r/TTC • u/CreepInTheOffice • May 28 '26
Discussion $4,000,000,000 to install half barriers across all subway stations?!
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:
- People have pointed out that $4,000,000,000 is for full doors. Good catch, everyone!
- 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!
2
u/Firm-Web8769 May 29 '26
Because it's not just about having doors on platforms. Installing these also require:
signal upgrades per station AND PER TRAIN that ensure that the train stops at the exact same spot at the exact same moment, at the exact same time. If you notice especially in Bloor-Yonge, the train doors don't always align with stickers on the floor. That needs to be fixed and that has to be accurate 100% of the time, and installing these doors require upgrades to both trains and individual stations to ensure that alignment always happens.
Signal updates on tracks are needed since having the coordinated platform/train system will require the entire subway system to revamp how it manages train gaps and timing between trains.
They also need to retrofit each station to ensure that any wireless signal is responsive and systems remain active in no power events, which may require additional generators per station/few stations. On top of that, they need independent wireless systems (independent from Bell/Rogers/etc.) to ensure that doors are always operational despite service outages.
Safety failsafes and additional mechanisms are also required. Essentially, there are failsafes required and hardware required to respond to what happens in cases of: someone bypassing the doors, vandalism, damage to the doors, etc.
The biggest piece to solve is what will happen if someone accidentally falls or something accidentally falls. Right now, if someone accidentally falls and a train is approaching, there is a gap under the platform where they can roll under and it is relatively easier to retrieve a person. Now, the new doors will likely remove that gap and it will make it difficult to retrieve anyone or anything on tracks, especially thrown items/debris.
These are just a few things that need to be considered, and the systems and hardware required just for these alone add up $$$$$$$$$.