Standing outside Downsview subway station, David Miller announced his vision for making Toronto a transit city. In order have better public transit in Toronto today, he would do the following:

• Create more dedicated streetcar and bus rights of way:

a. Bus rapid transit (BRT) along Yonge Street from Finch to Steeles avenues

b. BRT along Kingston Road from Victoria Park to Eglinton avenues

c. BRT from Downsview subway station to York University

d. Light rapid transit (LRT) through the East Bayfront and Portlands on the waterfront

e. LRT along Don Mills Road from Steeles Avenue to the City centre

• Develop a Metropass affinity program that would “encourage businesses to offer discounts to customers” who show that they have a Metropass.

• Make sure that by the fall of 2007, the TTC and Toronto’s major post-secondary institutions would have a “U-Pass” for university and college students (essentially a more affordable Metropass for students).

• “Speed up the implementation of Toronto’s bike plan.”

• Support the construction of a rail ink to the airport, provided that it “protects and serves local communities.”

• Work to extend the Spadina subway line to York University and Vaughn. As his press release states: “Toronto’s first subway to the suburbs.”

I wholeheartedly agree with the Mayor on the first five points, but the sixth? Toronto’s first subway to the suburbs? That last line indicates that Miller’s transit vision is extremely flawed. The suburbs of Toronto do not need a subway, because the densities in our suburbs are not conducive to this form of rapid transit. They would be better served by BRT/LRT lines that meet the capacity of the suburbs without costing taxpayers an arm and a leg.

His vision for implementing numerous rapid transit lines throughout the city is diametrically opposed to the creation of an almost $2 billion subway line. All of the money that the City has committed to building the Spadina subway extension could pay for all of the initiatives in the Transit City report, and more. The entire city of Toronto would have a better public transit system in the next few years if we don’t build the Spadina extension.

Unfortunately, the Mayor has had to fall in love with the Spadina extension for political reasons. In reference to the subway extension, he stated in the spring/summer 2006 issue of Spacing magazine that “we have to play the cards that we’re dealt.”

If so, why doesn’t he play the cards he is dealt when it comes to the island airport? The Federal government went against his wishes, but he continues to rally against them and their support of the island airport. Why fight the Feds over an issue that few in Toronto care about, yet acquiesce to the Province on a huge issue that affects every Torontonian?

As Mayor, he should be standing up to the Province and telling them that the Spadina subway extension costs more money and helps less people then a network of BRT & LRT lines throughout the city.

Overall, Miller’s plans for Toronto’s public transit system are more effective and achievable then his opponents, but he needs to rethink his position on the Spadina subway extension. The Mayor stated that Toronto doesn’t lack vision when it comes to transit, we lack the funds. Then why is he willing to sign off on an highly expensive megaproject knowing that it’s not cost-effective?

Think about it. If the City of Toronto only has so much money to spend on transit: would you rather help out one area of the city, or help out the entire city?