AUGUST 25, 2006: THE SCARBOROUGH MIRROR

Although they had unanimously called for a new subway line to replace the Scarborough RT, the majority of local councillors now agree the best short-term option for improving service along the route is an investment in the existing technology.

An independent consultant is recommending the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) invest $360 million to upgrade the current system rather than expanding the Bloor-Danforth subway line.

And, the majority of Scarborough councillors, who met Friday morning in an effort to hammer out a position paper on the issue, say they agree.

"What we're saying is we can agree to the newer generation of the RT vehicles, but you know what? We want to have $1.2 billion spent in Scarborough to expand the service," said Ward 37 Councillor Michael Thompson (Scarborough Centre), explaining that's how much it would have cost to build a subway here.

Thompson, who chairs Scarborough Community Council, is preparing a submission on behalf of his colleagues, which will be presented to the TTC Wednesday.

"The position we have taken is that we wanted a subway, we have looked at the realistic aspects of getting that subway and we recognize that even with a subway to Scarborough Town Centre, it still wouldn't solve the problems of transit in Scarborough," he said.

TTC Commissioner and Ward 38 Councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker (Scarborough Centre) reported that his colleagues have agreed to support the consultant's recommendation for the RT line.

"We're saying yes, but that's not enough," De Baeremaeker said, noting that councillors also want the TTC to recognize the need to extend the Sheppard subway all the way to the Scarborough Town Centre and the need for a broader network of LRT routes throughout the community.

"We want the TTC to accept the proposition that we're going to get an increased level of service in Scarborough," he said, adding that councillors still hope the Bloor-Danforth line will eventually be extended.

The Scarborough RT Strategic Plan report, written by transportation expert Richard Soberman, goes before the TTC Wednesday.

The report - which examined the possibility of expanding the streetcar system and extending the Bloor-Danforth subway as options for replacing the RT line - states that upgrading the Scarborough RT line, at a cost of $360 million, is the best option for improving service and accommodating future ridership growth.

When it comes down to it, it just isn't practical to build a subway, said Ward 36 Councillor Brian Ashton (Scarborough Southwest).

"We would have to go under Brimley Road with one stop at Lawrence Avenue, it would be a commuter line," he said, explaining that the number of stations would be reduced to two from the current five on the RT line.

"It didn't make sense," Ashton said.

In addition to upgrading the RT line, the consultant's report also recommends the TTC undertake a study to consider the potential of expanding service on routes throughout Scarborough, including the extension of the Scarborough RT line to Sheppard Avenue and other possible corridors; the implementation of bus rapid transit or streetcar-based LRT lines on Kingston Road, Danforth Avenue, Eglinton Avenue, Sheppard Avenue, Markham Road and the Finch Hydro corridor; and the staged construction of the Sheppard subway east from Don Mills Station.

"They haven't eliminated subways altogether," Ward 40 Councillor Norm Kelly (Scarborough Agincourt) said.

Kelly supported the proposed extension of the Bloor-Danforth line as a replacement to the Scarborough RT, but said: "I wasn't as enthusiastic about it as I was about the completion of the Sheppard line."

Kelly continued, "I am pleased the TTC plan confirms the need for the completion of the Sheppard subway line, I am absolutely delighted with that."

Meanwhile, Ward 39 Councillor Mike Del Grande (Scarborough Agincourt) said he's hopeful all 10 Scarborough councillors will endorse the call for improved transit service and "do what's right for Scarborough".

"I think we all recognized Scarborough is getting the short shrift when it comes to anything and everything," Del Grande said Friday, adding that his colleagues also recognize there is only so much money and that holding their breath waiting for a subway might not be the best plan.

"I think what we're saying is, while we understand, we're not happy with the state of events," he said.

"We need to have a better transit infrastructure in Scarborough," he said, adding that includes the completion of the Sheppard line, improvements to the RT and co-ordination with transit in Pickering and Markham.

"We all felt Scarborough deserves a subway but at the same time we're being realistic," Del Grande said, adding, "the reality is this line is going to be obsolete shortly so we've got to do something."

Upgrading the RT line is expected to cost $190 million, while replacing the existing fleet of RT vehicles would cost about $170 million.

Upgrades to the line would require that service be disrupted for up to eight months.