Comment

Comment by Greig on March 1, 2011 at 4:05pm

Liz, I'm not trying to pick a fight with you or treat you like 'the enemy'. Like I said, I like you, I think you have great energy. You are a public figure and people listen to what you have to say. With that comes some responsibility to ensure you are not stating opinions as fact, particularly when those 'facts' are inaccurate. You're not the first person on the Leslieviller to do this on this issue (and I've been quick to call them out, too). I truly don't know if it's intentionally spreading false information to further a particular agenda, or just plain ignorance on the subject; I hope it's the latter, but really neither are acceptable.

 

Our transit system is in poor condition; we badly need these new LRV's to replace our aging fleet, our city depends on it. We also need to be able to store and maintain them, something that cannot be done with our current facilities. At some point these vehicles have to make a journey from a populated area that the vehicles service, to a (preferrably) unpopulated area to be stored and maintained. I applaud the efforts that have and will be made to choose a route that affects the least amount of residents and businesses, and mitigate the effects on those that are affected. But at some point we have to accept that there are compromises to living in a big city, and traffic noise is one of them, especially if you choose to live on a major arterial route.

 

So I have a problem with people who spread false information (either willingly or unintentionally) in order to delay or cancel needed upgrades to our public transit system.

 

Yes, you simply wanted to post a letter from Rob Ford. It's inconvenient that knowledgable people have called him and you out on inaccurate 'information' or have disagreed with your position. If you're going to publish your opinion in a public forum, you are going to have to be prepared to back it up.

Comment by Liz West on March 1, 2011 at 3:17pm

Greig & Scratch - this is a place for people to share thoughts and information.  I began this post with an email from the Mayor which I wanted everyone to have the chance to read.  It's that simple.  I don't think it's helpful if you treat people like the enemy Greig.  Passing judgement is easy.  I believe we share a common goal.

Comment by Boris E on March 1, 2011 at 2:37pm

2nd part - balance of my previous post below:

In addition, what this city also needs is a more integrated approach to public transit. Consider advanced green traffic lights for street cars, so they get first and faster through intersections. Consider restrictions for cars on street car routes during rush hour traffic in the downtown core at least. Let cars use the other streets. And there are other ways off making public transit faster and more viable for users.


Using the TTC in this city usually involves some delay/breakdown somewhere. Their rolling stock is badly maintained and falling apart. Buying tokens or cash fare is ridiculous in this time and age. Been to London? The Oyster card is wonderful. Arrive at Heathrow airport, fill out a quick form, pay some money down and you are on your way in 10 minutes tops. In this backward city, one can't even get to the airport n a TTC train without multiple changes of vehicles and mode of transportation.  We want to be First Class, we barely manage to hang on to Third World status with our public transit system. Decades of bad management by our various levels of government. Let's work together to bring us into the 21st century  before it is over.

Comment by Greig on March 1, 2011 at 2:12pm

It's very frustrating that every four years the hard work of the previous government gets undone by the new. This is why things move at a glacial pace in Toronto. I've experience urban planning, transit expansion and development in other jurisdictions and Toronto is shockingly dysfunctional in this respect.

 

And I have to agree with Egg - it seems that Liz has not verified her sources and instead represented rumours as fact. Liz, if you're planning a political career, you're going to have to be more careful than that. I'm with Boris, during the municipal elections I thought you were a dynamic personality with great energy, but it was obvious you did not have handle on the issues. I just couldn't vote for you. I'm glad that you are staying engaged and hopefully you will have a broader knowledge base if you decide to run again.

 

BTW, the articulated streetcars are 23 meters in length. That took me 26 seconds to research on wikipedia. The new trains are only 4 or 5 meters longer, but will have a passenger capacity increase of 35%. For anyone who's been packed like a sardine on the current cars, or had that sinking feeling when a streetcar bursting at the seams rolls by without stopping to pick them up, will disagree that these cars will have 'little or no impact' on current riders. Not to mention that the new low-floor design will make the streetcar network accessible to those who currently cannot navigate the steep stairs. That's a huge impact. Huge.

Comment by Boris E on March 1, 2011 at 1:16pm

Liz - Thank you for your response.  And yes, I am a bit disappointed with the (often incomplete) info you provided in this blog. Similar to the somewhat lacking election platform you ran on last year, which in turn led me to choose another candidate. Very disappointing. Seriously! I would have loved to see you as our councillor.
Yes, the new streetcars maybe 27 mtrs long, but they are partitioned off into smaller sections. Hence they go around corners easier then existing models.

I have little problems with the new Ashbridges Bay maintenance location. Many European countries have successfully integrated similar facilities close to residential dwellings. Besides in our case there is Lakeshore Blvd and a whole slew of junk food outlets in-between. Cleverly and properly built the maintenance shed will look great in that location. One can only hope the TTC is able to find and settle on a more convenient access route. I guess that is one point, you and I agree on.



Furthermore, I believe we have/had a very viable public transit plan in place with Transit City. Granted it can be improved upon; but trying to dismantle it as the current administration tries to do, will just delay us further. In short, a dumb way of dealing with traffic gridlock. And a major waste of money, some of it already spent, some under contract - OUR money I might add ! If politicians had to face jail time over wasting public money...
Toronto is probably some 30 - 40 years behind other civilized countries/cities in public transit. How much further do we want us to fall behind places like Amsterdam, Manchester, Portland, Liverpool, Prague, Berlin, Vienna or even some places in the so called 'Third World'?



In addition, what this city also needs is a more integrated approach to public transit. Consider advanced green traffic lights for street cars, so they get first and faster through intersections. Consider restrictions for cars on stree

Comment by Liz West on March 1, 2011 at 11:37am

Boris - I appreciate your message and am not clear on why you are on the attack.  I have never claimed to be a transit expert and am an advocate of using experts in this kind of process.  I do have an associate very involved in the sourcing process of the new cars, and am simply passing along information I have learned from him.  Not the kind of information you get from a press release.  I am not against the new cars.  I am for the residents of Leslie/Lakeshore and anyone who will be negatively affected by the new Yard.  Hope this clears it up for you.

Comment by Liz West on March 1, 2011 at 11:32am

Greig - I was told that by several of the residents who attended community consultations, and it's makes sense to me.  The cars are 27 meters long.

Comment by Greig on February 28, 2011 at 10:01am

Liz, please publish your source for the nugget of info that the new streetcars will make less stops. This makes absolutely no sense. These are not block-long trains, they're just a little longer than the current articulated 'double' streetcars we have today. Why would there be less stops?

Comment by Boris E on February 26, 2011 at 7:28pm

Liz's comment on the new streetcar models is misleading. The new type of streetcar, are yes, longer, wth larger capacity and easier access. Low floor with various entrance/exit points throughout, they will speed up stops, because riders can get on and off faster then with the current models. They still make the same amount of stops as curretn models. And they are so much improvement over the rumbling, rotting pieces of scrapmetal we have running around this city.  I am amazed that people like his Worstship, the Gravy Boy and Liz, who does not seem to have ever travelled anywhere far outside Ontario, both like to sound off like experts in Public transit.  Have they ever been to Europe, or even cities with streetcars in the US?

I agree with Leslie Street being a bad access point for the Ashbridges Bay maintenance shed. I suggested several times during the TTC meetings , to create an additonal access point via commissioner street and link it into King or the soon to be built Queens Quay line. In additon, it is not streetcars causing traffic slow downs i this city; it is all the selfish people insisting on driving a car all by themselves. Imagine, one car trying to turn left on Queen in evening traffic, sometimes holding up up 100-300 people in various streetcars behind it.

And Liz' that BS about how the new streetcars are doing in Toronto's climate is utter hogwash. They are built by a Canadian (International) company, which surprise, surprise, have built other models for cities with similar climates. Does Kopenhagen, Stockholm, Munich, Amsterdam, Hannover - just to name a few - ring a bell? All these cities run and have run for decades very successful streetcar lines - Summer and Winter.

Comment by Liz West on February 26, 2011 at 3:56pm

The new cars are just larger versions of what we have but lower and will make less stops. They will have little or no imact on current riders. There is real concern regarding the particular size of the Leslie/Lakeshore intersection which is already very busy. There is real concern around the congestion these cars could create on queen steet for retailers, and commuters of all types. As for costing the new units, they are costing residents a significant amount more than they needed to due to skewed purchasing. As for design, there is some doubt as to how they will perform in a Toronto climate.

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