[Northern Light]

I can't post images right now for some reason, it's a bug on my end. I got 56 minutes according to Google Maps for transit including LW. That's effectively 1 hour when you factor in walking time out of Union Station.

You just missed the train! LOL

****

That said, the point is not that commutes from this area to downtown will be ideal; nor that most people living here commute to downtown (they don't).

Merely that it is feasible for the commute to be reasonable with some modest investments.

 

[urbanclient]

Merely that it is feasible for the commute to be reasonable with some modest investments.

I think that transit desert example will unfortunately remain that way (until another east-west subway besides Line 2 reaches Etobicoke). The GO train model even at 15 minute intervals often requires people to drive or get dropped off just to be time competitive with express LW trains from Mississauga and Oakville... See my post edits above^

Much of the circled area I would consider to be a transit desert in terms of not having <50 minute transit times to Downtown (missed a chunk towards the shoreline).

Not ideal FWIW at random, I asked google how fast to get downtown from this location right now:

That seems to be comparing Long Branch station drive vs. transit, but very few people live that close to the station. I get what you're saying though. The Gardiner + local roads can be a 1 hour+ slog during rush hour.

 

[81-717]

If you prefer to watch, or ride, or photograph, that's your choice....but don't expect others to take up your slack.

Of course not, I wouldn't wanna burden them while they're busy taking up the slack for everyone else (fans of streetcars, fishbowls, SRT, etc). /s

You know how Halton County got most of their rolling stock? A lot of it - probably most, actually - was purchased by individuals or small groups, and then donated to the museum. Just like how a small group of people fought for a bought an LRC locomotive in order to save it. Preservation doesn't get handed to you.

So how is an individual supposed to buy a piece of rolling stock and get it transported to their house, if they have a very modest balance saved up, that's barely enough to cover their daily expenses? And even if their backyard is big enough (it usually isn't), they may not be allowed to put it there anyway, because they don't live alone & aren't the property owners and that decision isn't theirs to make? Or, alternatively, where are they supposed to find a storage space to buy/rent for that? The TTC has plenty of yard space, resources & expertise to store & maintain rolling stock (obviously), as do museum organizations, so expecting individuals who have none of the above to do it all by themselves is a cheap cop-out. Perhaps if one of those organizations made contact with the organization that owns 5707, they'd be more successful in getting a response and establishing a relationship than an individual trying to do the same & expressing interest to join them (the owners of 5707).

Riots in the streets?! Stollery's was pending a heritage status decision, and while it did cause a few people on UT to be ticked off and even made news, it's certainly not anything that anyone has clung on to, proclaiming conspiracy, nor continued to repeat ad nauseam in that thread. And there certainly weren't riots.

And it wasn't demolished because of some conspiracy against it by (then) developer Mizrahi, it was purely about speed and financial reasons. Ascribing conspiracy to it, or further yet developing an obsession over it to the annoyance of others, would be worthy of great amounts of ridicule.

While I never heard of it until you mentioned it, and don't personally care, after going down that rabbit hole for a bit I'll play devil's advocate and say that those who are passionate about it have their reasons to react however they feel like (now imagine the level of public outrage if Casa Loma were to be demolished, in an example).

The fact of the matter is that nobody outside of a few transit wonks are going to care that Hawkers weren't kept.

Just like nobody outside of a few architecture wonks are going to care that Stollery's wasn't kept, right? And just like nobody outside of a few of this new generation (gen z etc.) of transit wonks are going to care that the T1s & TRs won't be kept either, right? Right?

You're acting like a guy asking everyone they meet if they want to see their balkan state coin collection.

If you knew me irl, you'd know I'm quite the opposite, actually.

People moved on. You should too.

Hopefully the 2030s will be favorable in allowing me to do so.

Why would I have wanted to stand around stranded while they simulated delays?

They don't need to simulate, it just happens

 

[Monarch Butterfly]

There has been "talk', but nothing else but "talk", about upgrading Lake Shore Blvd. W. in Etobicoke to prioritize streetcars. Nothing has happened for d-e-c-a-d-e-s. The roadway is wide enough for a right-of-way for the streetcars, but should come with priority signals for the streetcars as well.

This is at Lake Shore and Park Lawn. The vehicles want to make a left turn onto Park Lawn. If a streetcar comes along, it will have to wait until there is an advanced left turn signal so that maybe the streetcar will get through. With a right-of-way along with a farside stop, the streetcar would be able to pass the left turning vehicles, if they get their own transit signal.

 

[TwoWheelPoli]

Jonathan English put up a good read on Substack this morning explaining why Toronto transit puts all American cities except for NYC to shame. It's not subways, but rather the frequent suburban bus service introduced in the early 1960's.

The Toronto Model for Transit

Induced demand is real for transit too

infrastory.substack.com

 

[urbanclient]

There has been "talk', but nothing else but "talk", about upgrading Lake Shore Blvd. W. in Etobicoke to prioritize streetcars. Nothing has happened for d-e-c-a-d-e-s. The roadway is wide enough for a right-of-way for the streetcars, but should come with priority signals for the streetcars as well.

This is at Lake Shore and Park Lawn. The vehicles want to make a left turn onto Park Lawn. If a streetcar comes along, it will have to wait until there is an advanced left turn signal so that maybe the streetcar will get through. With a right-of-way along with a farside stop, the streetcar would be able to pass the left turning vehicles, if they get their own transit signal.

Even if there was a one seat ride from Lakeshore Blvd at Kipling Ave to Osgoode station, and the streetcar speeds were improved, I still doubt the travel times would be attractive. An unrealistic 21 km/h would mean 40 minutes for ~14 km. A more realistic 14 km/h would imply 60 minutes. (Not what Waterfront West will be AFAIK, so actual trips will require more walking or a transfer)

30 km/h rapid transit should put areas within 13-15 km in the ~30 minute radius.

40 minutes is broken down as 25+6 minutes travelling, 4+5 minutes waiting/transferring:

 

[Monarch Butterfly]

Even if there was a one seat ride from Lakeshore Blvd at Kipling Ave to Osgoode station, and the streetcar speeds were improved, I still doubt the travel times would be attractive. An unrealistic 21 km/h would mean 40 minutes for ~14 km. A more realistic 14 km/h would imply 60 minutes. (Not what Waterfront West will be AFAIK, so actual trips will require more walking or a transfer)

30 km/h rapid transit should put areas within 13-15 km in the ~30 minute radius.

40 minutes is broken down as 25+6 minutes travelling, 4+5 minutes waiting/transferring:
View attachment 736103

The cost for a GO Train ticket from Long Branch to Union Station is approximately $6 to $8, taking about 24 minutes. Taking the TTC would be cheaper, but take longer.

 

[urbanclient]

The cost for a GO Train ticket from Long Branch to Union Station is approximately $6 to $8, taking about 24 minutes. Taking the TTC would be cheaper, but take longer.

I have a friend who is a 30-40 minute walk to Long Branch + 21 minute train to Union, or a 90+ minute trip on the TTC with bus-subway-subway, streetcar-streetcar all being options.

Taking the 507 to/from Long Branch GO still results in a total trip time of 53-56 min for said friend. More than 1 hour if you leave a realistic buffer. The GO fare is $4. The fare isn't an issue, time is. That's why people drive from Etobicoke to downtown if they can afford a car.

The transit desert between Long Branch & Mimico W-E, and Line 2's catchment & Lake Ontario N-S is the most egregious in Toronto given it's physical proximity to downtown relative to the travel times.

Contrast this with a similar distance east, Scarborough and Eglinton GO have much more parking (unlike Long Branch and Mimico). TTC to Kennedy and Warden are also options.

 

[smallspy]

So how is an individual supposed to buy a piece of rolling stock and get it transported to their house, if they have a very modest balance saved up, that's barely enough to cover their daily expenses? And even if their backyard is big enough (it usually isn't), they may not be allowed to put it there anyway, because they don't live alone & aren't the property owners and that decision isn't theirs to make? Or, alternatively, where are they supposed to find a storage space to buy/rent for that? The TTC has plenty of yard space, resources & expertise to store & maintain rolling stock (obviously), as do museum organizations, so expecting individuals who have none of the above to do it all by themselves is a cheap cop-out. Perhaps if one of those organizations made contact with the organization that owns 5707, they'd be more successful in getting a response and establishing a relationship than an individual trying to do the same & expressing interest to join them (the owners of 5707).

That's for the individual(s) to figure out. When we started we certainly didn't have room to store an LRC nor the funds to do purchase it and then store it, but we worked hard to make sure that we were able to get everything together. That included raising funds for the purchase and the upkeep, and working with partners for storage.

Until such a point that we give them the money to do it, it's not incumbent on the transit property to save everything (or frankly anything). And it's not incumbent on the museum to, either.

And unless you get off of your ass and do something, nothing will change. That's what some of us are doing. Are you going to keep whining, or do something about it?

Dan

 

[drum118]

Statement from Mandeep S. Lali, Chief Executive Officer, TTC, on negotiations with CUPE Local 2

May 12, 2026

As I’ve said from the beginning, the TTC is committed to reaching a fair and financially sustainable agreement with the 700 highly skilled electrical workers represented by CUPE Local 2 through a respectful and constructive dialogue. Since my last update on April 30, discussions have been ongoing.

Let me be clear. The TTC values the important and highly skilled work performed by CUPE Local 2 members. I began my career as a transit electrician, and I understand the safety-critical nature of this work. At the same time, the TTC has an obligation to manage public resources responsibly. Every dollar committed at the bargaining table is a dollar paid by taxpayers and riders, and every long-term cost decision has consequences for service reliability and affordability.

The union’s current proposal would add approximately $40 million in additional costs over the term of the agreement. This is on top of a compensation package that already places CUPE Local 2 members at the high end of the public sector pay and benefits spectrum.

That existing package includes provisions that are significantly more generous than those found in most comparator agreements, including:
• Double an employee’s regular hourly rate for overtime work
• A 25% premium for Sunday work

These provisions already provide CUPE Local 2 members with a level of compensation that exceeds most comparable agreements, before any additional increases now being sought.

CUPE Local 2’s most recent agreement also delivered wage increases totaling 14.9% over four years, exceeding the 14.65% negotiated by the City of Toronto with CUPE Local 416. Even so, the TTC’s current offer continues to provide above-inflation increases and wage growth that exceeds comparable transit agreements.

Taken together, the union’s proposal is not fair, reasonable or affordable for the TTC, and it is not aligned with what other TTC employees or most Torontonians can expect to earn over the next three years. Advancing proposals of this scale makes reaching a negotiated settlement more difficult and frustrates progress at the bargaining table.

The TTC cannot agree to proposals that place an unfair burden on taxpayers, customers, and thousands of other frontline TTC employees.
The TTC remains at the table, ready to negotiate, all day, every day, to reach a fair and financially sustainable agreement that supports employees and protects reliable transit service for the millions of customers who rely on us daily.

It is important to note that at this time, there is no change to TTC service. Customers should continue to rely on official TTC channels for confirmed real-time updates.

Mandeep S. Lali, CEO
Toronto Transit Commission

 

[nfitz]

When are they in a strike position? Is it likely?

 

[81-717]

And unless you get off of your ass and do something, nothing will change. That's what some of us are doing. Are you going to keep whining, or do something about it?

As I've said before, last time I contacted the organization who owns 5707 I didn't hear back, so what else am I supposed to do, besides possibly trying again after a while?

Until such a point that we give them the money to do it

Money that is a fortune for individuals, but pocket change for larger organizations.

it's not incumbent on the transit property to save everything (or frankly anything). And it's not incumbent on the museums to, either.

Riight, and it's not incumbent on the TTC to provide public transport services, either.

If it isn't, they wouldn't/shouldn't be saving what is effectively literally every other thing in existence.

Which one have you paid for admission or made a donation to?

So how much of a donation would they require to agree to save one?

 

[zang]

As I've said before, last time I contacted the organization who owns 5707 I didn't hear back, so what else am I supposed to do, besides possibly trying again after a while?

Try harder. Do some detective work and research.

Because making it known with every other post on UT helps how?

 

[drum118]

Some TTC stations staff now equipped with body-worn cameras in move to improve safety on transit

May 13, 2026

Managers and supervisors, members of CUPE Local 5585, in TTC subway stations are now wearing body-worn cameras in a move that will improve safety, based on data and studies from across the world, while encouraging more respectful interactions between customers and staff.

The phased introduction of the cameras for stations staff follows the successful rollout of the devices with TTC Special Constables and Provincial Offences Officers in January 2025. TTC staff who already wear cameras report a noticeable improvement in their overall perception of safety.

From now until the start of the FIFA World Cup 2026tm, the TTC is rolling out body-worn cameras to almost 150 station staff. As part of the station staff body-worn camera program, the TTC will be collecting data, assessing the effectiveness of the devices, and fine-tuning the program to ensure we provide our staff with the maximum benefit of this technology, as proven across the world on similar subway systems.

“Maintaining the safety of customers and employees is a top priority for the TTC and the Board,” said TTC Chair Jamaal Myers. “The Board’s unanimous approval on April 16 means the program will be in place and be part of the TTC’s comprehensive FIFA World Cup 2026tm safety and security plans.”

“The evidence from peer organizations from around the world is compelling; body-worn cameras are an effective and efficient way to protect our employees,” said TTC CEO Mandeep S. Lali. “It’s extremely important that we utilize proven worldwide technology to further enhance safety for station staff as we’ve seen an increase in offences against this group in recent months and that cannot be allowed to continue.”

In keeping with existing TTC policies, the cameras will be highly visible and activated only in situations beyond standard customer interactions, such as safety or security incidents, during wellness checks, or when a customer requests that an interaction be recorded.

Body-worn Camera recordings are retained in accordance with the TTC Records and Retention Schedule, which can be found at https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/municode/toronto-code-219-d.pdf

 

[Mihairokov]

Some TTC stations staff now equipped with body-worn cameras in move to improve safety on transit

Anecdotally I was at King Station last week and saw some man interacting with TTC staff at the station level pointing a phone in the staff's face to record the whole thing. Seemed insufferable.