Transit City does 2 things and I may change my view on this over time as it will provide a faster means to get from point A to E alone the route as well dealing with overcrowded buses. Be more reliable because it not caught up in traffic as much.
An LRT line will carry far more riders if headways does not get cut. In some places, headways would increase because the line would be over service as well not having much growth. Max headway is 5 minutes.
For each bus you cut by using LRT's, you cut the labour cost as much as 2 to three drivers depending on the route. TTC labour eats up 82% of TTC operating budget.
I have issues with the bean counters thinking that we replace the existing fleet by 80% because the new LRT's can carry far more riders. If this is done, then the headways will get longer as well you are moving riders from sardine can to another sardine can and no room for growth.
The other issue is the fact what is the carrying capacity's of the LRT in the first place and what is it based on?
We are not a one size society as well we wear large coats in the winter, carry items on our backs, in our hands, under the arm as well made be on a scooter. Then there is the strollers, bikes, etc and all these items take up room. Low floor LRT's are going to have the same problem as buses in the wheel area as it will be a pinch point and not much room for seats and standing.
If 50% of TTC service was LRT's, our fare would be a lot lower than it is today as well come November.
Both TTC and Toronto need stop thinking at the fare box ratio as it is to high and it is the only large system that has a ratio above the low 60's in the first place. Toronto is the only city in Ontario let alone Canada, not supporting transit in the first place by paying less than 20% of operation cost.
If you look at Mississauga that has less than 20% service of TTC, you would had seen them passing TTC in fare cost in 2008 when riders would see the 8th year in a row of a 10 cent fare hike if TTC did not raise their fare this year. MT has a 56% fare box recovery.