The price tag for the One-Stop Extension to Scarborough has skyrocketed. Up $900 million to $3.16B. But ridership predictions have dropped to 7300 peak/hour - half the original estimate (9,500 - 14,000) used to justify extending the Bloor/Danforth line 6km to Scarborough. Worse, it will only be within walking distance of 3,500 residents.

In light of this new information, Council should cancel the Scarborough Subway Extension and go back to building the provincially funded, seven-stop Scarborough LRT.

BUILD THE CROSSTOWN EAST LRT NOW

Toronto Council should approve the 17-stop Crosstown East LRT. It is a crucial part of a rapid transit network that would bring fast, convenient TTC service to four of  Scarborough’s Neighbourhood Improvement Areas, as well as Centennial College Morningside and U of T Scarborough campus. It will be within walking distance of 50,000 residents.

The 17-stop Crosstown East LRT is shovel ready. The environmental assessments have been completed and the TTC could start construction in 2017 and have it up and running  by 2021.

BUILD THE SHEPPARD EAST LRT TO MALVERN BEFORE 2025

Toronto Council should push the province to make the Sheppard East LRT a priority project. Residents of NE Scarborough have already waited too long for rapid transit to come to Malvern. The Sheppard East LRT will bring rapid transit to three of  Scarborough’s Neighbourhood Improvement Areas and be within walking distance for 45,000 residents. The provincially funded Sheppard East LRT should be built before 2025.

An LRT network, including the Scarborough, Crosstown East and Sheppard East  LRTs, is still the best plan for Scarborough transit riders. It will bring rapid transit to where it is needed most (see map) and be within walking distance of 125, 000 residents, connecting them to downtown, Scarborough Town Centre, Malvern Town Centre and our college and university campuses.