Bike Share to the rescue (thank you for making that option more dangerous Doug! there is no winning only losing). Though took a while to find a free dock at U of T at 10AM.
One thing about Bike Share, the ebikes are listed as present, but 90% of time they are dead. Need to fix that.
The TTC is such crap, and the thing is, so is driving, but at the very least, you know you might be able to take some side streets to avoid traffic. But if you're on a stalled subway, you have no options whatsoever.
I really want to know how much of what we are upset about is self sustaining. People drive because transit is unreliable. Transit is unreliable because people drive. I am not having trouble with surface transit because of mechanical issues. It's being stuck in traffic or detours due to collisions.
All of which is to say that no matter who manages the TTC it will not get better without changes that improve car traffic or move it out of the way of transit b
Exactly. This is why I get frustrated with the simplistic. "The TTC sucks" or "Management sucks". At least for surface transit. The biggest issue is well beyond their control.
Streetcars are often blocked by cars (making illegal left turns without repercussions). The streetcars on St Clair are quite reliable during rush hour.
As someone born and raised in the old City of Toronto, I think it's partially the influx of gentrfying Suburbanites and those raised in small towns who won't give up their cars and think they need to drive everywhere.
We've lived in the "Bloordale" area since the early 90's and it's only when the neighbourhood became gentrified (and... um, named Bloordale) that traffic became a nightmare.
Used to work location in Liberty Village. Commute from Scarborough home via public transit 1.5+ hours each way, often not possible for very early morning nor late night, involved 15-20 min walk as no stops nearby. Could drive it in under 20 minutes. Now traffic there is insane, transit still same. 🤬
TTC / GO unreliable. Bike would be 1.5 hours each way, not practical in bad weather, winter, nor feasible when required to tote heavy equipment back & forth. Nevermind riding a bike in most of City is asking for death / dismemberment. Walking would be 4.5 hours each way. I do not work there anymore.
Money, and money and a culture shift. The TTC cannot run the services required to satisfy demand and capture everyone whose life would be easier as transit users. And the TTC’s corporate response has been to redefine service standards as “what we’re already doing”.
Yeah, being on Line 1 (or by a GO station) works out well enough. But my not from Toronto partner's experience with TTC has been so unreliable that she's totally lost faith in the system. Which is sad, given that we're transit enthusiasts. Can only imagine how other riders feel about it.
My area! I usually bike into work (don’t tell Doug about the Dundas/River/Shuter lane) but had to TTC recently. Brutal every single time. It’s faster to get to Bloor and Christie via bus/subway from my place than Yonge and Dundas via street car. Bananas.
Comments
One thing about Bike Share, the ebikes are listed as present, but 90% of time they are dead. Need to fix that.
One guy parked outside Tim Hortons ruins the commute for everyone
It's why I've given up on the TTC and am moving back downtown. A quick 3.9 kilometer commute down Queen Street is just too much to ask.
but i do miss being on jarvis in rocketing around to wherever on the subway