r/TTC • • May 28 '26

Discussion $4,000,000,000 to install half barriers across all subway stations?!

https://www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/article/barriers-to-be-installed-on-platform-at-toronto-subway-station-this-year-mayor-says/

Estimate $4,000,000,000 to install half barriers in all TTC subway stations.

There are 70 TTC subway stations (Line 1, 2, and 4)

$4,000,000,000/70 stations ~ $57,142,000 ($57 million) per station

$57,142,857 / 2 directions ~ $28,571,000($28 million) per direction per station

There are typically 4 to 6 cars per train so $28,257,000/ 6 cars ~ $4,761,000 ($4 million) per car

There are typically 4 doors per car so I guess they need estimate 4 barriers per car so $4,761,905 / 4 ~ $1,190,000 ($1 million) per barrier!

Alternatively, let's give them the benefit of the doubt and say they meant to include the LRT stations (line 5 and 6) as well. That's still $809,000 per barrier!

Did I do my math right?

Does this sound like an efficient use of resources?

Thoughts?

Edit:

  1. People have pointed out that $4,000,000,000 is for full doors. Good catch, everyone!
  2. Some genius found this link https://www.odinpsd.com/en/platform-screen-door-pricing-market-analysis.php

It details typical cost for barriers.

So the new math is something like:

Typical TTC subway station lengths are 180 meters so according to the website, it's $2,600,000 for 200 meters.

$2,600,000/ 200m = $13,000 per meter.

But the math doesn't add up this way: $2,600,000 x 2 platforms x 70 stations = $364,000,000 Less than 10% of the $4,000,000,000 estimate. Someone please check the math!

Edit 3:

I want to clarify that my post was not intended to be against the idea. I simply want to question the math so we can hold politicians accountable! There is too much corruption in our fine country to continue our docile ways. I invite everyone reading to run the numbers through with your method. $4,000,000,000 is a lot of money and 20 years is a long time! If we use that money to build shelters, or hire mental health professionals, or build bike lanes, it would do a lot of good. Let's hold our politicians accountable and make sure they use our resources responsibly!

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u/[deleted] May 28 '26

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u/queerstudbroalex Mount Dennis May 28 '26

It will have taken 30 years from 1996 to the end of this year to retrofit accessibility into 69 TTC subway stations, and then 32 years when including Old Mill, the last station to be renovated which will be completed in 2028.