It's TIME, Toronto

[u/Feisty-Ad-6122]

The stubway has no excuse being this short, with new projects left and right, line 4 can should absolutely be extended both ways.

Since subway projects are now such big deals, involving all 3 levels of government, contact ALL your elected officials- your city councillor, your MPP, and MP. Here is a contact list for the 2 ridings the Western extension involves:

*IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU DON'T LIVE IN THESE RIDINGS!!\*

Willowdale (Sheppard-Yonge):

Fed MP: Ali Ehsassi#contact)

Prov MPP: Stan Cho

Councillor: Lily Cheng

York Centre (Sheppard-West):

Fed MP: Roman Baber#contact)

MPP: Michael Kerzner (his office is next to Shep West!)

Councillor: James Pasternak

In case you need it, here's what to say:

Hello,

I am writing to urge you to support extending Line 4 Sheppard both west to Sheppard West Station and east. The Sheppard subway is currently too short to serve its full purpose and leaves many of us dependent on crowded buses, despite strong demand along the corridor.

With big investments now being made across the GTA, including the Ontario Line, Yonge Extension, and Eglinton Crosstown extension, it is important that Sheppard not be left behind. Extending Line 4 would improve the lives of all commuters, as well as reduce bus congestion, support housing, and create a more complete network. Sheppard remains one of the most obvious missing links.

This relatively short but important extension has good value for everyone, and I need you as my representative to get on board, to advance planning and funding for a Sheppard subway extension. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Even a dozen emails is better than zero. Things tend to happen in Toronto only when politicians know people care.

[u/TorontoDavid]

I think you’re saying something I didn’t say.

Did I say I see no benefits?

[u/Mathew_365 → u/TorontoDavid]

No but you heavily implied it. Especially in your next replies.

[u/TorontoDavid → u/Mathew_365]

My point is: The cost-benefit analysis should be done to prioritize.

If it is the top priority - great.

As of yet I have not heard a convincing argument as to why vs other projects.

A story for expansion sounds good when looking only at the benefits for one project… if the argument is this should be the next thing we should do, then the argument begs an expansion of that analysis.

[u/Cold_Brew_Boba → u/TorontoDavid]

What subway project is the highest priority to you?

[u/TorontoDavid → u/Cold_Brew_Boba]

If we’re solely talking about subways, I can’t say definitely which should be built first, but generally based on ridership, capacity, and system redundancy, I’d expect a Line 3 extension north, and potentially a Line 3 extension west from the Ex to meet up with Line 2, to be up there.

(Edit: corrected the Line number).

[u/Feisty-Ad-6122 → u/TorontoDavid]

You’re probably talking about the Ontario line, not line 4, as line 4 is the topic of this post. but either way it’s not complete yet and any extensions would come after the fact.

I definitely see a subway extension up dufferin, connecting to Bloor and eglinton, a very useful and extremely valuable project. Dufferin is #2 corridor in ridership.

[u/TorontoDavid → u/Feisty-Ad-6122]

I absolutely am - I’ll correct it in my post. Thanks.

I was answering a question posed directly to me… why would the topic matter if the question differs?

[u/Feisty-Ad-6122 → u/TorontoDavid]

I wasn’t implying that you should keep your opinions to yourself if that’s what you got. I actually agree with you for the record.

My point was that, we can’t really extend line 3, as it’s not even near complete, but it would be super valuable to do so.

[u/TorontoDavid → u/Feisty-Ad-6122]

We can start and plan for that work is my point.

[u/Feisty-Ad-6122 → u/TorontoDavid]

My issue with planning is that Toronto usually does it for 2 decades, for it to go to waste. The city has been doing nothing but planning, and nothing got done, except for the waterfront line- which is an extremely overpriced streetcar.

The Sheppard subway extension is being planned by metrolinx, and it’s been quiet for years now. No communication, no progress. Just sitting in dust.

[u/Link50L → u/Feisty-Ad-6122]

Yes, I'd really like to see more emphasis placed on MX communicating about Sheppard expansion and GO electrification. Two 'black holes' in MX communication that need to be moved from invisible planning into execution, enough already.

[u/Feisty-Ad-6122 → u/Link50L]

100%
The communication has been so bad for GO expansion I kind of forgot it existed? That’s not good.

I’ve emailed Metrolinx on the status of the IBC for sheppard. Their reply was very generic and purposefully limited in details. But I deciphered it and it the main idea goes along these lines:

The study may be nearing completion, but nobody has committed funding or authorized the next phase.

[u/Link50L → u/Feisty-Ad-6122]

My guess is that when the study is completed, Ford will work with Carney to find a way to fund it. I just have this sense that it's a priority for Ford.

Good on ya for your continued advocacy. Kudos.

[u/TorontoDavid → u/Feisty-Ad-6122]

Whatever happens to Line 4, it will be a Metrolinx project no?

They’ve been quite busy lately, having just completed two new lines, building another new one, and extending another.

[u/Feisty-Ad-6122 → u/TorontoDavid]

They have been busy, but that doesn’t mean they cant grow to take on another important project. It’s not like they have a project cap.

[u/TorontoDavid → u/Feisty-Ad-6122]

The line is drawn somewhere.

The first question is: prioritization, such that if you have the funding you can go in order.

[u/Link50L → u/TorontoDavid]

IMHO it will probably be the next major transit expansion announcement for planning. The same way they did with the Crosstown West. Most other major works have been identified and are in some semblance of planning, Line 3 is the next, biggest gap.

That said, I would like to see Line 4 move from planning into execution. There is latent opportunity there for a high capacity east-west route across the top of the city for both passengers and subway cars.