Toronto falling on Global Cities Index - transit is a part of it

The Global Index

First, check out this chart:

http://www.atkearney.com/gbpc/global-cities-index/full-report/-/asset_publisher/yAl1OgZpc1DO/content/2012-global-cities-index/10192

Follow the link above, check out the entire report - notice that there is not a single mention of Toronto in the report, at all. It's utterly un-noteworthy. It's been said "love me or hate me, but don't be indifferent" and that's exactly what Toronto is here - reflective of its tepid, insipid mediocrity. That's sad enough...but it gets worse...

Toronto's trend over the last five years?

• 10th in 2008
• 14th in 2010
• 16th in 2012

We are entrenched in the wrong direction.

The Urban Rail Express Grid

Engineer Julian Li, speaking as a private citizen, shares his professional vision of what public transit in Toronto could look like, and it's worth fair consideration.

How to make Toronto to be one of best transit cities using existing fund from julianli
  
Mr. Li held court, took questions and ably defended the grid here. He also replies to email if you wish to contact him directly (find contact info in his slides above).

Among Toronto's greatest strengths is its diversity. What's more, Toronto has a proud heritage of contributions to transit logistics by visible minorities (all Torontonians should know the name Thornton Blackburn), and being true to this heritage demands that we continue to leverage our diversity for progress.

There are good ideas out there - when people come from London UK or NYC and "laugh at our pathetic transit system" it's painfully obvious we have failed our obligation to lead, we've failed to live up to the responsibilities of "world class status" - a term that is more than just words.
 

Spend billions for one DRL someday, or flip switch on seven existing lines today?

This article commenting on the need for a downtown relief line (DRL) is utterly maddening.

This one line would cost $3.2 billion (and rising) and would be completed...um...someday - the article says "currently there is no money set aside for a downtown relief line."

Yet, right now, today, as I type, there are not one, not two (I feel like LeBron James here), not three, not four... but seven existing rail lines, like spokes, out from the Union Station hub (three east of Yonge Street and four west of Yonge Street). Yes, I said seven. These lines are in operation, by GO Transit. 

Scarborough RT service is deplorable

On a typical weekday morning, people waiting at Lawrence East RT Station on the southbound platform to go one stop to Kennedy Stn.  will often stand there while one, two, three, four…trains enter the station full (or, semi-full, more on that later) and leave without those people being able to get on. At 8am, those people are not out gang-banging or slinking in the shadows targeting little old ladies; at that time of the morning, people are out using public transit because they must, to get on with a productive day either working for a living or going to school to better themselves and prepare for being able to contribute to society.

This is cruel and unusual torment and torture for people just trying to get on with their day.

Scarborough Fair?

Scarborough residents have to swallow "no subways for you." 

I recently looked into the Presto payment option and discovered that there are multiple Presto machines at various TTC subway stations all across the city...except in Scarborough. 

The Harder Way

There are all kinds of methods by which TTC could improve service, methods that do not require testing beyond the proven real-world success other systems not far away already deploy. One topic with many opportunities is fare.

TTC Mall

Recently, TTC advertisements are revealing that it is the most underfunded big city transit system.

While that is annoying itself, for reasons that demand the extended attention of a longer exploration, it confirms that TTC has got to get creative and resourceful to find additional sources of funding. 

I'm not sure what's in the fine print of the by-laws, but it would seem to me a very good idea would be to expand the TTC landlord empire, collecting rents for increased retail tenants within the system.

 

"Respect and dignity" is a two-way street

Last night I attempted to engage a TTC bus operator in a conversation that could have the potential of saving not only his life, but that of his colleagues, as well as the productive lives of commuters.

TTC - Take the Car

Can two headlines go in opposite directions yet arrive at the same destination?

• Service going down - http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20110110/110110_ttc_proposed_changes/20110110/?hub=CP24Home

• Fares going up - http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20110110/110110_budget?hub=CP24Home

Yet, magically, mystically, destination remains the same - Torontonians get shafted.

Choking on Congestion Talk

Incredulous bemusement is the most generous manner by which I might describe my reaction to comments by Council members according to the Toronto Sun article Our highways to hell. 

According to the article, Councillor Gord Perks is quoted as saying "I don't view congestion as a problem." 

Hang on to your hat, because it is a problem. A big one.

Time for TTC to use the honour system

It's time for the TTC to deploy the honour system ("proof of payment" or POP) across the board. 

Increasing return on assets

It's snowing in Toronto. Lots. City snow removers are overwhelmed. Again. Traffic is sliding to a halt. Highways close. Call in the military?

This is one thing that bugs me about my city. It's the largest city in the country, one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world...we must have some smarts to think of new and better ways to do things and solve problems.