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rfmcdonaldTess Kalinowski, the paper's transportation journalist, examines the consequences of the 512 St. Clair streetcar, which runs along St. Clair Avenue, on its neighbourhood. Running on a recently built dedicated right that was years in construction, the 512 St. Clair streetcar has been used by opponents of light rail as a paradigm of what will happen to Scarborough if subways aren't built: neighbourhoods and streets will be disrupted, with terrible economic and other consequences, for years on end. Kalinowski's conclusion seems to be that--even if you allow for an identity between streetcars and light rail--the lessons from St. Clair is that the dedicated streetcar right-of-way didn't leave any lasting damage.
Royson James seems to be of two minds. James does begin his article by noting that the dream of extending subways through Scarborough is flawed by the established decades-old trend of low job growth in suburban Toronto despite rapid population growth. Without this job growth, the likelihood of these lines being profitable is minimal. Opting for light rail systems--especially where the funding is already there--would make sense. But James instead ends his article by calling for new funding systems--like the proposed levy on commercial parking spots--to pay for a Scarborough subway line instead.
Shrouded in a dusty cloud of controversy from the outset, the St. Clair streetcar’s dedicated lane still draws mixed reviews nearly two years after its completion.
But if the St. Clair streetcar is the disaster being touted by Mayor Rob Ford, there are few current signs of it on the street, or in the statistics.
Condo hoardings and stylish restaurants are elbowing out empty storefronts, suggesting the streetcar right-of-way may have been a rite of passage for St. Clair.
If city council votes as expected Wednesday, in favour of light rail on Sheppard Ave. E., Scarborough will get a version of transit that is superior even to St. Clair, which is significantly improved because it now runs on its own lane, says TTC Service Planning manager Mitch Stambler.
“Industry best-practice LRT, as per Sheppard or Finch, has stops further apart so the light-rail vehicles can really get going. The speed and reliability will be dramatically faster and reliable,” he said.
The 512 streetcar “is better but it’s not as excellent as it could be,” Stambler acknowledges. The TTC still has route-management work to do in terms of preventing short-turns and bunching on St. Clair.
TTC officials have admitted project management on the St. Clair right of way was a painful lesson in how not to build transit. But there have been gains. Round-trip times are down 14 per cent on average.
A midday Saturday trip has been reduced to 56 minutes from 70. Ridership of 32,400 people daily on the 512 streetcar is up 17 per cent in the morning rush — 13 per cent overall since pre-construction days in 2005, Stambler says.
Still, Sutton Group realtor Josie Stern is on the fence about how much the streetcar right-of-way has contributed to higher property values in the area, where housing prices have risen 35 to 40 per cent — “a bit more than the city as a whole.”
Royson James seems to be of two minds. James does begin his article by noting that the dream of extending subways through Scarborough is flawed by the established decades-old trend of low job growth in suburban Toronto despite rapid population growth. Without this job growth, the likelihood of these lines being profitable is minimal. Opting for light rail systems--especially where the funding is already there--would make sense. But James instead ends his article by calling for new funding systems--like the proposed levy on commercial parking spots--to pay for a Scarborough subway line instead.
[Scarborough resident Novina] Wong refuses to settle. And, unlike the mayor who spouts subways but won’t pay for them, she says council should explore all funding tools.
“Of course money matters. And no one wants to pay more taxes, levies or fees. But at the same time we know there is no such thing as a free ride. If the traditional funding model does not work, council must demonstrate its willingness to look at new ways of funding. And that includes any potential public/private partnerships or other sources of revenues.
“Building a subway is an extraordinary opportunity and calls for extraordinary measures. Honking our cars alone will not cut it.”
Wise words and some good advice for Ford, who she says has captured Scarborough’s heart by standing up for the former city.
“On March 21 we ask for the collective wisdom of council . . . And Mr. Mayor, with due respect, we ask you to extend an olive branch and seek a solution with your colleagues that all sides can live with.”
