Request for the Relocation of a Bus Stop on

Cosburn Avenue and Roosevelt Road

The East York Community Council recommends that:

(1)the following report (October 29, 1998) from the Director, Transportation Services, District One, be adopted; and

(3)the following report (November 30, 1998) from the Director, Transportation Services, District One, be received.

Purpose:

To report to the East York Community Council on the history of requests to relocate the eastbound bus stop on Cosburn Avenue at Roosevelt Road further east to a point in front of the Lawn Bowling Club.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

There are no financial implications with respect to the recommendations of this report.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that this report be received for information.

Background:

East York Community Council, at its November 12, 1998 meeting, deferred consideration of Item12, Report No. 18 which recommended the relocation of an existing bus stop on the south side of Cosburn Avenue, 23.4 metres west of Roosevelt Road, to a point 30.5 metres east of Roosevelt Road, pending a further report on the history of requests for the relocation of this bus stop.

Comments:

The issue of the relocation of the bus stop on the south side of Cosburn Avenue was the subject of reports to former Borough of East York Council in 1986, 1987 and 1992. At that time, Council concurred with staff and Toronto Transit Commission (T.T.C.) recommendations that the eastbound bus stop on Cosburn Avenue not be relocated further east. The T.T.C. did not support its relocation at that time because it could have created a request for a new bus stop in the vicinity of BarfieldAvenue or McKayfield Road, located to the west of the existing bus stop, which would also be in front of residential homes. A copy of the 1992 Committee report is attached to this report.

In 1993, the School Crossing immediately east of Roosevelt Road was replaced with a pedestrian crossover (PXO). The T.T.C. have indicated that, to maximize use of the pedestrian crossover, it would be preferable to relocate the bus stop to the far side of the intersection. Furthermore, they indicate that bus stops are currently relocated to the far side of new PXO installations throughout Toronto. The potential improvements in pedestrian use of the PXO override any concerns the T.T.C. have with future requests for additional bus stops in this area.

Conclusions:

The relocation of the eastbound bus stop located on the south side of Cosburn Avenue, east of Roosevelt Road, was studied a number of times between 1986 and 1992. Each time the Toronto Transit Commission recommended against its relocation further east because they felt it would create new requests for a bus stop in the vicinity of Barfield Avenue and McKayfield Road which would be in front of residential homes. In response to a recent request for another review of the feasibility of relocating the bus stop further east, the T.T.C., along with Transportation Services staff studied the feasibility of relocating the bus stop to in front of the Lawn Bowling Club, approximately 30.5 metres east of Cosburn Avenue and on the far side of the existing PXO. The T.T.C. state that bus stops located on the far side of PXO's improve the use of the PXO. They indicate that the benefits of relocating the bus stop override any future potential requests for additional bus stops in the area.

Contact Name and Telephone Number:

Peter Bartos, P.Eng.

Manager, Traffic Operations, District 1

Transportation Services

397-4486

The East York Community Council also submits the following report (November30, 1998) from the Director, Transportation Services, District One:

Purpose:

To report to the November 12, 1998, meeting of the East York Community Council on the proposed relocation of a bus stop on Cosburn Avenue at Roosevelt Road.

Financial Implications:

The costs associated with the recommendations of this report can be accommodated within the 1998 Current Operating Budget.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)the Toronto Transit Commission be requested to relocate an existing bus stop on the south side of Cosburn Avenue, 23.4 metres west of Roosevelt Road, to a point 30.5 metres east of Roosevelt Road, and;

(2)the appropriate City Officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto."

Background:

Councillor Prue received a request from a local resident dated October 19, 1998, requesting that the Toronto Transit Commission bus stop on the south side of Cosburn, west of Roosevelt Road be relocated closer to Roosevelt Road. The resident was concerned that children accessing/egressing the bus at this stop cross the west leg of Cosburn Avenue instead of proceeding to the pedestrian crossover at the east leg of Cosburn, causing a potential safety hazard. The resident feels that if the bus stop is moved closer to the pedestrian crossover, school children will be more inclined to use it.

Comments:

The existing bus stop for eastbound Toronto Transit Commission buses is located 23.4 metres (76.7 feet) west of Roosevelt Road. A pedestrian crossover is located 9.8 metres (32.1 feet) east of Roosevelt Road. Although it is possible to relocate this bus stop 14.4 metres (47.2 feet) further east towards the intersection of Roosevelt Road, children may continue to cross Cosburn Avenue on the west side of the intersection instead of proceeding across Roosevelt Road to the pedestrian crossover first.

Staff conducted a site inspection at this location and recommend that the bus stop be relocated to a point 21.0 metres (68.9 feet) east of the pedestrian crossover. At this location, children would be accessing/egressing the bus on the same side of the intersection as the pedestrian crossover, making usage of the pedestrian crossover more likely. Appendix 'A' illustrates the existing and proposed bus stop locations.

The Toronto Transit Commission has been consulted with respect to relocating this bus stop. They are prepared to relocate the bus stop to a point east of the pedestrian crossover. They also stated that a concrete pad will have to be installed at this location prior to the relocation of the bus stop, since it is presently a grass boulevard. The costs of installing the concrete pad can be accommodated in the current operating budget.

Conclusion:

A request was received by a local resident to relocate the eastbound Toronto Transit Commission bus stop on Cosburn Avenue at Roosevelt Road closer to the intersection in an effort to have children cross Cosburn Avenue at the pedestrian crossover on the east side of the intersection instead of the west side of the intersection. The resident is concerned that the children crossing the street at an unprotected crossing constitutes a safety hazard.

Works and Emergency Services staff have investigated the concern and recommend that the bus stop be relocated to a point 21.0 metres (68.9 feet) east of the pedestrian crossover. Since this location would be on the same side of the intersection as the pedestrian crossover, children may be more inclined to use it. Toronto Transit Commission staff concur with our recommendation, and advised that a concrete pad will have to be installed before the bus stop can be moved. Costs to install this concrete pad can be accommodated in the current operating budget.

Contact Name and Telephone Number:

Bryan Muir, Transportation Technologist

778-2227

bmuir@borough.eastyork.on.ca

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Mr. Andrew Payne, East York, appeared before the East York Community Council in connection with the foregoing.