September 1, 1998
To:Chairman and Membership of the Scarborough Community Council
From:Gary Welsh, Director, Transportation Services, Works and Emergency Services,
District 4 (Scarborough)
Subject:District 4 (Scarborough) 1998 Bus Passenger Shelter Installation Program
All Scarborough Wards
Purpose:
To establish the District 4 (Scarborough) 1998 New Bus Passenger Shelter Installation
Program, consisting of 15 new bus passenger shelters at existing Toronto Transit
Commission (TTC) bus stops.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
No financial implication, since under the 1997 terms of the bus shelter advertising
agreement between the former City of Scarborough and bus shelter advertising contractor,
Mediacom Inc., these 15 new shelters are to be supplied, installed, and maintained by the
contractor at no cost to the City.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that the new bus passenger shelter locations identified in Appendix 1 of
this report be adopted.
Council Reference/Background/History:
The purpose of this report is to reinstate the suspended "Annual Bus Passenger Installation
Program". The program was suspended in 1996 when the former City of Scarborough began
to consider bus shelter advertising. Prior to 1996, the former City of Scarborough, Road &
Traffic Division would install 25 new bus passenger shelters at established T.T.C. bus stops
annually.
The selection of these locations was based on the criteria adopted by the previous City of
Scarborough Council in 1982. This process was;
1.Staff proposing 25 prospective locations, and five alternative selections, using annual
ridershipinformation supplied by the Toronto Transit Commission.
2.Soliciting public comments from adjacent homeowners via registered mail.
3.Submitting a staff report complete with public comments to the former Scarborough
Works and Environment Committee for consideration, resulting in the selection of 25 new
bus passenger shelter installations.
In 1997, the former City of Scarborough, entered into an agreement with Mediacom Inc..
The purpose of this agreement was to select a specific number of existing bus passenger
shelters to contain advertising panels. The City would in turn receive financial benefits as
well as maintenance including vandalism costs, of all existing shelters. Also, as part of the
agreement, Mediacom would install a specific number of new bus passenger shelters per
year through the term of the agreement. In this current year 1998, 15 new bus passenger
shelters will be installed at existing T.T.C. bus stops. The funding and the maintenance of
these shelters will be the responsibility of Mediacom Inc. We would also note that the City
would retain ownership of all bus shelters.
Based on the current approved criteria adopted by the former City of Scarborough in 1982,
Transportation Services has identified 15 locations, plus 5 alternative locations, that warrant
a bus passenger shelter. These locations meet the requirements as specified in the criteria
and in descending order and represent the bus stops having the highest "Total Point Values".
The supply, installation, maintenance, and funding of these bus passenger shelters, will be
the responsibility of Mediacom Inc. as per the 1997 bus shelter advertising agreement
between the City and Mediacom Inc.
Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:
The attached Appendix 1, "WARRANTED LOCATIONS", lists 15 prospective locations,
and five alternative selections, for consideration. The locations are ranked in descending
order of the highest "Total Point Value". The "Total Point Value" is the summed value of
the factors based on the WARRANTS FOR BUS SHELTER EVALUATION criteria. The
factors included in the evaluation are:
1)Daily On-Passenger Usage
2)Waiting Times
3)Service Area
4)Exposure to weather
Additional information related to the bus passenger shelter evaluation criteria has been
included in the example criteria page attached to this report. A list of 5 alternative locations
have also been provided, in the event that Council requires changes. The location for the bus
shelters were chosen in an attempt to minimize the impact on the adjacent properties as
much as possible. All of the proposed bus passenger shelters are located on the boulevards
of the public road allowance. No encroachments onto private properties are required.
Public Response - Objections
Registered letters were sent to each of the adjoining property owners to solicit their
comments. Accompanying the letters was a sketch of the proposed bus passenger shelter in
relation to their property. We received written objections from five property owners, and a
verbal objection from one. Two of these objections are in the top 15 locations, and four on
the alternative list. The locations and objections are as follows, listed in descending order of
priority ranking.
Location #12, Meadowvale Road and Muirbank Boulevard - west side
Scarborough Highland Creek, Ward 16
We received an objection from Nizar N. Mahomed, 738 Meadowvale Road. Mr. Mahomed
has several concerns which we have listed followed by our staff comments.
Safety exiting from driveway as the shelter may impede sight lines
The currently approved style of bus shelters installed by our division are assembled with see
through glass panels on all sides, from the ground to the roof. Although some locations have
had an advertising panel affixed to one end of the shelter, it is unlikely that this location
would not be considered for retrofit of an advertising panel.
Shelter may further encourage more mid-block crossings by pedestrians
Currently, there are no traffic signals or pedestrian crossovers at this intersection. We agree,
that it would be safer for pedestrians to cross at the traffic signals further south at Ellesmere
Road. However, the T.T.C. established bus stops in an effort to better serve the respective
community. Due to public demand, bus stops are placed along arterial roadways at intervals
in an effort to service patrons that live on the bus route, as well as, patrons that are located
off-street within the surrounding areas. It would appear that people exercise caution in
crossing these roadways. A review of the accident history for the past three years for the
intersection of Meadowvale Road and Muirbank Boulevard, for which we have all collision
reports, reveals no reported pedestrian related collisions.
Questioned the need for a bus shelter and wanted an explanation of the criteria used to select
bus passenger shelter locations
The selection of potential bus shelter locations is based on the Council adopted criteria. The
criteria initially reviews the daily on-passenger usage of all existing T.T.C. bus stops within
the Scarborough district. Locations having less than 50 on-passengers/day are eliminated
from further evaluations. The factor of 50 was established to give precedence to locations
having a higher usage.
Those locations with 50 or more on-passengers/day are then assigned point values for the
passenger usage; peak hour waiting times; off-peak hour waiting times; type of area being
served; and exposure to weather conditions. In descending order of "Total Point Value" the
list of potential locations is reviewed further for available boulevard space; lighting; sight
lines; and potential hazard for waiting women or children. The final list of potential
locations is then individually reviewed on site. The location of the bus shelter is marked on
the drawing and a letter, with a copy of the drawing, is sent to the adjacent property owners
for their comments. After a reasonable waiting period (at least one month), staff prepares a
report to the Community Council recommending and identifying the locations of potential
bus shelter installations.
Shelter may encourage people to stand on driveway and may cause loitering and vandalism
to his property.
It is difficult to predict where people will stand when waiting for a bus. Generally it is in the
area of where the front doors of a bus would be when it stops. We have observed that when
a bus shelter is installed, people wait in the shelter for shade or comfort; lean on the front
panels; or sit inside if a bench has been installed. Therefore, if this location is approved by
Council we could arrange for a bench to be installed inside the unit.
Shelter may increase litter
The problems associated with T.T.C. patrons and littering, can be addressed to our
Sanitation division. We have been advised that litter containers at T.T.C. bus stops are
emptied once a week. There may be occasions where it may be necessary to empty a
container before the regular scheduled period. Residents may phone the inquiry line at
396-7372 in the event that a special litter pick-up is required.
Shelter may decrease property value of his property
It is difficult for us to determine the effects of property values due to the installation of a bus
passenger shelter adjacent to a residential property. Some residents support the installation
of a bus passenger shelter, as members of their families are current T.T.C. patrons. The use
of the transit system reduces costs associated with operating a private vehicle, such as fuel;
insurance; parking; and depreciation. A bus passenger shelter also resolves problems such as
people standing on porches; sitting on stairs; or leaning on cars, by supplying protection
from the elements in the direct vicinity of the bus stop.
Location # 13, Highview Avenue and Anneke Road - southwest corner Scarborough Bluffs,
Ward 13
We received an objection from Orsola Mele, 117 Highview Avenue on July 29, 1998 . Her
objection to the installation of a bus passenger shelter is based on the following concerns;
damage to their fence; damage to vehicle parked in their driveway; school children sitting on
her fence; and litter. Ms. Mele would prefer that the bus stop be relocated, however,
investigations conducted by T.T.C. staff has indicated that this is the most suitable location
in the area for the bus stop. Due to the position of the westbound bus stop, the pedestrian
crossover location, and the public school, a near side eastbound bus stop would create a
unsafe and dangerous situation for small children using the pedestrian crossover.
The objections of the property owner were supported from 1991 to 1996 by the former Ward
Councillor Harvey Barron. Although the on-passenger usage and other factors have
established this location as a potential bus passenger shelter location, it was not chosen
because of continued opposition from the adjacent home owner and the support of the ward
councillor.
Location #A1, Victoria Park Avenue and Conroy Avenue - southeast corner
Scarborough Bluffs, Ward 13
We have received a verbal objection from the home owner at 927 Victoria Park Avenue. He
is objecting to the fact that there are two postal containers presently located in front of his
property, he does not want the addition of a bus passenger shelter.
The present location of the bus stop was in position prior of the construction of the house at
927 Victoria Park Avenue. The prior owner of the property, 923 Victoria Park Avenue, had
fenced the boulevard adjacent to Victoria Park Avenue out to the public sidewalk.
Therefore, Canada Post was limited in choosing to position for their mail boxes. Our staff
has received support from the Post Office in the past and could have these boxes relocated
prior to the installation of the bus shelter.
Location #A3, Victoria Park Avenue and Swanwick Avenue - southeast corner
Scarborough Bluffs, Ward 13
An objection from Mr. Fred W. Green, 335 Victoria Park Avenue was received by fax on
July 3, 1998. Following July 3, 1998, staff have been advised by the T.T.C. that the location
of this bus stop is scheduled to be relocated further south. A pedestrian crossover has been
installed on the south side of the intersection of Victoria Park Avenue and Swanwick
Avenue, which places the existing bus stop too near to the crossing area. Therefore, this
location can not be considered as an alternative location until a suitable relocation has been
determined.
Location #A4, Lawrence Avenue and Tower Drive - northeast corner
Scarborough Wexford - Ward 14
We received an objection from Living Properties Inc. on July 3, 1998, the managing agent
for the plaza located at 1960 Lawrence Avenue. Their objection is that the proposed bus
passenger shelter may block exposure to the plaza. They agree that a bus shelter is a good
idea, however, they have requested that staff consider an alternative site. Staff have tried on
several occasions to contact Mr. Gordon Cheung, Assistant Property Manager, in an effort to
resolve this matter. We were unable to talk to Mr. Cheung to inform him that a suitable
alternative location is not available.
Location #A5, Victoria Park Avenue and Bassett Avenue - southeast corner
Scarborough Bluffs - Ward 13
We have received an objection from Anna Ranalli, 1311 Victoria Park Avenue. Ms. Ranalli
objects to the TTC bus stop being in front of her property and believes that it contributes to
excessive noise. Her further concern is that the proposed bus passenger shelter may increase
the noise level. She stated in her objection that she is retired and that she has health
problems. She requests that the bus stop either be relocated or removed.
Relocating the stop would simply place the stop in front of a neighbours property and result
in additional interruptions to the traffic flow on Victoria Park Avenue. The current bus stop
is located immediately south of the traffic signals at the intersection. The T.T.C. have
verbally remarked that a relocation is unwarranted and would not be considered further.
Additional Public Requests
During the last two years, staff have received many requests for new bus shelters. Appendix
2 summarizes these locations together with the on-passengers per day information
forwarded by the TTC. As per the current criterion, these locations do not qualify for a new
shelter due to the low passenger usage (i.e. less than 50 on-passengers per day). Therefore,
staff cannot support the bus shelter installation at these locations.
Conclusion
Road and Traffic Services staff continues to support the installation of bus shelters at the 15
warrant locations as identified in Appendix 1.
Contact Name:
Steven Kodama
Assistant Director, Transportation
Works and Emergency Services
Telephone: 396-7148
Fax: 396-5681
E-mail: kodama@city,scarborough.on.ca
Gary H. Welsh
Director, Transportation Services
Works and Emergency Services
District 4
DDG/STK:ca
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