PLEASE ACT NOW!!!

Write to the Governance Committee before the meeting on Monday, May 12,
 
The Shuttle that was approved in May 2023 is finally coming to committee and then Council. However, it is very similar to the current train. The nearest stop from the Parkside entrance is down near the duckpond by Jamie Bell Playground, which is a long way for people with mobility issues, young families and the elderly to reach. During the stakeholder consultation it was suggested to add two extra stops than those being proposed at the Grenadier Restaurant and The Queensway. One would be at the Children’s Teaching Garden and one at Colborne Lodge. Only the Teaching Kitchen is being proposed so those visiting Colborne lodge will be driven right past the front door and down the steep hill to The Queensway. It is a long steep climb up to Colborne Lodge for those with a disability, young families with strollers or elderly who may find it difficult if not impossible.
 
The public were told staff were exploring low fare or a free shuttle. The fare structure being proposed is about a dollar more per rider. So the estimated cost of a family of four with young children would be $30, this is after you have either paid to get to the park by TTC or you have paid for street parking. If you add Grandma and Grandpa at the senior rate add another $14 so $44 to be able to access some of the park depending on the time of year. There is a mention of a Family Pass but no cost is mentioned. The proposal also states “The tickets are valid for a minimum of four hours, but no explanation of how this will work.
 
The city talks about a 15 minutes wait and yet this will not be implemented until 2028. There will only be one vehicle in 2026 so it will still be a 30-minute wait if not longer if the ticket is valid for 4 hours as people get on and off.
 
Will this shuttle run when it is raining? Right now, it does not, which leaves people stranded within the park, often with a very long walk out which for many is very difficult.
 
This proposal is a sole source with options for the company to operate shuttles in other Toronto parks.
 
We ask that you email the Councillors on the Governance Committee before the meeting on Monday, May 12, mention item GG21.9, Carla Construction and Maintenance Ltd. For Operation and Maintenance of a Passenger Transportation Shuttle Service for High Park and other Potential Parks and voice your concerns and ask questions:
 
- Why is the shuttle not picking up from the 2 subway stations?
- Why is the cost going up?
- Why is there no stop at Colborne Lodge?
- Why will there not be full 15-minute service until 2028?
- Will it run when raining unlike the one now?
- Why is this a sole source agreement which also allows for inclusion of other parks?
 
City Clerk ggc@toronto.ca
Chair Councillor Paul Ainslie Councillor_Ainslie@Toronto.ca
Vice Chair Councillor Stephen Holyday Councillor_Holyday@Toronto.ca
Councillor Jon Burnside Councillor_Burnside@Toronto.ca
Councillor Lily Cheng Councillor_Cheng@Toronto.ca
Councillor Michael Thompson Councillor_Thompson@Toronto.ca
Mayor Olivia Chow Mayor_Chow@Toronto.ca
  

THANK YOU>>>>