EllaW
New Member
I think that’s the first new information I ever heard about this LRT that made me feel better instead of worse
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urbanclient
Senior Member
For China: practically non-existent to mixed on the first three by Canadian standards. But you're definitely wrong on the last two.
Believe it or not, an ostensibly socialist state does have social welfare and public health care. I cannot comment on the former's effectiveness from personal experience. But I anecdotally experienced publicly funded healthcare as being quick and efficient, even in poor third-tier cities. Without OHIP-equivalent, the uninsured have to pay a nominal fee of like $20-100 CAD just to get a specialist appointment though. Doesn't include cost of tests and drugs. All depends on the localized cost-of-living.
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hw621
Senior Member
Social welfare protections and public health care are effectively absent for the majority of the labor force drawn from the countryside. I am originally from there, and I understand this system from the inside. These workers exist largely outside formal social safety nets, with limited access to medical care, pensions, unemployment insurance, or meaningful labor protections. Their vulnerability is not incidental; it is structural.
This labor force works relentlessly for minimal pay and marginal benefits, sustaining long hours under conditions that would be unacceptable in most developed economies. They are the ones who deliver the output, power the factories, and enable low-cost production at scale, yet they have little voice and no leverage. Their grievances rarely surface, and when they do, they are seldom heard. The system depends on their invisibility as much as on their labor.
No country or company operating within a regulated environment can genuinely compete with this business model. It is not a level playing field. The cost advantage is built on the systematic exclusion of worker welfare, the externalization of social costs, and the suppression of labor rights. Framing this as simple efficiency or competitiveness ignores the fundamental imbalance at its core.
urbanclient
Senior Member
When you contextualize it like this, I don't disagree. The original blanket statement lacks nuance though, maybe I'm just being pedantic. In my opinion, if you can afford the nominal fee of 10s to 100s of RMB to see a non-ER hospitalist or specialist in China, you'd almost certainly be seen sooner than you would waiting in an ER in Canada. I'm sure there are plenty of exploited workers without hukou in the city that they live and work in. But even then, the cost of healthcare is less of a barrier, it's the fact they can't get a day off to actually see a doctor. Social welfare does exist, but yes if you're a factory worker originally from the countryside and not a public servant or in a state-owned enterprise etc. the welfare can suck.
And yes, there is no way Canada can compete with China on nominal cost for infrastructure projects, but Canada sure as heck can learn from best practices in China. That's what @Jm gravel and others like myself hope Canada would do.
China is clearly the world leader in metro and HSR, and it's not purely because they can exploit a very large underclass. Sydney Metro is mostly done by construction companies ultimately owned by the Chinese government, using local Australian labour. Much better outcomes than what we've seen in Toronto in the last 3 decades. Competent, world-class project management goes a long way.
nfitz
Superstar
I believe Waterloo has electric heaters. I can't say that that I've seen gas heaters on the streetcar tracks.
The wrong heater, and not using electricity are different things.
EastYorkTTCFan
Senior Member
The TTC doesn't use switch heaters on the streetcar network, due to them being single-balled switches, it's fairly easy to clean them and throw them manually if they need to
Chaplinurbex
New Member
This might not seem like much, but I think it is another good sign of an imminent opening. I walk by Chaplin station every day with my dog. Since I have nothing better to do I like to stare in longingly. In the main station there has been an informational poster on the window in this picture (you can see the tape marks) for years. On the other side of the station near the orange bench there was a table, chair, and bulletin board. Again, had been there for years. These were both things placed for workers (contact numbers, health and safety, technical information etc). If they are removing infrastructure for workers that would be important or even legally required, then they must be getting the stations ready for customers.
Anyways, thought I'd add something that isn't endlessly arguing about how Line 5 should have been built different.
Anyways, thought I'd add something that isn't endlessly arguing about how Line 5 should have been built different.
Chaplinurbex
New Member
Adding to my post above. Earlier in 2025 all of the electronic display board in the stations began displaying schedules and maps. A few months ago when all the fencing around the station entrances came down, they switched the screens to all say "LRT Testing In Progress". I would assume so that people aren't confused and think that they can walk into the stations and use the train. As of this morning (you can see in my photo above from last night the old message), the displays are back to showing maps and schedules. So, another sign pointing to them getting ready to accept passengers soon.
A 6264
Active Member
For all the fuss about how slow the east above-groupd portion of the line might be, it's been my observation that in evenings, when they don't keep stopping the trains for inspectors to get out and look around, the test trains and buses seem to be able to travel at approx. equal speeds and keep up with each other. I have a big problem with the Eglinton 34 buses since line 5 construction began, in that they are so far apart, I often have to wait 20 minutes for one to arrive. Regardless of speed, the trains should be a big improvement on frequency and wait times. In short I don't think the open sections will be as bad as people worry about, and will not be just like Finch West. I'm all for line 5 opening ASAP, but without making predictions that it will do so soon, keeping it real. I think there is no good reason for it to have not opened years ago.
nfitz
Superstar
If it avoids much of the disaster of the Finch West opening, it was worth every minute! And there's positive signs as Line 5 remained running yesterday, when Line 6 was closed. Better yet if they push through proper signal priority in a year or two.
Clearly whoever at Metrolinx that is managing Line 5 and/or whoever at TTC who is agreeing to accept it are far more competent than Line 6. And/or the consortium is far more competent and responsible.
urbanclient
Senior Member
I'll keep this in mind, but I am not getting my hopes up. The December 10th TTC board meeting revealed that the travel times were not meeting the original projections. Getting strong TSP working in 53 days is not something I am confident about.
jordanmkasla2009
Active Member
To add to this, every TTC streetcar also has a switch broom as well as a switch bar so even if there was a problem throwing the switch through NA, the operator could get out, sweep and throw it manually.
Waterloo uses electric heaters on the embedded sections and forced-air natural gas heaters on the rail spurs and in the yard. Drivers also have a switch broom in the cab in case they need to use the embedded switches and have a problem with the system throwing the switch. Switches in the embedded section are also visited by the track maintenance contractor as part of their snow clearing efforts.
crs1026
Superstar
I would hope that the traditional manual sweeping of switches is not a practice that TTC would impose on an LRT. Good example of “how to turn an LRT into a streetcar”.
I’m not aware - how are switches cleared on exposed sections of the subway eg Davisville, Keele? One would hope that the LRT works similarly.
- Paul
I’m not aware - how are switches cleared on exposed sections of the subway eg Davisville, Keele? One would hope that the LRT works similarly.
- Paul
smallspy
Senior Member
Switch heaters, and trackside forces equipped with brooms. The same thing as the full-sized railways.
Dan
toronto647
Active Member
Serious Question - Are there any updates on whether the Eglinton LRT is opening in February, if yes, when in Feb? Also any update when TTC / City will be providing an update in "late Jan" as we are already in the third half of the month almost with no indication of an announcement date...