The TTC thread

CANADIEN · January 27, 2012

The mayor. Do try and keep up.

Further... has anyone ever suggested that the Crosstown LRT be above ground all the way? I don't think so

CANADIEN · January 27, 2012

One more thought. How do we provide for transit services that meet the needs of the residents of north-west Toronto? Sure, a finch rapid transit (busway or LRT) would help carry commuters along the Finch corridor, and link to the University subway line (which will not be as congested as the Yonge line for a long time, even after the expension is completed). A Jane LRT would help as well. Will it be enough. I'll admit i do not know that area enough to say yes or no. Any thought?

Edited January 27, 2012 by CANADIEN

mentalfloss · January 28, 2012

Far more support for Stintz’s transit plan than Rob Ford’s

There is much stronger city council support for TTC Chair Karen Stintz’s transit plan than for Mayor Rob Ford’s blueprint for subway-based expansion, a survey of councillors shows.

There are 45 members of council. Eighteen councillors have expressed support for Stintz’s plan or something like it. Nine are undecided. Only eight councillors, plus the mayor, have said they want to stick with the current plan.

http://www.thestar.com/article/1122494--mayor-rob-ford-misrepresenting-rail-research-says-environmental-think-tank

cybercoma · January 30, 2012

A report by a respected Toronto law firm says Mayor Rob Ford exceeded his legal authority when he cancelled Transit City without city council approval

“Under the City of Toronto Act, the power of the city resides in City Council. The Mayor of Toronto has very little independent authority beyond his role as head of City Council. Unless specific power is delegated to him, the mayor does not have the authority to speak for the city independently,” wrote the lawyers, from Cavalluzzo, Hayes, Shilton, McIntyre & Cornish.

Edited January 30, 2012 by cybercoma

mentalfloss · January 30, 2012

Was just about to post that.

I can't believe how much dirt has accumulated on this douche and there are still no real changes being proposed.

Michael Hardner · January 30, 2012

I can't believe how much dirt has accumulated on this douche and there are still no real changes being proposed.

Mentalfloss - watch the insults please.

mentalfloss · January 30, 2012

I didn't know it was that offensive, but I'll play nice then.

guyser · January 30, 2012

I can't believe how much dirt has accumulated on this douche

Come on now, it is a rather large canvas !

The_Squid · January 30, 2012

Sounds like the Mayor of T.O. thinks he is the King of T.O.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2012/01/29/toronto-transit-city-legal-opinion.html

“And the legal opinion, which is very clear, says that we do not have a strong mayor system, the mayor does not have that executive power, and that he has to take it to Council for a vote.”
He said the mayor is obligated to bring his amended transit plan before City Council, which must approve it if it is to go forward.

mentalfloss · January 31, 2012

Sounds like the Mayor of T.O. thinks he is the King of T.O.

Some news outlets are actually downgrading his title now, calling him simply a councillor of T.O. - which admittedly, he is one of the councillors, but seems like he has as much power as Karen Stintz at this point.

Black Dog · January 31, 2012

I can't figure out why Ford is making such a big show of digging his heels in on this. Either he's fundamentally incapable of compromise, or he's got some personal interest in ensuring his plan goes through that's beyond politics.

cybercoma · January 31, 2012

He just named a new Press Secretary. Worst. Job. Ever.

Black Dog · January 31, 2012

He just named a new Press Secretary. Worst. Job. Ever.

Oh I dunno. Ford talks to like two media outlets and sticks to his key messages constantly. Seems like an easy gig.

cybercoma · January 31, 2012

Oh I dunno. Ford talks to like two media outlets and sticks to his key messages constantly. Seems like an easy gig.

Would you want to earn a paycheck putting lipstick on a pig day in and day out?

guyser · January 31, 2012

Would you want to earn a paycheck putting lipstick on a pig day in and day out?

How much $$$ we talking about? It be a lot, cuz if I have to touch Fords lips, it better be.

Oh...you meant a real four legged one? Meh

Charles Anthony · January 31, 2012

Sorry about the delay in responding.

I have one: where does it say that in the rules?

The first line: BE POLITE AND RESPECT OTHERS

There's rules against insults, but the rules and guidelines are silent on profanity qua profanity.

Rules do not need to be qua anything.

If the rules seem silent, I suggest reading the rules out loud next time.

Shady · January 31, 2012

Sorry about the delay in responding.

Charles, perhaps you should close this thread. I think this is the second time you've had to step in and properly remind people of the rules of the forum. They don't seem to learn. I'm not sure why the TTC has become such a devisive topic, but for whatever reasons, it has.

cybercoma · February 1, 2012

You need to read this to believe it. Ford has now tried to overthrow Stintz, staging a "coup" according to this article.

http://torontoist.com/2012/01/ford-attempts-coup-to-stall-debate-on-transit-city/

cybercoma · February 1, 2012

Seriously though.... this is how bad it has gotten:

Some councillors are now talking openly of calling a special meeting of council; they need a majority of councillors to agree in order to convene one, but the mayor’s approval is not required. The agenda for such a meeting would be set by those who call for it, not throttled by the mayor’s cronies at Executive Committee (who often keep items they don’t like off the agenda for regular council meetings). This would allow for a discussion of transit alternatives, disposition of the MoU, and many other actions such as reconstituting the TTC with a better balanced group of councillors. Council could even amend its own bylaws to strip Ford of his power to control standing committee and Executive Committee appointments. These are powers council granted, and council can take them away.
http://torontoist.com/2012/01/ford-attempts-coup-to-stall-debate-on-transit-city/

CPCFTW · February 1, 2012

Good. He's the mayor and he doesn't need some overzealous TTC chair around that is trying to embarrass him by proposing a slightly modified version of the Transit City plan he vowed to kill in his election platform.

CANADIEN · February 1, 2012

Good. He's the mayor and he doesn't need some overzealous TTC chair around that is trying to embarrass him by proposing a slightly modified version of the Transit City plan he vowed to kill in his election platform.

What Toronto needs is a mayor who accepts an idea (running the Eglinton LRT line above ground where that makes sense) that would free money for transit improvements in areas that are in dire need for them (Finch West) and even for an extension on his beloved Sheppard East Subway line (you know, the extension that is to be built using private financing that is not coming).

If mayor Ford was not so obviously stubborn to the point of blindness, he would see that karen Stintz's proposal actually makes his Eglinton LRT/Sheppard subway extension plan BETTER. He would realize it gives him the opportunity to extend the Sheppard East subway line. And allows him to be seen as the mayor who brings transit improvements on Finch. And makes him look like a Mayor who knows how to compromise when needed for the good of Torontonians.

Instead, he chooses to let his stubborness and pride cloud his judgement and reject an idea that would be a win-win situation. Oh well, perhaps City council should just shut up and let him go ahead with his plan - including relying on private financing for his extension to the Sheppard East subway line. Then, of course, HE is be the one who will have to explain why there is no extension forthcoming to the Sheppard East subway line when he runs in the next election.

Edited February 1, 2012 by CANADIEN

Michael Hardner · February 1, 2012

What Toronto needs is a mayor who accepts an idea (running the Eglinton LRT line above ground where that makes sense) that would free money for transit improvements in areas that are in dire need for them (Finch West) and even for an extension on his beloved Sheppard East Subway line (you know, the extension that is to be built using private financing that is not coming).

What the city needs to do is remove transit planning and development from the political realm entirely. Metrolinx seems like a better agency to achieve this - they are essentially faceless and have ongoing planning as part of their mandate.

We need to move forward now, as the problem with transit will soon become unmanageable.

Black Dog · February 1, 2012

Good. He's the mayor and he doesn't need some overzealous TTC chair around that is trying to embarrass him by proposing a slightly modified version of the Transit City plan he vowed to kill in his election platform.

Obvious troll is obvious.

mentalfloss · February 1, 2012

I'm not sure if this is directly related to Stintz's plan, but councillors (including councillor rob ford) voted against a report which would reveal more information about the pros and cons of an Eglington crosstown line.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2012/02/01/toronto-stintz-ttc.html

For those of you who don't mind a clearly slanted take on this, you can check out this opinion piece about Stintz's reaction here. Bonus video footage of Sue Ann Levy shilling included.

Edited February 1, 2012 by mentalfloss

Michael Hardner · February 1, 2012

I'm not sure if this is directly related to Stintz's plan, but councillors (including councillor rob ford) voted against a report which would reveal more information about the pros and cons of an Eglington crosstown line.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2012/02/01/toronto-stintz-ttc.html

For those of you who don't mind a clearly slanted take on this, you can check out this opinion piece about Stintz's reaction here. Bonus video footage of Sue Ann Levy shilling included.

Every mini-controversy and political chess move prolongs the problem that Torontoians are facing.