes has been identified as frequent enough service that riders don’t have to plan their trip around a timetable.
6. Optimal spacing of stops and stations: Stops are spaced close enough for riders to walk to them, but far enough apart to keep vehicles moving. Vehicles stop less frequently than regular bus or streetcar service.2
7. Network connectivity: A rapid transit line needs to connect to a larger network, rather than terminate at, or merge into, non-rapid modes of transportation.
8. Off-board fare collection and platform-level boarding: The vehicle operator does not collect fares and passengers can step directly from a platform into the vehicle without using stairs. Both of these measures expedite boarding.
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I'd like some to read what ssiguy wrote, and Pembina's definition of "Light Metro", and question why we're not seeing more of this type of system here. This system doesn't have to be linear induction, or only be manufactured by one company. It could use standard light rail rolling stock - just as the S(L)RT was to be rebuilt as. It's an optimal mode, and IMO would've worked very well in place of TYSSE. Underground, elevated, surface (but still grade-separated), etc. The thing would've taken half the time to build, cost half as much, and left enough time/funds/resources left over to start any number of projects.
Edit side rant: one thing that always bugged me is the well-known Council debate for the S(L)RT where Josh Matlow supposedly schooled Rob Ford - basically by saying that St Clair wasn't LRT, but the SRT rebuild was. I dunno, the way I see it is that St Clair is LRT (or at least extremely close to it). In my opinion it would've been more fitting for Matlow to say that the SRT rebuild is 100% a subway line (albeit one using light rail rolling stock). By saying the SLRT is an LRT line is unfairly lumping it into the same category as the FWLRT and SELRT, when really it's an entirely different class - one in the same strata as subways.
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