[URBAN NOTE] "Scarborough RT opened March 24, 1985"

[rfmcdonald]

Toronto Transit's Robert MacKenzie yesterday noted the anniversary of the Scarborough Rapid Transit system, that most controversial component of the TTC's fixed-line routes.

For Scarborough-ites and many politicians, the line represents a literal slap in the face, delegating, in their minds at least, Scarborough and its residents to second-class status. If only Scarborough had a subway, their thinking goes, then they no longer would have to feel that they’re a secondary partner to the rest of the City of Toronto. That’s why proposals both in the past and today to build another subway in Scarborough always gain immediate attention from voters and the media.

The line has had a checkered history. When the former borough of Scarborough opened the civic centre and the nearby Scarborough Town Centre mall opened shortly later, they hoped that, in the near future, the subway would link their complexes to the rest of the city. However, the TTC looked at the costs involved and decided that a cheaper project was needed.

At first, the TTC proposed a streetcar line between Kennedy Station and the newly developing community of Malvern north of Sheppard Avenue. The cars would operate along a separate right of way, similar to the light rail transit lines that Metrolinx and the TTC are getting ready to build today.

In the meantime, the Ontario Government started to invest in transportation technology. It wanted to use the Scarborough line as a showcase for that investments. After several technological hiccups along the way, Scarborough ended up with a different sort of line — an intermediate capacity transit system or ICTS. It’s the only line of its kind in Toronto, although Vancouver’s successful SkyTrains use the same technology.

I've a 2006 essay about the line, with photos by larkvi. Mackenzie's post includes links to the various overviews of current and past TTC routes in the area.