1999 Bus Passenger Shelter Installation Program

District 4 (Scarborough) - All Wards

The Scarborough Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report (May13, 1999) from the Director of Transportation Services, District 4:

Purpose:

To establish the District 4 (Scarborough) 1999 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 City of Toronto funding is required. Under the terms of the 1997 bus shelter advertising agreement between the former City of Scarborough and the bus shelter contractor, Mediacom Inc., these 15 new bus 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, numbered one to 15 inclusive, be adopted.

Council Reference/Background/History:

In 1997, the former City of Scarborough entered into an agreement with Mediacom Inc. Under the terms of this agreement Mediacom Inc. is allowed to install advertising panels in a specific number of existing bus shelters. In return, the City receives direct financial compensation, and Mediacom Inc. is obligated to repair and clean all existing shelters. Also, as part of the agreement, Mediacom Inc. installs a specific number of new bus shelters per year. The City, however, retains ownership of all bus shelters.

Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

As in 1998, 15 new bus passenger shelters will be installed at existing TTC bus stops in 1999. The selection of these locations has been based entirely on the warrant criteria adopted by the previous City of Scarborough Council in 1982.

The attached Appendix 1, "Warranted Locations", lists 15 prospective locations and 5 alternative selections for consideration. The locations are ranked in descending order of the highest "Total Point Value", which is based upon the following primary factors:

(1)Daily On-passenger Usage; (must exceed 50);

(2)Peak and Off-Peak Waiting Times;

(3)Service Area; and

(4)Exposure to Weather.

The list of five alternative locations has been provided in the event that Council does not approve some of the first 15 locations. The selection of the specific location of each bus shelter is intended to minimize the impact on adjacent properties as much as possible. All of the proposed bus shelters are located on the boulevards of the public road allowances. No encroachments onto private property 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 shelter in relation to their property. We received written objections from four property owners. Two of these objections are in the top 15 locations, and two are in the alternative list. The locations and objections are as follows, listed in descending order of priority ranking, and staff comments are provided.

(1)Location #3, McNicoll Avenue and Kennedy Road - southwest corner

Scarborough Agincourt

We received an objection from Tridel, The Residences At Bamburgh Gate Inc. to the installation of a bus shelter adjacent to the residential/ commercial development presently under construction on the southwest corner of McNicoll Avenue and Kennedy Road. The objection is as follows: "The shelter's location severely compromises the street line visibility of our retail facilities on the ground floor of our residential building, and in the free standing retail building to the west of the residential tower. We believe that any blockage of the retail facades from pedestrian and vehicular traffic will severely compromise its economic viability."

"We would like to note that we do not have an issue with the bus stop at this location, however, we would kindly ask that the bus shelter not be placed in the proposed location and would suggest that it be located west of our free standing commercial building".

Staff Comment:

The bus shelter should be in close proximity to the bus stop or else TTC patrons will not use it. The location proposed by Tridel is 106 metres from the bus stop. Staff also have concerns that moving this bus shelter and bus stop would increase the walking distance for pedestrians and may discourage ridership and encourage mid-block crossings. Usage of this stop is fairly high with the current daily on-passenger usage being 100 passengers.

(2)Location #15, Kennedy Road and Cardwell Avenue - southeast corner

Scarborough Agincourt

We received an objection from Caber Management Services Inc. on behalf of York Condominium Corp. No.460, 2365 Kennedy Road, to the installation of a bus shelter adjacent to their property. Their objection is that a bus shelter installed at this location would increase problems associated with litter and that a bus shelter may become a hang out for youths.

Staff Comment:

Bus shelters provide an important service to TTC patrons and the added comfort provided by the shelters may encourage more TTC ridership. Even though there may be isolated incidents of abuse, the benefits of the shelters outweigh the disbenefits.

(3)Location #A1, Warden Avenue and Tower Drive - southeast corner

Scarborough Wexford

We received an objection from the homeowner of 1311 Warden Avenue to the installation of a bus shelter adjacent to his property. He is concerned that the addition of a bus shelter at the existing TTC bus stop may contribute to an increase of litter. He is also suggesting the relocation of the bus stop to a far side location to the northeast corner of the intersection.

Staff Comment:

TTC and Transportation Services staff have conducted prior investigations relating to relocating this bus stop to a farside location. Staff have not supported this proposal because it would not benefit TTC patrons and it would cause delays to Warden Avenue through traffic.

(4)Location #A3, Warden Avenue and Manhattan Drive - southeast corner

Scarborough Wexford

We received an objection from the homeowners of 1269 Warden Avenue to the installation of a bus shelter adjacent to their property. They are concerned that the installation of a bus shelter may affect the enjoyment of their property and the health of their family.

Staff Comment:

Bus shelters provide an important service to TTC patrons and the added comfort provided by the shelters may encourage more TTC ridership. The overall benefits of the shelters seem to outweigh the concerns of the home owners.

Conclusions:

Transportation Services staff continues to support the installation of bus shelters at the 15 locations as identified in Appendix 1.

Contact Name:

Bruce Clayton

Supervisor, Traffic Engineering, Works and Emergency Services

Telephone: 396-7844

Fax: 396-5681

E-mail: clayton@city.scarborough.on.ca

APPENDIX 1

WARRANTED LOCATIONS - 1999

TOTAL

RANKLOCATION/WARDPOINT

VALUE

___________________________________________________________________

1Progress Avenue @ Markham Road125

Southeast Corner - Eastbound/Scarborough Malvern

2Progress Avenue @ Kennedy Road110

Southeast Corner - Eastbound/Scarborough Highland Creek

3McNicoll Avenue @ Kennedy Road105

Southwest Corner - Eastbound/Scarborough Agincourt

4Birchmount Road 1st. Stop south of Scarden Avenue105

West Side - Southbound/Scarborough Wexford

5Midland Avenue 1st. Stop south of McNicoll Avenue105

West Side - Southbound/Scarborough Agincourt

6McCowan Road @ Milner Avenue105

Northeast Corner - Northbound/Scarborough Malvern

7Steeles Avenue @ CNR Level Crossing (east of Kennedy)105

South Side - Eastbound/Scarborough Agincourt

8Steeles Avenue @ Redlea Avenue105

South Side - Eastbound/Scarborough Agincourt

9Nugget Avenue @ Markham Road105

Northwest Corner - Westbound/Scarborough Malvern

10Tapscott Avenue 1st. Stop south of Newgale Gate105

West Side - Southbound/Scarborough Malvern

11Steeles Avenue @ Kennedy Road (east inter.)105

South Side - Eastbound/Scarborough Agincourt

12Progress Avenue @ Estate Drive (west inter.)105

Northeast Corner - Westbound/Scarborough City Centre

13Progress Avenue @ Rosebank Drive105

Northwest Corner - Southbound/Scarborough Malvern

14McNicoll Avenue @ Silversprings Boulevard100

Southwest Corner - Eastbound/Scarborough Agincourt

15Kennedy Road @ Cardwell Avenue100

Southeast Corner - Northbound/Scarborough Agincourt

ALTERNATIVE LOCATIONS - 1999

TOTAL

RANKLOCATIONPOINT

VALUE

___________________________________________________________________

A1Warden Avenue @ Tower Drive100

Southeast Corner - Northbound/Scarborough Wexford

A2Midland Avenue @ Wolfe Avenue100

Southeast Corner - Northbound/Scarborough City Centre

A3Warden Avenue @ Manhattan Drive100

Southeast Corner - Northbound/Scarborough Wexford

A4Steeles Avenue @ Ferrier Street 90

South Side - eastbound/Scarborough Agincourt

A5Morningside Avenue 2nd. Stop south of McLevin Avenue 90

West Side - Southbound/Scarborough Malvern