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andrewpmk said:
Somehow I don't think that the current light rail only plan will survive if transit taxes are implemented. It only made sense with a severe funding shortage. If a transit tax is implemented, voters will realize that building only light rail makes no sense if you have a much larger budget (say $30 billion). I would expect to see Rob Ford get his Sheppard subway (and Eglinton elevated) in exchange for full funding of the DRL.

We need something like this: <http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Grand_paris_express.svg>. This subway expansion plan in Paris costs 30 billion euros, and the majority of it does not go "downtown". (The western extension of RER E is not shown on this map, and a number of additional tram lines are planned or under construction). This will reduce traffic congestion on congested Paris ring roads. Similarly, an Eglinton subway with a western extension to Pearson Airport/Square One, and a Sheppard subway with an extension to Pickering (running in median of 401 east of STC) would provide relief to the 401, and a Don Mills subway to Leslie/7 would relieve the DVP/404.
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So is this the TTC or the GTTC? And Pickering?
 
canmark said:
Rob Ford's funding solution: casino!
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Clearly he didn't get the memo that it would be an adult conversation. How do you fund something on the $20-million a year that they say this would give. Even the early very optimistic $100-million a year estimates would take about 40 years, just to pay for the existing projects, let alone anything new.
 
nfitz said:
What current light rail only plan? The next two Metrolinx lines in Toronto (in their next wave) after Finch and Sheppard LRT lines are the Yonge subway extension and the Downtown Relief Line. In the currently funded projects we have the Spadina extension.
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Andrew knew that, or he was supposed to. What I want to know is why he hates light rail so bad.
 
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Living in a big city exposes one to a myriad of views from quirky and quixotic to visionary and revolutionary. The massing of minds and matter also assures that on any major issue you can find one or two million people with an opposing viewpoint.

Dynamic, resilient and adaptive, the city survives the push and pull of conflicting views — listing too far under the sway of one rabble or the other only to be yanked back toward balance by counter forces.

It’s two steps forward, one step back in a slow, frustrating march toward progress.
http://www.thestar.com/news/city_ha...s_must_speak_up_for_metrolinx_plan_james.html
 
Looking over the chart, the vehicle kilometres travelled looks interesting, and would benefit me greatly since I drive so rarely that I end up filling up my gas tank about as often as I change my oil! It also looks to have good revenue potential. That said, at this point in time I think a gas tax may be more beneficial.

The main rational behind such a move is that as more people move towards fuel efficient and electric vehicles, the gas revenue will dry up. While this is probably true, unfortunately we are not quite there yet. Too many cars still are very fuel inefficient, and hybrids and electrics still make up a minority of the vehicles out there.

For the time being, I would focus on gas taxes and re-evaluate them every 3 years. I would also consider a tax on electricity usage as well, since not all electric cars are created equal and some will use more electrical resources than others (unless I missed it, they are considering a flat fee rather than a fee on usage).
 
Somehow I don't think that the current light rail only plan will survive if transit taxes are implemented. It only made sense with a severe funding shortage. If a transit tax is implemented, voters will realize that building only light rail makes no sense if you have a much larger budget (say $30 billion). I would expect to see Rob Ford get his Sheppard subway (and Eglinton elevated) in exchange for full funding of the DRL.
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Sorry, I think Rob Ford has already came out against the idea of new funding, period. Who needs that when apparently a casino can pay for everything? Besides, his support or non-support of anything is pretty much meaningless at this point. Whether Sheppard or Eglinton should get alternate modes should rest solely on merit.

We need something like this: <http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Grand_paris_express.svg>. This subway expansion plan in Paris costs 30 billion euros, and the majority of it does not go "downtown". (The western extension of RER E is not shown on this map, and a number of additional tram lines are planned or under construction). This will reduce traffic congestion on congested Paris ring roads. Similarly, an Eglinton subway with a western extension to Pearson Airport/Square One, and a Sheppard subway with an extension to Pickering (running in median of 401 east of STC) would provide relief to the 401, and a Don Mills subway to Leslie/7 would relieve the DVP/404.
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Sorry, how much subway does Paris have in the core again? And if you think that subways can somehow relief highways with trips that are extremely diffuse origins and destination - recall that running subways in the median of Allen didn't do a thing to provide the former any relief. Individuals ideas should be justified on the basis of merit.

AoD
 
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nfitz said:
Clearly he didn't get the memo that it would be an adult conversation. How do you fund something on the $20-million a year that they say this would give. Even the early very optimistic $100-million a year estimates would take about 40 years, just to pay for the existing projects, let alone anything new.
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I really thought you were smarter nfitz. When Rob Ford says the Casino is the way to pay for transit he is not talking about the $20 - $100 million of hosting fees. Geez, it is obvious.....once the casino opens, the Mayor of the day (and obviously he hopes it is him) will take one year's city revenues (from all fees, taxes, development charges, transit fares, etc) and spend a night at the casino.

The winnings will be huge and that will pay for transit. Try and keep up....will ya? ;)
 
AlvinofDiaspar said:
And if you think that subways can somehow relief highways with trips that are extremely diffuse origins and destination - recall that running subways in the median of Allen didn't do a thing to provide the former any relief. Individuals ideas should be justified on the basis of merit.

AoD
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That is... half true. As bad as congestion is on the Allen, imagine how much worse it would be if there was no rapid transit alternative. And considering all the parking spaces along the route, there appears to be some people willing to park and ride instead of drive. And while not a subway per se, GO trains have done an admirable job controlling highway expansion along the QEW.

That said, an express service like GO is better suited to compete with highways than a rapid transit metro service.
 
As irresistible as it is, we should probably try to contain Rob Ford's antics in the dedicated thread (under Toronto Issues) instead of letting them pollute all other discussion. This is a serious topic that deserves thoughtful attention, not Rob Ford vomit clips.
 
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