Mississauga Transit (MT) Buses on Burnhamthorpe Road

(Markland-Centennial - Ward 4)

The Urban Environment and Development Committee recommends that Council enact a by-law to prohibit Mississauga Transit buses from using Burnhamthorpe Road east of highway 427, and that the Minister of Transportation be requested to approve the passing of such a by-law.

The Committee reports, for the information of Council, having requested the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services to report to the Urban Environment and Development Committee on turning the Dundas West High Occupancy Vehicle lanes into an exclusive bus lane with or without a rolled curb.

The Urban Environment and Development Committee submits the following report (December 4, 1998) from the General Secretary, Toronto Transit Commission:

At its meeting on Wednesday, December 2, 1998, the Commission had before them a report dated November 18, 1998 entitled, "Mississauga Transit (MT) Buses On Burnhamthorpe Road: Status Update."

Recommendations:

Recommending that:

(1)City Council, through the City of Toronto Urban Environment and Development Committee, be requested to enact a by-law to prohibit Mississauga Transit buses from using Burnhamthorpe Road east of Highway 427; and

(2)City Council, through the City of Toronto Urban Environment and Development Committee, consider turning the Dundas West High Occupancy Vehicle lanes into an exclusive bus lane with or without a rolled curb;

Background:

The Commission received the above report and referred it back to staff for update and inclusion of the following newspaper articles:

-Toronto Star, October 8, 1998;

-Toronto Star, November 26, 1998;

-Toronto Sun, November 28, 1998; and

-Toronto Star, November 29, 1998 (Royson James article).

The Commission also approved the following:

1.That platform leases continue on a month to month basis for those Mississauga Transit buses using Dundas and Bloor;

2.That staff take necessary measures to ensure that no Mississauga Transit buses which utilize Burnhamthorpe Road east of Highway 427 be permitted in any part of the Islington Station;

3.That Mississauga Council be advised that the TTC is prepared to enter into discussions with Mississauga Transit to resolve this matter and the Chair and Vice-Chair be appointed to meet to continue discussions with Mississauga Transit;

4.That staff do all things necessary to support the Chair and Vice-Chair in these discussions;

5.That the TTC request City of Toronto Council through the City of Toronto Urban Environment and Development Committee to enact a by-law to prohibit Mississauga Transit buses from using Burhamthorpe Road east of Highway 427;

6.That the TTC enlist the support of MPP Chris Stockwell in gaining the Minister of Transportation's approval of the by-law;

7.That staff bring forward a report on the enforcement aspect of the proposed by-law, including who will enforce it and related costs;

8.That the TTC request City of Toronto Council through the City of Toronto Urban Environment and Development Committee to consider turning the Dundas West HOV lanes into an exclusive bus lane with or without a rolled curb;

9.That staff bring forward a report on the possible integration of Mississauga Transit and TTC routes using Burnhamthorpe Road and Islington Station; and further that Mississauga Transit be requested to provide their comments in this regard;

10.That the TTC request comments from Mayor Lastman's Office with respect to this matter;

11.That Mayor McCallion be advised of the actions taken by the Commission at the meeting today, as well as, the Emergency Commission meeting held on Thursday, November 26, 1998.

The Commission also received communications concerning this matter from Mayor McCallion, City of Mississauga Transit and O. Doyle, Solicitor, City of Toronto.

The foregoing is forwarded to the City of Toronto Urban Environment and Development Committee for necessary action, as it relates to Item Nos. 5 and 8 noted above.

The Urban Environment and Development Committee also submits the following report (February 2, 1999) from the General Secretary, Toronto Transit Commission:

At its meeting on Wednesday, January 27, 1999, the Commission considered the attached report entitled, "Mississauga Transit Buses On Burnhamthorpe Road: Status Update No. 2."

The Commission received the above report for information, noting:

-As of December 1, 1998, Mississauga Transit moved the four routes which travel on Burnhamthorpe Road, east of Highway 427, out of Islington Station, and is picking up the passengers for these routes on Bloor Street, west of Islington Avenue;

-Transit Customers transferring from the TTC to the Mississauga Transit pick-up area on Bloor Street have been attempting to exit Islington Station illegally and unsafely via the bus driveway in order to avoid the longer, inconvenient walk around the block from the station entrance on Islington Avenue to the Bloor Street pick-up area. This is creating a potentially unsafe situation; other than this, no significant operating problems have been identified with the current operating arrangements;

-This inconvenient on-street transfer for transit customers will become more significant as the weather becomes colder, and will start to drive more of these customers away from the TTC and Mississauga Transit;

-Mississauga Transit has applied to the City of Toronto for permission to erect shelters on Bloor Street, at their pick-up area, to protect waiting customers as much as possible from inclement weather. Toronto Works and Emergency Services has stated that it is technically feasible to install such shelters on the sidewalk but has denied this request and, so, no shelters can been erected. These actions will further contribute to the loss of transit customers at a time when transit is struggling to hold its ground in the urban travel market;

-On December 1, 2, and 3, 1998, the Burnhamthorpe Residents for Traffic Safety conducted walking protests on a crosswalk located on Burnhamthorpe Road, east of The East Mall, to express their opposition to Mississauga Transit's continued use of Burnhamthorpe Road. These protests did not affect TTC bus service.

The foregoing is forwarded to the City of Toronto Urban Environment & Development Committee, City of Toronto Transportation Department, and the City of Mississauga for information.

The Urban Environment and Development Committee also submit the following communication (January 25, 1999) from the City Clerk, City of Mississauga:

This is to advise you that the enclosed Resolution 10-99 was passed by the Council of The Corporation of the City of Mississauga at its meeting on January 20, 1999, which I believe is self-explanatory.

Would you please bring this request to the attention of Toronto City Council as soon as possible and advise this office of Council's decision.

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(Resolution 10-99 passed by the Council of

The Corporation of the City of Mississauga

at its meeting on January 20, 1999)

Whereas Resolution 356-98 passed by Council on November 25, 1998, requested that the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) delay any action of curtailing Mississauga Transit use of the Islington Subway Station until April 30, 1999, in order to permit exploration of various alternatives;

And whereas the TTC at its meeting on December 2, 1998, approved the platform leases on a month to month basis for those Mississauga Transit buses using Dundas Street and Bloor Street, but instructed its staff "...to ensure that no Mississauga Transit buses which utilize Burnhamthorpe Road east of Highway 427 be permitted in any part of the Islington Station";

And whereas this action requires that Mississauga Transit passengers using the Burnhamthorpe Road service be picked up on Bloor Street;

And whereas by letter dated November 27, 1998, the Commissioner of transportation and Works requested permission to erect three bus shelters on the sidewalk on the north side of Bloor Street immediately west of Islington Avenue to accommodate these passengers;

And whereas by letter dated December 16, 1998, the Director of Transportation Services (District 2), City of Toronto, denied this request at this time given the current discussions;

And whereas the Council of The Corporation of the City of Mississauga desires to pursue this request;

Now therefore be it resolved that the Council of the City of Toronto be requested to approve the installation of three bus shelters on Bloor Street (immediately west of Islington Avenue).

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The Urban Environment and Development Committee also had before it the following material, which was forwarded to all Members of Council with the agenda of the Urban Environment and Development Committee for its meeting of March 31, 1999, and copies thereof are on file in the office of the City Clerk:

-report No. 9 (January 27, 1999) from the Toronto Transit Commission, appended to their communication dated February 2, 1999

-communication (December 16, 1998) from the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services, City of Toronto, addressed to the Commissioner of Transportation and Works, City of Mississauga; communication (December 4, 1998) from the Town of Caledon, addressed to the Mayor, City of Mississauga; communication (December 4, 1998) from the General Manager, Toronto Transit Commission, addressed to the Mayor, City of Mississauga; appended to the communication (January 25, 1999) from the City Clerk, City of Mississauga

-communication (March 3, 1999) from Rita Alldrit, Burnhamthorpe Residents for Traffic Safety

The Committee also had before it a confidential report (March 16, 1999) from the City Solicitor which has been forwarded to Members of Council under separate cover.

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

-Rita Alldrit, obo Burnhamthorpe Residents for Traffic Safety;

-Councillor Lindsay Luby, Kingsway-Humber;

-Councillor Dick O'Brien, Markland-Centennial; and

-Councillor Mario Giansante, Kingway-Humber.