Toronto – Councillor Josh Matlow and TTC Chair Jamaal Myers are bringing forward a motion that requests the TTC to create an action plan to address mechanical service disruptions, such as fluid leaks and signal failures that have been plaguing the system.
The first weeks of April saw several major service disruptions on the TTC, including hydraulic fluid leaks on April 8th and 10th, and signal failures impacting service on April 9th. Each of these incidents led to prolonged subway closures, the dispatch of shuttle busses, and major delays for Torontonians trying to get to work, school, or appointments on time.
These delays are unacceptable and cannot become the new normal. Transit needs to be fast and reliable for it to truly be the better way. Right now, transit riders use the TTC with the expectation that their daily commute will be impacted by a delay. Torontonians deserves better.
Mechanical failures are the second largest cause of service disruptions, often due to aging infrastructure and delayed capital investments over many years. The TTC’s long term capital plan has unfunded needs of $37 billion, meaning many important priorities remain unfunded. The TTC urgently needs to identify any required capital investments to the TTC’s assets and infrastructure which will reduce the frequency of delays caused by mechanical failures such as hydraulic fluid leaks.
This motion requests the TTC to create an action plan to reduce disruptions from mechanical failures. If there are key investment priorities required through future budget processes, these need to be clearly and transparently communicated so that the Board and Council can prioritize these investments and advocate to higher levels of government for long-term, sustainable funding. The status quo of daily delays impacting customers cannot continue.
Councillor Matlow will be available for comment prior to the TTC Board meeting tomorrow morning at A Street Reception.
Four months after Doug Ford announced his intention to bring jets to Billy Bishop Airport, the Federal Government published a letter on July 24 stating they would not be supporting the project at this time.
And Carney’s Liberals made some important commitments: they will not pursue any plans that infringe on public spaces such as Little Norway Park or Hanlan’s Point Beach, result in elevated noise, have significant environmental impacts, or hinder Toronto’s ability to build much-needed new housing such as in planned neighbourhoods like Ookwemin Minising.
This was a big victory that was achieved by tens of thousands of Torontonians who made it clear that Doug Ford’s voice isn’t the only one that matters. However, while we celebrate this win, we must also read Ottawa’s letter with sober eyes. It wasn’t an announcement that an expansion will never happen — it was meant to set the grounds for a conversation. We must prepare for what’s next.