Torontonians may be celebrating the lazy, hazy days of summer, but that doesn’t mean that things aren’t happening on the public transit front. The Toronto Transit Commission had its June meeting earlier this week, and a number of issues were discussed which will affect passengers in the future. Transit Activist Steve Munro provides excellent analysis which you all should read.

Issues include:

• The Cattle Cars are back. Despite being strongly rebuked by TTC patrons and TTC chairman Howard Moscoe, staff within the TTC are again proposing that the next generation of subway cars have almost no forward facing seats. They’ve cited the recent arrested terrorist plot as the reason why. It is extremely discouraging to see the staff ignore the consistent wishes of the people of Toronto and, as Steve notes, Montreal was able to accommodate its passengers’ needs, while still maintaining security. — Fortunately, TTC Commissioners held their ground, and the new subway cars will be designed with mixed seating. However, the return of this issue suggests that this is something TTC passengers should keep an eye on, until the new cars are delivered.
• Work is continuing on the TTC’s Ridership Growth Strategy. Loading standards are being lowered so that buses and streetcars can be run more frequently, reducing crowding and wait times. There is a possibility that additional buses could be bought in 2007, and the TTC is looking at full service on all routes, with frequencies of at least 20 minutes or better. All this depends on whether the city provides the money. There is an election coming up this November, so if you want better public transit in Toronto, be sure to talk to your candidates, and vote for those who will put money where their mouth is.
• Proof of Payment was reaffirmed on Queen Street, with the TTC recommending that two full-time inspectors be hired to go after fare evaders. The TTC is now acknowledging that passenger loading times are a significant contributor to vehicle delays, and it’s possible that Proof of Payment may be extended throughout the streetcar network once the next generation arrives. It may cost the system in lost (essentially, stolen) fares, but that would be balanced off by faster service for passengers.
• Construction has resumed on the St. Clair right-of-way project, but the situation is still a mess. Complications with Ontario Hydro could futher delay the completion of this project.
• Planning continues on new LRT lines for the Port Lands. If all goes well, we could have streetcars on Cherry Street as early as 2009, and along Queens Quay east as early as 2011, although that’s wildly optimistic.
• Finally, Steve Munro makes deputations on the Ridership Growth Strategy, the new subway train seating configuration, and in defence of TTC Chairman Howard Moscoe