Toronto Transit Commission=s 1999 Service Plan

- Results of Consultation

The Urban Environment and Development Committee recommends that the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services be authorized to undertake a study with respect to the Toronto Transit Commission=s request outlined in point 5 of the communication dated November 20, 1998, from the General Secretary, Toronto Transit Commission, which reads:

"Request the City of Toronto to take the steps necessary to build a bus driveway connecting Richview Road to Eglinton Avenue, because this connection is needed to introduce the 73 Royal York service on La Rose Avenue and Richview Road, as described in this report, and to respond on this matter to the Commission by March 1, 1999"

and report thereon to the Toronto Transit Commission.

The Urban Environment and Development Committee reports, for the information of Council, having:

(1)requested the Toronto Transit Commission to maintain the status quo with respect to the 74 Mt. Pleasant route pending further consultation with the Ward Councillors and requested that this matter be reconsidered at its January 13, 1999 meeting; and

(2)requested staff from the Toronto Transit Commission to meet with affected Ward Councillors to consider alternatives.

The Urban Environment and Development Committee submits the report (November 20, 1998) from the General Secretary, Toronto Transit Commission:

At its meeting on November 18, 1998, the Commission considered a report dated November 18, 1998, entitled A1999 Service Plan - Results of Consultation.@

The Commission approved Recommendation Nos. 1, 4, 5 and 6 contained in the above report, as listed below:

(1)Approve the introduction of the following service changes for a trial period, beginning on February 14, 1999, noting that no comments were received in opposition to these changes:

-160 Bathurst North - Removal of late evening service

-307 Eglinton West - New overnight service to Pearson Airport

-309 Finch West - New overnight service to Humberwood Loop

-83 Jones - New Saturday service

-74 Mt. Pleasant - New Monday-Friday evening service

-131 Nugget - New Sunday and holiday service

-Rustic Road and Falstaff Avenue - New service

-86 Scarborough - Removal of non-summer weekend service to Toronto Zoo

-85 Sheppard East - Direct service east of Meadowvale Road on weekends

-53 Steeles East - New service on Elson Street east of McCowan Road

-168 Symomgton - New service on Weston Road to West Park Hospital

-168 Symington - Removal of late evening service north of St. Clair Avenue

-319 Wilson - New overnight service on Martin Grove Road north of Finch Avenue

-165 Weston Road North - New Sunday and holiday late evening service to Finch Avenue.

(4)Note that the following proposals for service changes, which had not been recommended in the 1999 service plan, have been re-evaluated by staff at the request of City Councillors, and are still not recommended:

-51 Leslie - Sunday service

-Rivalda Road - Service north of Bradstock Road

(5)Request the City of Toronto to take the steps necessary to build a bus driveway connecting Richview Road to Eglinton Avenue, because this connection is needed to introduce the 73 Royal York service on La Rose Avenue and Richview Road, as described in this report, and to respond on this matter to the Commission by March 1, 1999.

(6)Forward this report to the City of Toronto, all City Councillors, and the Town of Markham.@

The Commission approved Recommendation No. 2, subject to the following amendments:

-Referring the proposed service change concerning the 49 Bloor West and 50 Burnhamthorpe back to staff to investigate the alternative options suggested by the deputants, with the local area councillors to be included in any discussions which take place in this regard, and further that Aone way@ bus service on Markland Drive be a condition of any options that are investigated.

-Deferring consideration of the proposed service change for the 115 Silver Hills to permit Councillor Flint an opportunity to appear before the Commission on this matter; so such recommendation reads, as follows:

(2)Approve the introduction of the following service changes for a trial period, beginning on February 14, 1999, or as soon thereafter as possible following road changes, noting that comments of varying degrees of opposition to the changes were received, as described in this report:

-12 Kingston Road - Removal of service east of St. Clair Avenue

-74 Mt. Pleasant and 103 Mt. Pleasant North - Combination into one route and new service on Merton Street (with temporary operation on Davisville Avenue until required road changes are made on Merton Street)

-73 Royal York - New Service on La Rose Avenue and Richview Road (road changes required)

-76 Royal York South - New service on Grand Avenue

-88 South Leaside - Removal of Saturday evening service to Thorncliffe Park

-68 Warden - Extension to Steeles Avenue.

The Commission amended Recommendation No. 3 by striking out the Recommendation and replacing therein the following:

(3)That staff be directed to proceed with the original proposal for the 80 Queensway service, as detailed in the 1999 Service Plan, and that commencement of this service be deferred for one Board Period; and further that in the interim TTC staff meet with the local area councillors and City Transportation staff in an effort to resolve the issue of bus stops on Lake Shore Boulevard.

In approving Recommendation No. 5 noted above, it is hereby requested that the City of Toronto take the necessary steps to build a bus driveway connecting Richview Road to Eglinton Avenue, as this connection is needed to introduce the 73 Royal York service on La Rose Avenue and Richview Road, as described in the report, and further that the City of Toronto respond on this matter to the Commission by March 1, 1999.

The foregoing is forwarded to the City of Toronto Urban Environment and Development Committee for necessary action, as well as, all Toronto City Councillors and the Town of Markham for information.

________

The Urban Environment and Development Committee also had before it the following reports/communications, which was forwarded to all Members of Council with the agenda of the Urban Environment and Development Committee for its meeting on January 11, 1999, and a copy thereof is on file in the office of the City Clerk:

-(November 18, 1998) titled A1999 Service Plan - Results of Consultation@, appended to the report (November 20, 1998) from the General Secretary, Toronto Transit Commission; and

-(January 11, 1999) from Andrew Schulz

The following persons appeared before the Urban Environment and Development Committee in connection with the foregoing matter:

-Councillor Adams; and

-Councillor Walker