[DSC]

Every lines loses money, right?

All transit is subsidised but the Sheppard line is very underused, even after 20 years. Not that it's a bad thing but it DOES cost MUCH more per passenger than the other subway lines.

 

[christiesplits]

The 1997 Mel Lastman vs. Barbara Hall mayoral race, right after amalgamation, foreshadowed the urban vs. suburban political and cultural divide that still exists, in some forms, today.

BlogTO

 

[zang]

Every lines loses money, right?

Some absolutely leak money like a sieve. While ridership along Sheppard is higher than it was on busses, it's currently nowhere near projected ridership for the trains, even the projections for the first few years (it's now 19 years since it opened). It really is a route that would've been better served with an LRT; if the TTC hadn't completely turfed the idea of LRT back in the 80's when they got forced by the province to run mini trains on the SRT line.

 

[zang]

I'd hate to see what'd happen to the Sheppard line if Fairview Mall closed down.

 

[John_Dee]

It's easy to look back with 20/20 hindsight and say Mel Lastman doesn't look that bad compared to what was waiting just down the line. He was a buffoon, there's no denying that. I worked in the courier industry at that time, and a nickname that was circulating in those circles concerning Mel was "Mayor Krusty." As in, the clown. Heh, heh. I never voted for him, and won't claim to be particularly broken up over the news of his passing away. And yet...

Even if Mel was the 2nd worst Mayor in Toronto's history, and even if he only looks ok now compared to what was coming down the pike after him, there's still a pretty vast distance between him and the subhuman piece of trash that was just offstage, waiting in the wings. That factor shouldn't be underestimated. Mel may have benefitted from the urban vs. suburban political divide, but he didn't create that divide, and more importantly, he didn't try to inflame that divide and make things worse as part of a deliberate political strategy, the way certain other parties did. He wasn't an ideologue or a hatemonger, or an irresponsible demagogue, or a pathological liar. He wasn't a mean, vindictive bastard, or a drunk driver. He certainly wasn't a crackhead, nor did he come from a background of drug dealing. Nor was he an emotional mess, a desperate famewhore or a pathetic celebrity wannabe. He didn't single-handedly turn the entire city into an international laughing stock. And perhaps most pertinently, he actually seemed to like the city of Toronto...unlike certain other parties we could name.

 

[Jonny5]

He was also heavy push for the Sheppard Line, which was nearly shut down for underuse and continues to drain funding away from other TTC needs.

It was never "nearly shut down" or even anything remotely so. Adam Giambrone floated such an idea as a media stunt--which they were happy to gobble up--as a possible budget savings measure, but it had zero logic to it as the bus replacement would have likely cost more operating dollars.

 

[Northern Light]

I'd hate to see what'd happen to the Sheppard line if Fairview Mall closed down.

Pre-pandemic Sheppard was full at rush hour in the direction of Don Mills to downtown (not to the mall)

Now, that's in part due to 4-car trains, and the finite number of those, which means peak-service of every 5 minutes.

But there is little question there was already latent demand because people couldn't get on the trains in the morning.

We really have to stop these exaggerated claims of an empty line, its just not so.

 

[picard102]

He was also heavy push for the Sheppard Line, which was nearly shut down for underuse and continues to drain funding away from other TTC needs.

Nearly all Mayor's since Lastman can be hoisted on their terrible transit plans. Miller's plan fell apart with a light breeze, Ford meddled and delayed, and Tory's plans were subsumed by metrolinx.

 

[Jonny5]

Nearly all Mayor's since Lastman can be hoisted on their terrible transit plans. Miller's plan fell apart with a light breeze, Ford meddled and delayed, and Tory's plans were subsumed by metrolinx.

Some of Miller's plans are actually being built right now. No other Toronto mayor can say that since the Wilson-Downsview extension in 1996.

 

[picard102]

Some of Miller's plans are actually being built right now. No other Toronto mayor can say that since the Wilson-Downsview extension in 1996.

Except Lastman who's Sheppard line opened in 2002

 

[W. K. Lis]

Nearly all Mayor's since Lastman can be hoisted on their terrible transit plans. Miller's plan fell apart with a light breeze, Ford meddled and delayed, and Tory's plans were subsumed by metrolinx.

Miller's Transit City plans fell apart with the election of Rob Ford. Rob made a fiasco with almost everything he touched or was associated with (IE. Doug Ford).

 

[christiesplits]

Some absolutely leak money like a sieve. While ridership along Sheppard is higher than it was on busses, it's currently nowhere near projected ridership for the trains, even the projections for the first few years (it's now 19 years since it opened). It really is a route that would've been better served with an LRT; if the TTC hadn't completely turfed the idea of LRT back in the 80's when they got forced by the province to run mini trains on the SRT line.

It's important to remember than many council progressives, like Jack Layton and Joe Pantalone - while not exactly cheerleaders - supported the Sheppard Subway. There was a belief at the time "that if you build, they will come."

 

[DSC]

News Release

December 13, 2021

City of Toronto announces update on return to office plans

Based on recent changes to provincial public health guidelines, the City of Toronto is providing an update on its return to office plans for City office staff, which represent approximately 25 per cent of the City’s total workforce.

On Friday, December 10, the Province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health advised that employers in all industries should make every effort to allow employees to continue to work from home. As a result of this change in guidance, City office staff will continue to work remotely until there are changes to these provincial public health guidelines.

Counter services at City Hall and civic centres will remain open, as they have since August. Throughout the pandemic, the City accelerated the digital transformation that was already underway, which has modernized and improved customer experience and will continue to deliver convenient digital services ensuring choice, accessibility and equity for residents.

The health and safety of residents, businesses and City staff remain key priorities. The City continues to closely monitor COVID-19 and its variants, as has been the case since the start of the pandemic, and will continue to base decisions on scientific evidence.

The latest information about City services, including counter services, is available on the COVID-19: Changes to City Services webpage: www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-latest-city-of-toronto-news/affected-city-services/.

 

[picard102]

Miller's Transit City plans fell apart with the election of Rob Ford. Rob made a fiasco with almost everything he touched or was associated with (IE. Doug Ford).

He also campaigned on canceling it, and won. Popular, transit city was not.

 

[W. K. Lis]

The 1997 Mel Lastman vs. Barbara Hall mayoral race, right after amalgamation, foreshadowed the urban vs. suburban political and cultural divide that still exists, in some forms, today.

BlogTO

He also campaigned on canceling it, and won. Popular, transit city was not.

Rob Ford's suburban divide was similar to Lastman's. The suburban "folks" were still addicted to their cars, and wouldn't recognize climate change.