(Image: John Lewis)
When Sarah Thomson proposed her ambitious subway plan, we were skeptical to say the least. Further analysis from John Lorinc was even less kind. It’s not that we don’t love subways. It’s just that the numbers don’t add up: subways are terribly expensive, Toronto can’t afford the cut-rate system its trying to build now and help from other levels of government keeps evaporating. So here we have a poorly thought out idea with a weak basis and hot-button potential. Which other mayoral candidate could possibly sign on?
Mayoral candidate Rob Ford says he would scrap the Transit City light rail plan in the absence of full funding from the province, and try to build subways instead.
Mr. Ford has always been against streetcars, and he said a vote for him would be a vote against expanding that mode of transit. “People want subways,” he said yesterday.
People also want low taxes, unicorns and the kind of ice cream you can eat all day and lose weight. Still, if this changes the channel so the mayor’s debate can discuss something other than bike lanes, we’re all for it—so good luck, candidates Ford and Thomson. Politics really does make strange bedfellows.
Shudder.
• Ford would derail Transit City [Toronto Sun]
• Scrap light rail plans, build subways instead, Ford says [National Post]
John, I’m not sure why you and John Lorinc haven’t taken in all the options I have suggested… but here they are again. The only viable way to fund our expanded subway system is by combining tolls from the Gardiner and DVP with a Subway Bond and with public-private-partnerships to both build and create business opportunities, as well as funding from our Provincial government. To think that any one of these options alone could do it is a bit of a dream. If you would like more information — and I do suggest research when writing an article — please feel free to talk with me.
April 30, 2010 at 2:19 pm | by Sarah ThomsonAll the best,
Sarah Thomson
Candidate for Mayor Toronto
Cost versus Benefits. Can left wingers not do a proper analysis? If TTC could build the Yonge and Bloor Subway lines with their own money back in the 50/60s then why isn’t it possible to do the same today? Bad management, poor organizational skills, lack of vision and planning, lack of financial accountability and acumen.
November 17, 2010 at 1:01 pm | by Patricia SinclairA lot of changes are required in this city if we are going to prosper and grow.