The Missing Pieces in Toronto’s Waterfront Transit Network

Toronto's waterfront is among the biggest urban transformations in North America, but these plans will be stifled if high-capacity transit isn't provided soon. And it needs to go even further, with a network of routes connecting to the city & region.

Map Data © OpenStreetMap contributors

[roadrollerdio]

It's frustrating how the transit establishment in Toronto seem to consistently make baffling decisions for no good reason when smarter choices are blatantly obvious. The overemphasis on Union station as a unique hub to the detriment of transit along the entire waterfront is disappointing.

I know this video is about the new reclaimed island but even on the western waterfront... I used to put off visiting my friend near Parkdale because of the lack of higher order transit.

[Fenthule]

It's soo incredibly frustrating how in NA mass transit is a literal afterthought in many cases, when the truth of the matter is if the transit it built among the first things laid into a new area, that ALONE will attract a ton of people to want to live and work nearby it. Our governments unfortunately still seem to cater to the car industries when more and more people would prefer to do away with them entirely. Roads are literally the first things built, yet mass transit goes in AFTER the location is built up, increasing costs and complexity? It's completely backwards. Building a rail system in blank land quick and cheap, and then designing the buildings around IT should be the thought process. -.-

[GreySlick]

It is great to see Reece being sponsored by the BIA to advocate for what the neighborhood needs!

[katrinabryce]

Toronto Waterfront looks to me to be a bit like London Docklands.
The difference there is that the Docklands Light Railway was built first, and everything else was built around it.
When I first rode on in shortly after opening, I was riding through a giant building site. At Canada Square, it runs through the middle of a couple of buildings, they were there, but most of the other buildings weren't.

[anthonysaunders]

The transit plan should also continue to the Beaches and southern Scarborough, which have been brutally isolated and underserved for decades.

[Fanw]

Thank you Reece for an excellent presentation. Although the video is focused on a specific area of Toronto, there are two conclusions I draw from it which are applicable worldwide.
Firstly, when developing a new area build the new transit provisions at the same time as or (preferably) ahead of the buildings where people are going to live, work or study.
Secondly, the new transit provisions need to be carefully integrated both with each other and with the existing systems,

[CaptArgo]

As someone who goes to George Brown down by the waterfront, it's easier to walk the 10 minutes to Union than take the bus. BUS ARE PACKED

[mdhazeldine]

Toronto just needs a wholistic, integrated, multi-modal plan. It needs a TFL of sorts, that can create a master plan. I definitely agree with Reece that lessening the reliance on Union is a good thing. Toronto is too Union-centric. Opening a tram line along the waterfront all the way to the east would be a great thing, even if it doesn't go to Union straight away. It's really not a long walk between the two. In fact, I don't know why they are bothering with tram tunnels. Just turn Bay St into a "transit mall" and send trams at street level between downtown and the waterfront, running past Union and the Scotia Bank Arena and saving tons of money digging underground. I know it gets cold in winter, but if you have lots of trams going past and stopping under the Go tracks outside the entrance, it's not going to matter. And it wouldn't kill the area to lose 2 lanes of one street to trams.

[snaggy]

I would love to hear an interview format episode or two, with planners and engineers. I would enjoy hearing answers to questions like "Why didn't we build the transit line earlier?" At least, from those who were in the room.

[samprimrose]

Great fun seeing my neighbourhood depicted in a video. Spotted my condo building in several shots, the wonderful new Unity Fitness gym, and my favourite local cafe Lazy Barista. The waterfront is turning into a great neighbourhood and is going to become a major residential area but it definitely feels like transit has been overlooked for the amount of development going on. Extending the Queens Quay streetcar lines east from Bay Street to the Port Lands seems like an obvious and easy win. No need to wait for any fancy tunneling projects.

[KyrilPG]

Brilliant!
I hope that you made sure that the TTC and deciders are aware of your proposed plans, they're great.
The Cherry station seems a must.
Great video as always.

[stoddard]

Great video! It's a shame the city still has these holes in transit. Surely, this all could've been done at once instead of having to do bit by bit, then having to work around obstacles!

[kylecredo]

I second this. Please keep creating these videos to help enlightening the public. Toronto needs to really think about its transit and how to implement it into the city. I feel like the lack of thought and focus on “saving money” has cost us in the long run with the Eglingtin cross town and its multiple contractors… love these recommendations and hope the higher ups take notice!

[proposmontreal]

Reminds of Griffintown where they built then realise it was missing a few things, like transit. The REM is suppose to open a station or two eventually, this will help.
Great take on it Reece!

[stickynorth]

Only Toronto would approve a massive waterfront development without proper transit connections...

[vap]

This is brilliant! You always amaze me and this one is no different.

[krysc]

Project like what you're proposing is why I'm all for orgs like translink. 1 organization that's running everything, then you don't need to have TTC, metrolinx, etc on board with rolling out inter-connectivity between system.

Where i have issues with translink is in instances like the City of Vancouver trying to get an LRT/streetcar loop or 2 up and running and translinks saying nah. :|

[Aviation]

The Portlands in Toronto, use to have a large network of industrial railroad tracks, most of them were ripped out, but there is track that is still there, in the southern portlands, Toronto can just bye some light rail vehicles that can fit on that gauge. Toronto is just missing out on this great opportunity for light rail. Plus, the track runs along what will be future development. Instead of just ripping out the railroad track and then building in a new one for Street cars, just use the remaining infrastructure for the light rail. This light rail line can be one of the most highly used in all of Canada. In Toronto is just missing out on it. Plus the line goes right beside Cherry beach there can be a station there at Cherry Road. I think you should put this railroad line into consideration RM transit.
Please respond.

[tylerhergott]

I wish Reece had the FINAL say about all transit in the GTA

[youkeylaylee]

This is needed !!! WE NEED THIS ! Thanks Reese for this video, Reese for Mayor!