October 3, 2013

 

Andy Byford

CEO, Toronto Transit Commission

1900 Yonge St

Toronto ON  M4S 1Z2

 

 

 

Dear Mr. Byford,

 

 

Recently, you informed me that the TTC expects to require a temporary closure of the Yonge subway line between St. Clair and Eglinton stations at some point in the future. I appreciate this advance notice.

 

 

We all understand that the City needs to maintain and construct new infrastructure to keep the lights on, water running and, in this case, get residents to work and back. However, Torontonians expect that this work is done properly, as quickly and with as minimal a disruption to their daily lives as is possible.

 

 

Given that this closure would shut down a portion of our city’s busiest transit route, it has the potential to affect thousands of transit riders including commuters from across our city and region, shoppers and tourists. It is absolutely imperative that we are fully prepared well in advance to accommodate everyone who needs to travel through and within Midtown Toronto.

 

 

I am writing to urge you to take the substantive steps necessary to keep Toronto moving. In a publicly accessible response could you please consider the following points/questions:

 

 

A) Is it necessary to shut down the tracks during operating hours and/or weekdays? Could the work be done overnight and/or on the weekend?

B) And if A) is not feasible and you can demonstrate to the public why, could the work be done in August when fewer people are working?

C) With transportation capacity significantly reduced would prioritizing shuttle buses (perhaps with shuttle bus-only lanes) ensure that riders can continue to move during this period of disruption?

 

 

The city does not have to grind to a halt during this subway closure as long as the TTC  proactively addresses the situation. I am requesting that the strategy you develop be open and transparent, incorporating feedback from Toronto residents.

 

 

I look forward to your response, and to learn more about your plans, at your earliest possible opportunity.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

 

Josh Matlow
Toronto City Councillor

Ward 22 – St. Paul’s

 

 

cc:       Karen Stintz, TTC Chair and City Councillor, Ward 16 – Eglinton-Lawrence

Stephen Buckley, General Manager, Transportation Services